|
tional Parks in South Korea are preserved parcels of public land in South Korea,
on which most forms of development are prohibited. They cover a total of 6.6%
of the country's area, and are typically located in mountainous or coastal regions.
Jirisan national park in South Korea in the southwest is the country's largest
mountain park. This was also the first national park to be designated in 1967.
The largest marine park is Dadohae. It has an area of more than 2,200 km²,
but almost all of this is water. The smallest national park in South Korea is
Wolchulsan, with an area of only 56.1 km².
The national parks in South Korea are overseen by the Korea National Parks
Authority, established in 1987. The Authority operates its own police force,
and since 1998 has been under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment.
It was previously under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Construction.
Popular National Parks in South Korea
Korea has several dozen National and Provincial Parks and a ruggedly scenic
coastline. Just north of the capital, the forests and cliff-top temples of Pukansan
National Park offer great hiking and recreational facilities. Three of national
parks in South Korea, Soraksan, Odaesan and Chuwangsan, are accessible from
the East Coast highway. Soraksan National Park is widely considered to offer
the most beautiful scenery in Korea with its rugged peaks, waterfalls, forests
and temples. Excellent tourist facilities range from hiking trails and campsites
to the Osaek Springs luxury hot spring resorts. Odaesan national park in South
Korea is famous for its ski resorts. Rock climbers will enjoy the challenges
of the Chiaksan area.
Towards the center of the country, Songnisan national park in South Korea is
another area renowned for its natural beauty. 50km west of Taegu City is the
Kayasan national park in South Korea, at the center of which is Haeinsa, Korea’s
best-known temple. Chirisan National Park is known as a fine hiking and mountaineering
destination. South of Seoul, South Korea’s western area is known for its
jagged scenic coastline and numerous National and Provincial Parks. Particularly
notable is the Kyeryongsan National Park which includes the two beautiful temples
of Kapsa and Dongkaksa.
|
