Songnisan 1,058m

Why it is one of the 100 famous mountains

Celebrated since ancient times for its magnificent landscape, earning it names like the Second Geumgang or Sogeumgang, it is home to more than 1,000 species of flora and fauna including the Korean berchemia and white forsythia. Designated as a national park in 1970, it is famous for Beopjusa Temple, Munjangdae, the Jeongipumsong Pine Tree (Natural Monument No. 103), and Korean berchemia trees (Natural Monument No. 207).

About Songnisan

Designated as a national park in 1970, Songnisan is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Korea. Beginning with its highest peak, Cheonhwangbong Peak (1058.4m), eight peaks including Birobong Peak, Gilsangbong Peak, and Munsubong Peak, along with eight rock platforms including Ipseokdae, Munjangdae, and Sinseondae, and eight stone gates curve like an arched bow. These fantastic granite peaks and the lush forest covering the mountain harmonize beautifully with the thousand-year-old Beopjusa Temple to form a splendid landscape.

Unlike the steep Hwabuk-myeon side, the broad slopes of the Naesongni-myeon side embrace historic sites and scenic treasures such as Beopjusa Temple, Bokcheonam Hermitage, Jungsajaam Hermitage, and Sanghwanam Hermitage. Nestled between layered peaks are Eunpokdong Valley, Yongyudong Valley, Ssangnyong Falls, and Osong Falls, making it a treasure trove of natural resources inhabited by 1,016 species of flora and fauna. Cheonhwangbong Peak is the headwaters of Sampasu, one of the three renowned historic waters of Joseon (Sampasu, Dalcheonsu, and Utongsu); rainwater falling here flows east into the Nakdonggang River, south into the Geumgang River, and west into the Namhangang River.

Rising at the junction where the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range, the spine of the Korean Peninsula, meets the Hannam Geumbukjeongmaek ridge stretching toward the West Sea, Songnisan (1,058.4m) is known as one of the Eight Scenic Views of Joseon, Sogeumgang, or the Second Geumgang. Administratively, this renowned mountain spans Boeun in Chungbuk and Sangju in Gyeongbuk.

Public transport

Starting points are Boeun or Cheongju.

- From Boeun (☎ 043-543-1580) to Songnisan: Local buses run from 07:20 to 21:30 at 10-minute intervals. Takes 20 minutes.

- From Cheongju (☎ 043-234-6543) to Songnisan: Intercity buses run via Boeun 29 times a day from 06:30 to 20:40. Takes 1 hour 50 minutes.