Taebaeksan Provincial Park 태백산도립공원

Taebaeksan Mountain (태백산) encompasses several peaks such as Yeongbong Peak, where in the past, people would conduct rites to venerate Heaven at Cheonjedan, Janggunbong Peak (1,567m) and Munsubong Peak (1,517m). The mountain is rather high but easy to hike since it is relatively smooth and has few cliffs. The higher plains are covered with alpine vegetation. The mountain becomes hot pink with mountain rhododendron and azalea in the spring; green with thick forest and pristine waters in the summer; rainbow colored with changing leaves in the fall; and white with snow in the winter.

Taebaeksan Mountain is one of the three sacred mountains of Korea and the sunrise observed at Cheonjedan is simply breathtaking. There is a ritual site for Dangun in Danggol Valley, where people celebrate Gaecheonjeol (개천절) each year; and there are a number of Buddhist temples such as Manggyeong, Baekdan, Yuil and Cheongwon. Right below the mountaintop lies Yongjeong, the well that is said to boast the very best-quality water among the 100 good water sources in Korea. Near the park are located Geomryongso, the origin of the Han River, and Hwangji Pond, source of the Nakdonggang River. The Taebaek Coal Museum and Gumunso Natural Experience Field provide visitors with information on fossils, geology and the development of the coal industry.

* Sunrise at Mt. Taebaeksan
Weather permitting, you can watch the sun rising out of the East Sea from the top of Mt. Taebaeksan (Cheonjedan). It usually first appears breaking through the clouds or peeking between the mountaintops. In order to watch the first sunrise of the year at the top of Mt. Taebaeksan, you need to equip yourself with a wintertime hiking outfit and tools such as crampons and a headlamp. Since Mt. Taebaeksan is not far from downtown Taebaek, it is convenient for hikers to spend the night Taebaek and get to the mountain by land transportation.

[Uilsa Temple]
Uilsa Temple Entrance (유일사 입구) → Uilsa Temple (유일사) → Janggunbong Peak (장군봉) → Cheonjedan (천제단) (4km, 2 hours)

[Baekdansa Temple]
Baekdansa Temple Entrance (백단사 입구) → Banjae (반재) → Manggyeongsa Temple (망경사) → Cheonjedan (천제단) (4km, 2 hours)

[Danggol]
Danggol (당골) → Danggol Plaza (당골광장) → Banjae (반재) → Manggyeongsa Temple (망경사) → Cheonjedan (천제단) (4.4km, 2 hrs 30min)

[Munsubong Peak] Danggol Plaza (당골광장) → Jedanggol (제당골) → Munsubong Peak (문수봉) → Cheonjedan (천제단) (7km, 3 hours) [Geumcheon]
Geumcheon (금천) → Munsubong Peak (문수봉) → Busoebong Peak (부쇠봉) → Cheonjedan (천제단) (7.8km, 4 hours)

※ Free: Children (age 6 and younger), Seniors (age 65 and older), handicapped visitors, and residents in Taebaek-si (proof required)
※ Groups: 30 people or more

Jannamugol (Geumcheon) ~ Somunsubong Peak
Somunsubong Peak ~ Somunsubong Gallim-gil
Munsubong Gallim-gil ~ Behind Dangunseongjeon
Danggol 3-gyo ~ Munsubong Neungseon Gallim-gil
Dalgo (Jinjuam) ~ Banjae

For fire safety and nature ecology preservation, there is restricted access to the mountain.
Summer: February 1 – May 15
Autumn: November 1 – December 15
* Subject to change according to weather conditions.

Individuals – Adults 2,000 won / Students & Military 1,500 won / Children 700 won
Groups – Adults 1,500 won / Students & Military 1,000 won / Children 500 won

※ Free: Children (age 6 and younger), Seniors (age 65 and older), handicapped visitors, and residents in Taebaek-si (proof required)
※ Groups: 30 people or more

Two-wheeled vehicle: 1,200 won
Small cars: 2,000 won
Large vehicles: 4,000 won