Songnisan National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Songnisan National Park (속리산국립공원, /soŋɾisankukɾipkoŋwʌn/) is in the landlocked province of North Chungcheong in South Korea.

Songnisan means “Remote from the Ordinary World”, which should appropriate given its remoteness in the center of South Korea, but rather less so when considering that the park gets about 1.5 million visitors a year.

Designated as a national park in 1970, it is home to several temples, mountains and abundant wildlife.

Famed for its scenery covering 274 km², the mountains have dramatic layered clouds that can be seen on rainy days.

A good place to find wildlife with Otters, Flying squirrels and Mandarin ducks, as well as protected species including the Small-eared cat and the marten,

36°32′24″N 127°49′48″E

Map of Songnisan National Park

The Beopjusa temple is located well in the park, and connected by road.

Beopjusa Temple area:

• Adults: ₩4,000, group: ₩3,700
• Youths: ₩2,000, group: ₩1,600
• Children: ₩1,000, group: ₩800

There are additional fees for parking and facilities use.

• 36.54127.831 Beopjusa Temple (법주사), 405 Beopjusa-ro Boeun-gun, 충청북도 보은군 속리사면 법주사로 405. Constructed in 553, is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on the slopes of Songnisan. Visitors can spend time here in a temple stay. The temple is one out of 7 to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.  (updated Dec 2016)

There are many hiking trails throughout the park. Some are closed during times when the authorities believe it to be dangerous.

• 36.52127.821 CU store, Sanae-ri, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun. Shop located deep in the park.  (updated Dec 2016)

• Beopjusa Temple. This Buddhist temple also provides Temple Stays. (updated Dec 2016)

The village of Sanae-ri has a lot of accommodation options:

• 36.53127.821 Lake Hill Hotel (레이크힐스호텔속리산), 198-1 Sanae-ri, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun.  (updated Dec 2016)