Byeonsan 509m

Why it is one of the 100 famous mountains

Selected for its outstanding landscape harmonizing dense forests, valleys, sandy and rocky coastlines, and ancient temples, as well as its designation as a national park in 1988. It is uniquely situated directly adjacent to the sea. The area features Jikso Falls, Gamaso Pool, Bongnae Gugok Valley, Chaeseokgang Cliff, Jeokbyeokgang Cliff, and temples such as Naesosa Temple and Gaeamsa Temple, and serves as a habitat for rare flora and fauna such as horned holly and box-leaved holly.

About Byeonsan

Stretching out into the West Sea from Buan-eup, the Byeonsanbando Peninsula is filled with scenic spots everywhere. If you want the ocean, there are beaches; if you want to climb mountains, there is Naebyeonsan; and for those who enjoy walking, there are the clear waters of Buanho Lake—this is Byeonsan.

Unlike typical mountains where ridges branch out like rafters from a ridge beam, Byeonsan has outer mountain ridges enclosing an open center. Starting from the highest peak, Uisangbong Peak (509m), the mountain ridge circles clockwise past Ugeumsanseong Fortress, Sangyeobong Peak (398m), Ongnyeobong Peak (433m), Yonggakbong Peak, Sebong Peak (403m), Gwaneumbong Peak (424m), Sinseonbong Peak (488m), and Ssangseonbong Peak (459m), eventually ending across from Uisangbong Peak at Haechang, where the waters of Buandam Dam flow into the West Sea.

Located adjacent to the West Sea, Byeonsan stands as an independent mountain cluster separated from the Honam Jeongmaek Ridge by the Honam Plain. Since ancient times, this mountain was called Neunggasan, Yeongjusan, or Bongnaesan, and has been counted among the five celebrated mountains of the Honam region.

Designated as a national park in 1988, Byeonsan features six peaks exceeding 400m, including Gisangbong Peak, Mangpodae, Sinseonbong Peak, Ssangseongbong Peak, Ongnyeobong Peak, and Sebong Peak. Its valleys are dotted with magnificent sights such as Waryongso Pool, Gamaso Pool, Jikso Falls, and Seonggyepokpo Falls. In addition, the area is packed with diverse attractions, including the spectacular sea cliffs of Chaeseokgang, Ugeumbawi Rock and Fortress, Gulbawi Rock, Bingbong Peak, Nakjodae, Naesosa Temple, Wolmyeongam Hermitage, and Gaeamsa Temple.

Public transport

The starting point is Buan. If a direct bus to Buan is unavailable, take a bus to Jeonju first, where frequent buses connect to Buan.

> Buan → Naesosa Temple: Runs every 30 minutes

> Buan → Gyeokpo: Runs every 10 minutes

> Gyeokpo → Naesosa Temple: Runs 7 times daily