K-Lifestyle Wiki

For those looking for a good beginner’s hike, head to the 348 metre high Yongmasan. As a reference, this is approximately 2-3 times the height of Singapore’s highest peak at Bukit Timah Hill. Although technically not a mountain, this hill has a great hike worth doing if you’re visiting Seoul. On the way up, there are also lookout points with amazing views of the city to keep you pumped till you reach the end. The terrain starts easy, but gradually becomes steeper and more rugged as you reach the top.

Suraksan is a lesser-known mountain in the outskirts of Seoul, perfect for those who want to avoid the crowd. At the peak, you’ll be 638m high above sea level with a great view of the rolling hills around the mountain.

I went to Bukhansan when I traveled Seoul last time. It is easily accessible by bus. For those looking for a quick and easily accessible hike, head to Bukhansan National Park. The mountain sits in the middle of Seoul, with the trailhead easily accessible by bus. As you near the top, you’d be rewarded with a panoramic view of the cityscape, as well as the surrounding hills.

#Fact10 The largest of these agglomerations is the capital, Seoul, which lies in the northwest just a few dozen kilometers from the inter-Korean border. Seoul is hemmed in by mountains and bisected by the broad Han River, which flows through the northern stretch of the country before emptying into the Yellow Sea near the west coast city of Incheon, a major port and industrial center.

#Fact9 The climate of South Korea is considered temperate and rainfall is heavier in the summer than in the winter due to the presence of the East Asian Monsoon. Winters are cold to very cold depending upon altitude and summers are hot and humid.

#Fact8 Geographically, South Korea is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula below the 38th parallel of latitude. It has coastlines along the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. South Korea's topography consists mainly of hills and mountains but there are large coastal plains in the western and southern parts of the country. The highest point in South Korea is Halla-san, an extinct volcano, which rises to 6,398 feet (1,950 m). It is located on South Korea's Jeju Island, which is located south of the mainland.

Jeju on the south coast is a large volcanic island with a peak of Hallasan (1950 m). Ulleung-do, and Dokdo in the east sea consist of felsic rock, and are younger. Since the mountainous area lies mostly to the east of the peninsula, the main rivers tend to flow to the west, and south. In the west flow the rivers Amnok, Chŏngchŏn, Daedong, Hangang, Geum, Yeongsan, Nakdong, Seomjin and so on. These rivers have extensive floodplains, and provide fertile land for agriculture.

Korea is located on the Korean peninsula in northeast Asia. To the northwest it is separated by the Amnok River (Yalu) from the People's Republic of China. The Duman River to its northeast separates Korea from Russia and China. Some of the important islands include Jeju, Ganghwa, Ulleung, Dokdo, Jindo, Geoje, and so on. The southern, and western parts of Korea are lowlands and to the east, and north the Baekdu Daegan mountain range extends along the peninsula. The Gaema Plateau is located in North Korea and is a volcanic product from the Meszoic era. Highest points include Mount Baekdu (2774), Sobaeksan (2184 m), Jirisan (1915), Baeksan (1724), Geumgangsan (1638), Seoraksan (1708), Taebaeksan (1564) and so on. Several of the lower mountains are perpendicular to the Baekdu Daegan network, mostly developing along the tectonic lines of the mesozoic era, and pointing essentially northwest.

Hallasan Mountain is the central mountain of the island and is the top of a shield volcano. This mountain, 1,950 meters high, is the representative outcome of the fourth stage of volcanic activity that took place in the oceans surrounding the Korean Peninsula. The Seongsan Ilchulbong is an oreum created during the explosion of an underwater volcano. It shows the birth and growth of a Surtseyan eruption, a type of volcanic eruption that takes place in shallow seas. The lava cave system was created when basaltic lava flow ran toward the ocean between 300,000 and 100,000 years ago. Today, nine caves have been found, including the Manjanggul Cave.

Volcanic activity creates many picturesque places. The Jusangjeolli Cliffs, part of the Jungmun Tourism Complex on the southern part of Jeju Island, has a scenic view and is characteristic of the island province. The cliffs have columnar joints which look like a folding screen composed of tetragon- or hexagon-shaped pillars. These columnar joints are created when thick basaltic lava at about 1,000 degrees Celsius flows from the mouth of a volcano and cools rapidly. The columnar joints of the cliffs are 30-40 meters tall and extend for about 1 kilometer, the largest such natural formation in Korea.