The highest and largest mountain in mainland South Korea, Jirisan Mountain consists of numerous scenic peaks, including its highest Cheonwangbong Peak (1,915m), Nogodan and Banyabong Peaks, and ridges and valleys extending for 40km from east to west. The mountain borders three provinces, Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, and its forests account for about 20% of all forestry in Korea. It was designated as Korea’s first National Park in 1967.


A spring view of Jirisan Mountain (top), Waterfall at Seoraksan Mountain (Sokcho, Gangwon-do) (left bottom), Landscape of Seoraksan Mountain (Sokcho, Gangwon-do)
A spring view of Jirisan Mountain (top), Waterfall at Seoraksan Mountain (Sokcho, Gangwon-do) (left bottom), Landscape of Seoraksan Mountain (Sokcho, Gangwon-do)

Jirisan Mountain is located at the southern end of the Baekdu Daegan, a great mountain range that forms the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, running down from Baekdusan Mountain in the northern most part of the peninsula to characterize geographical features of the south. The mountain has been widely admired for its majestic appearance and dense forests providing natural habitats for rare animal and plant species such as the Siberian musk deer, Korean goral, Asian birch, and the Royal Azalea.