Mt. Hambaek, 1,573 meters above sea level, stands between Taebaek-si and Jeongseon-gun. From its summit you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains such as Taebaek, Ilwol, Baekun and Gariwang. Along its ridge are located a group of trees such as yews and dead ones, which are used in preparing herbal medicines. According to Samguk Yusa (a history of the Three Kingdoms), Mt Hambaeksan was once known as Mt. Myogosan, meaning a grandiose, spiritual mountain, and thus came to be HOME to many temples, including Bonjekam, Simjeokam, Myojeokam and Unjeokam. One thousand three hundred years ago, the monk Jajang Yulsa, in accordance with a revelation from Munsu Bodhisattva, found a ring to expel a huge serpent, and on that spot he built Jeokmyeol Bogung Pagoda and Sumano Pagoda to keep the bones of the Buddha. As a result, a yew tree standing next to Jeokmyeo Bogung is known as Seonjangdan, a reference to the cane which Jajang Yulsa thrust into the ground which subsequently came to life. Gukrakgyo and the valley below Jeongamsa are additionally famous for fresh-water salmon, designated as Natural Treasure ¢à73.

Hwabangjae ¡æ At the rear of the village there is a sign giving transportation information ¡æ Siribong Peak (1,214 m) ¡æ a 1,238 meter-high peak ¡æ Myo 2gi ¡æ Fence for national facilities ¡æ Directions to Gohan via National Road ¢à 414 ¡æ Korea Sports Association's Taebaek Branch Village ¡æ A climbing sign ¡æ The summit (takes 15 minutes)

Ssarijae ¡æ Undaebong peak ¡æ Crossroads milestone ¡æ Junghambaek ¡æ The summit

Jeolgol (temple valley) ¡æ Simjeokgol(valley) ¡æ Crossroads milestone ¡æUndaebong peak ¡æ Ssarijae

*Note that there is no hiking path between Simjeokgol and the crossroads milestone.*

Tourist Cultural Division: 550-2081 / 550-1530
Tourism Information Bureau: 550-2828