Hiking Baegundae Peak - 2016.11.13 (solo hike)

Baegundae which literally means the platform covered by white cloud, is the highest peak (2744 ft) in Bukhansan National Park, situated in Seoul metropolitan area in South Korea.

Bukhansan National Park has several trails suited to every level of experience, from gentle slopes to steep rugged tracks and the ever-changing scenery in each season will make every visit unique.

On my way to baegundae

I climbed Baegundae peak during last two weeks of autumn and hence colorful dry autumn leaves had fallen on the ground from most of the trees as heaps.

I started my trail from Bukhanseong Park Information Center and chose the trails running through Bukhanseong fortress (북한산성)

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Transportation:- If you are coming from Seoul, the best way is to take the subway line 3 and get down at Gupabal station. From Gupabal station, take exit 1 and from there you can take bus no 704 or 8772 which will take you to the Bukhanseong park entrance area (Ipgok-samgori). 

Address:-서울특별시 은평구 진관동 289-8

Samgaksan mountain over the shops near Ipgok-Samgori area. 

Baegundae is the highest peak (2744 ft) of this mountain

Since all the trails are interconnected, the total distance of your trekking depends on how you choose the trails. In case of me, I walked not less than 20 kms within half a day. 

About Bukhanseong fortress

Hikers with hiking sticks and colorful apparel on their way.

Bukhansan is very rich with streamlets with crystal clear water.

Baegundae peak from a view point

Dozens of Buddhist temples were also built within the fortress for the use of Buddhist monk army. It is said that Buddhist monks had given their immense contribution to build and safeguard the fortress as monk soldiers.

This is Nojoksa temple (still operating).

View of Baegundae peak from a watch house in fortress wall

A squirrel carrying moss on rocks (may be preparing for winter)

Bukhanseong fortress was first built in 132 AD and was rebuilt in 1711 AD (37th year of king Sukjong's reign). It was established after the Japanese invasion of Korea from 1592 to 1598 and the second Manchu invasion of Korea in 1636 in order to prevent such foreign invasions in future.

Over the Southern gate building of fortress wall

An entrance gate of the fortress

In case of any emergency, you can call 119 and get help. You only have to tell your location number mentioned in the posts erected along the the trail.

Due to mist, Seoul city view was not very clear from Baegundae.

A record of historical facts of the March First Movement, also called Samil Independence Movement, series of demonstrations for Korean national independence from Japan that began on March 1, 1919 has being engraved on Baegundae peak. 

On Baegundae peak

It was very cold and windy on top of Baegundae. No words to say about this cup of coffe had from a Korean met during the hike.

Dont's

Hiking Baegundae peak is a must-to-do if you love hiking in South Korea. 

Dosanseowon Confucian School, Andong, South Korea 2017-10-07

Dosanseowon Confucian School (도산서원) is a historic place situated in a beautiful and calm location, nearly 20 kms away from Andong city. Gyoungbuk-do, South Korea.

This was built in 1574 i.e. in 16th century to teach and propagate Confucian teachings.

The pond in the Confucian academy premises

This old building complex, now renovated consists of libraries, lecture halls, reading rooms, publishing place, shrine rooms, dining rooms etc which were said to be used at the time. 

Performance of a traditional ritual 

Dosanseowon entrance area. This is where You
 need to get down from t

The museum which is situated in the same building complex, will give you the best knowledge about this old academy and how it ran. Wooden plaques, books, and the instruments used by the residents at the time for different purposes like printing, measuring etc also can be seen here.  

Best to visit this place in spring or autumn. In case of me, I visited in autumn on 7th, October 2017. 

Transportation> Take bus no:67 from Andong city (bus halt in front of Kyobo insurance building) and get down at Dosanseowon entrance, a place with only a few small shops, a car park and the entrance ticket issuing office. 

Entrance fee was 1500 won per adult at the time of my visit.

When you are returning after visiting the place, ask convenience store staff or the car park carer about the bus arriving time as the buses usually run once in 1 and 1/2 hours or 2 hrs.

Me, walking along the road through woods

So, if you have to wait more than 30 mins to take the bus, I suggest you to take a walk to the Dosanseowon three-way junction which is in nearly 20 mins walking distance. Walk along this carpet coated road running through the woods  on either side and refresh yourself with nature.

This is the 3-way junction.
You can get the bus from here.

Actually this is the same road that bus no 67 goes on and you can get into the bus at the bus halt in three-way junction you come across when you walk along the road starting from Dosanseowon confucian school entrance. 

Feel that refreshing feeling when you walk along a road which runs through a thick forest in Autumn through this small Video recorded by me... 😄😃

Address :- Togye-ri, Dosan-myeon, Andong-si, Gyoungbuk-do, South Korea

(Addrees inn korean:-경북 안동시 도산면 토계리 680

UNESCO world heritage Hahoe Folk Village visit 2017-10-06

Andong Hahoe Folk Village (안동 하회마을) is a UNESCO World Heritage traditional Korean village, situated in an extremely beautiful location surrounded by mountains.

As all most all the houses in the village are privately owned and still residents are living in them, you'll just have to walk along the lanes across the village. 

As all most all the houses in the village are privately owned and still residents are living in them, you'll just have to walk along the lanes across the village. 

Surrounding paddy fields and farmlands add beauty to this village. Best to visit in spring or autumn and also make sure to visit before harvesting the paddy fields not to miss the scenic beauty of the paddy fields in the village.

Nakdong river is flowing around the village and visitors can go to the other side of the river by boat and get to the top of the mountain cliff to get a perfect view of the entire village too.

                  

                   

Date of my visit:-2017-10-06

Transportation: From Dongdaegu terminal, take express bus to Andong, 2h bus ride. Then take bus no :46, the direct bus to Andong folk village from the bus stop next to the taxi park outside the express bus terminal. After around 40 mins ride, you will be at the destination.