- Address: 1805 Baekun-ri, Suryun-myeon, Seongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
- Elevation above sea level: 1430 m
- Year of foundation: 1972
- Area: 80 square meters. km
In the province of Gyeongsangnam-do in South Korea, the Kayasan National Park (Gaya-san or Kaya-san) is located. It is located around the eponymous mountain, which is included in its composition, and attracts tourists with its unique nature.
Description of the protected area
The territory of the landmark covers an area of more than 80 square meters. km and lies in the north-west side of the city of Busan . The national park is located some distance from the settlements, so it was not damaged during the hostilities. In general, the area around the mountain range of Kayasan is considered unique: it seems to protect the higher forces from various damages.
The official opening of the National Park No. 9 occurred in 1972. During the reign of the Joseon Dynasty, the rocks were included in the eight best natural landscapes of the country. The mountains consist of a large number of peaks, the height of which exceeds the mark of 1000 m. All of them are connected to each other and form a "scrolled scroll". This territory has an attractive landscape, represented in the form:
- small waterfalls;
- numerous valleys;
- Streams that flow along mountain slopes and form the river Kayachehon;
- gorges, passing into caves.
The most famous of these is the grotto of Honnudon. It is famous for water, which because of the large number of fallen leaves has a bright red color.
Mount Kayasan has 2 peaks:
- Sanhwanbon - its height is 1430 m above sea level;
- Chilbulbon - is at around 1433 m.
From these peaks majestic panoramas are opened, and on the slopes of mountain ranges special tourist routes are laid. They are suitable for fans of mountain sports.
Sights of the National Park Kayasan
In the protected area grow 380 varieties of plants. Some of them are more than a thousand years old. Also in Kayasan you can meet more than 100 representatives of animals and birds. In addition to the unique nature, on the territory of the national park there are such attractions as:
- Haeinsa Temple is a famous Buddhist monastery erected in the south-western part of the mountain in 802 and is part of the 3 most famous monasteries of the country. Here in the specially equipped pavilions are kept the ancient sacred records, called Tripitaka Koreana (national treasure No. 32). They are carved on wooden plates, the total number of which exceeds 80 thousand. This building is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The sculpture of Buddha is a stone figure, carved right in the rock. The statue is a national treasure under number 518.
- Monument of Kenvans - it is in the temple of Banja. The sculpture was nominated as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. This treasure has №128.
Features of visit
The entrance to the national park is free. It is best to come here in the warm season. If travelers want to get acquainted with the life of monks living in the temples of Kayasan, their rituals and traditions, they can stay here for the night. At the same time, you will eat, sleep and lead a lifestyle the same as the ministers of the temple. For example, tourists are woken up at 4 am for morning prayer.
For those who wish to conquer one of the peaks of the mountain, tourist routes are laid in the national park. One of them leads to the Namsanjeeil-boon peak (Chongbulsan). This rock symbolizes morality and wisdom. The path to it takes about 4 hours. The time of recovery depends on the physical condition of the tourists.
In the national park you can buy an imprint of an old plate created on rice paper. Its cost is about $ 9.
How to get there?
From Seoul to Kayasan you can get to:
- aircraft;
- bus, which follows the route Songgye - Suwon - Baekwoon - dong;
- train, direction KTX Donghae Line.