Jirisan Mountain | Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do

Jirisan is renowned as the first area in Korea to have been officially designated as a national park in 1967.

The park spans an impressive three provinces and five cities, which comprise 10 famous temples, as well as twenty summits and valleys. The main peak, Cheonwangbong Peak, is 1,915 meters above sea level and is known as the “pillar to heaven”. With countless native animals and plant life throughout the area, the park is also famous as the first place in Korea to cultivate tea, and visitors are are able to sample herbal medicine and teas that are still cultivated in the area.

Jirisan’s only draw back is that the weather is inclined to be unpredictable and often unfavorable with only 80-100 days out of the year likely to be clear and sunny. However, the views are unparalleled anywhere else in the country and worth suffering any temperamental weather forecasts for!