The Best Mountain in the North of Hangang (River)
Soyosan of Dongducheon
It is autumn with cold air, the blue sky and mountains tinged with red. It is great to go to see the scarlet maple leaves in this season of reading and the season of high sky and stout horses.
Sogeumgang of Gyeonggi-do
Soyosan (587m) is called Sogeumgang of Gyeonggi-do. It was early morning, but the mountain was already crowded with visitors who came from across the nation. It took ten minutes from the parking lot of Soyosan to Iljumun on foot. The path to Iljumun was a great course to enjoy the autumn scenery of the mountain. There were fallen leaves on the path, the messenger of the autumn.
Soyosan is located in Soyo-dong, Dongducheon, Gyeonggi-do, and is well known as the best mountain in the north of Hangang. Although it is a small mountain, it has a unique shape and the exceptionally beautiful maple leaves, being nicknamed as Sogeumgang of Gyeongg-do. It is also well known among the Buddhists, as Wonhyodaesa found great illumination in the mountain. There are famous tourist attractions such as Jajaeam (small temple) and Wonhyo Waterfall. As there is a spacious parking lot under the mountain, it has gained popularity as a destination for one-day trip of residents of Seoul Metropolitan areas.
There Are No Clothes of Seonnye in Seonnyetang
We can go up to the mountain via full-scale mountain passes after passing Iljumun. There was Wonhyo Waterfall with the wonderful sound of falling water right by the pass. About ten minutes’ walk brought me to the pass to Jajaeam. As the very place where Wonhyodaesa had great illumination, Jajaeam has a unique atmosphere. Visitors can feel the depth of mortification amid the tranquil atmosphere at Jajaeam. There was Cheongryang Waterfall, an ideal place to take a rest before going up the mountain to see the beautiful maple leaves.
A few minutes’ walk to the direction of Habaekwundae brought me to the path to Seonnyeotang. The concealed hiding place provided the ideal setting to feel the solitude of autumn, and I could hear the loud sound of footstep on rustling fallen leaves. There were many rocks on a steep slope, but it was a great path where we can enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountain. Finally, Seonnyeotang burst into view. It was a long, narrow pond with the width of 1m, and there were two or three terraced puddles. A friend who accompanied me said, “There are no clothes of Seonnyeo in Seonnyeotang,” and my tiredness disappeared.
From Kalbawi to Uisangdae via Nahandae
There was the two-way junction to Jungbaekwundae and Kalbawi. I decided to take the shortcut to Kalbawi. It was a steep slope to cross the gorge of the mountain, but it was not so hard to climb up the path thanks to the wonderful view. It was not a high mountain, but there were six peaks covered with fantastic rocks, which were not easily achievable. I was short of breath and steps slowed down. I was all in sweat but the mountain breeze was cool. Finally, the end of the shortcut between Sangbaekwundae and Kalbawi appeared, and I continued climbing up the mountain. Many stones were telling that I was going close to Kalbawi. The stones were narrow and horizontally long. The pass covered with rocks required me to take steps carefully. After passing Kalbawi, a gentle slope to Nahandae appeared. I could see the sea of clouds through the trees. The City of Dongducheon was covered with a sea of clouds, and I had an illusion that I was going up a mountain in a remote place. I quickened my step to go to Nahandae and enjoy a beautiful view. The clouds were even more beautiful at the rock of Nahandae. I felt like stepping on the clouds. Uisangdae also offered a superb view. There was a perfect harmony of diverse shapes of stones and rocks, scarlet maple leaves and white clouds at Uisangdae.
Looking Back on Life
When we are in downtown, it is difficult to fully enjoy the beauty and the wonders of the nature. Fully encountering with the wonders of the nature allows us to realize the value of the nature and respect it. We cannot fully realize what it means to have the nature without walking in the unspoiled nature.
It took about 20 minutes from Nahandae to Uisangdae. The top of the mountain was covered with fantastic rocks and stones, offering a scenic spot perfect for having lunch. Looking back on the way to the top, it took less than two hours. The path of Soyosan (Mt.) was just as great as that of famous mountains. There were a rocky path, steep and gentle slops, and peaks with fantastic rocks. The deep valleys were desolate, showing the depth of mortification of Wonhyodaesa.
[Mountain Pass]
Course 1: Office → Habaekwundae → Jungbaekwundae → Seonnyeotang → Office (One a half hours)
Course 2: Office → Habaekwundae → Jungbaekwundae → Sangbaekwundae → Well → Office (Two and a half hours)
Course 3: Office → Habaekwundae → Jungbaewundae → Sangbaewundae → Nahandae → Geumsonggol → Office (3 hours)
Course 4: Office → Habaekwundae → Jungbaekwundae → Sangbaewundae → Nahandae → Uisangdae → Office (3 and a half hours)
Course 5: Office → Habaewundae → Jungbaekwundae → Sangbaekwundae → Nahandae → Uisangdae → Gongjubong → Office (4 hours)
[Tourist Information]
Admission Fee: KRW 2,000 per adult, KRW 1,200 per soldier and student, and KRW 650 for minor
Contact: 031-860-2065
◆ Location
Search Keyword: Soyosan
Address: Sangbongam-dong, Dongducheon, Gyeonggi-do
By Car
Parking fees – KRW 2,000 for small vehicles, KRW 3,000 for mid-sized vehicles and KRW 5,000 for large vehicles
National Road No. 3 25km from Uijeongbu Seoul Uijeongbu National Road No. 3 Dongducheon City National Road No. 3 bound for Jeongok 5.3km Turn right at Soyo-dong 400m Soyosan Parking Lot
Uijeongbu IC of Seoul Ring Expressway Turn left to the direction of Uijeongbu (distance: 30km) Turn left at Jangam Jugong Samgeori to the direction of Yangju (distance: 26km) Singok Underground Passage Turn left at Geumo Sageori to the direction of Yangju and Goyang (distance: 23km) Turn right at the intersection of Yangju City Hall to the direction of Dongducheon (distance: 19km) Turn left at Songnae Samgeori to the direction of Yangju (distance: 9.5km) Go straight with the stream on the left side Turn right at Sangpaegyo Sageori (distance: 4km) Turn left at the first three-way junction to the direction of Soyosan Turn right at Soyosan Sageori Soyosan
Songchu IC of Seoul Ring Expressway Turn right to the direction of Ilyeong (distance: 31km) Turn right at Songchu Checkpoint Samgeori of National Road No. 39 to the direction of Uijeongbu (distance: 18km) Turn left at Gyeongmin Square of Uijeongbu to the direction of the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office (National Road No. 39) Underground Passage Turn left at Nokyang Sageori to the direction of Dongducheon (distance: 21km) National Road No. 3 Turn right at Sangpaegyo Sageori (distance: 4km) Turn left at the first three-way junction to the direction of Soyosan Turn right at Soyosan Sageori Soyosan
Public Transportation
By Subway:
Soyosan Subway Station, Subway Line No. 1 >> 10 minutes’ walk
By Bus:
Suyu Station, Subway Line No. 4 Bus No. 36, 39, 136 and 139 Soyosan Stop
◆ Adjacent Tourist Destinations: Sinbuk Spa Fantasium, Herb Island, Sanjeonghosu (Lake), Myeongseongsan, Ildong Spa, the Garden of Morning Calm, Namhangang Driveway and Korea Film Council in Namyangju
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, which is larger than the entire area of Gunpo City (36.36k
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