- Address: Odaesan-ro, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun
- Phone: +82 33-332-6417
- Website: odae.knps.or.kr
The Odeasan National Park received this status in 1975. It is located in the mountains , and its name translates as "5 plateau". The highest peak is Pirobon (1563 m), all the other mountains are not much inferior to it in height. The park is popular with tourists due to the dense beautiful mixed forests, which are pleasant to walk in any weather. In addition, they go here to visit one of the main shrines of Korean Buddhism - the Woljozsa temple .
Odesan is a great place for walking
The National Park is located in the mountains in the northeast of South Korea , in the Kenwondo region. Next to it are other parks, Soraksan and Thebekeshan. They are united by a common mountain range that runs throughout the province.
If the neighboring parks are popular with beautiful views of cliffs and rocks that go up, then Odesan is more homogeneous and calm. It can be a long walk in the forest, located at an altitude of more than 1000 m. This type of mountains is typical for South Korea, it is characterized by a smooth silhouette and slopes completely covered with coniferous and deciduous trees.
The area of the forest cover of the park is more than 300 square meters. km, which is considered the largest massif in the whole country. Mostly, fir, pine and spruce grow here, but there are also deciduous trees - maples, aspen, alder. Walking in the park, you can meet and living here animals, for example, harmless deer or dangerous local wild boars.
All routes have markup and gain altitude gradually, so suitable for any age. If you find yourself here in the summer, at the height of the rainy season, you can see an amazing sight - a cascade of 9 Kuren waterfalls. Although the height of them and a small, but the power of the falling water is impressive and fascinating.
Woljozsa Temple
Odesan is of interest not only for nature lovers. Here are located Buddhist temples and monasteries , which store the national and historical heritage of Korea. In the church of Woljozs you can get acquainted with the history of the Korean dynasty and the treasures that were saved after the wars and fires that befell the monastery in different periods of history.
The most interesting thing about the church is that you should definitely see:
- Stone pagoda built by Octagon is included in the list of cultural heritage of the country;
- the oldest bell that was cast in 725, it still sounds great and is considered a national treasure;
- Museum of Songbo with an exposition of 206 relics, which managed to be preserved or restored after the fire of 1953.
Sanvonsa Temple
The monastery is not as old as Woljeongsa, and a little less popular, but also worthy of attention. To get into it, you need to go up a beautiful mountain road about 8 km. From the building of Sangwons, there are magnificent views of the mountain valley. The construction itself is no less impressive. The graceful temple has not suffered in numerous wars due to its successful location and preserved the original architecture.
What's worth seeing in Sangwonce:
- Statues of two cats , who, according to legend, once saved King Sejong of Korea. They did not let him into the temple at the moment when the hired killer was waiting for him. In gratitude, the king ordered to put a monument at the entrance to them. Since then, there is a legend that the one who caresses these cats will realize the most cherished desires.
- Kwandengori , a structure that is located near the entrance to the temple, on the shore of a mountain stream. It looks like an umbrella made of stone. The name can be translated as "a place for royal clothes". According to legend, Sejong, who visited Sanvonsu during his reign, bathed in the local river, hanging clothes just on this stone structure. After that, he was cured of skin diseases, which for a long time could not cope with the court physicians. The king declared a healing river, where the Buddha washes away the whole mess.
How to get to Odezan?
Most travelers come here by bus from Seoul . The first of them, express from the capital, goes to the nearest city of Jinbu, and the second, already a local shuttle bus, brings tourists to the park to the temples of Woljozs and Sangwons.
You can also get to Odezan by train or a rented car.