The one place you must go - Seoraksan National Park(설악산국립공원) Part2.

The one place you must go,

Seoraksan National Park 

Part 2.

Ulsanbawi Rock (울산바위) - Yeonggeumjeong (영금정)

Ulsanbawi Rock (울산바위)

(http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264169)

 Well. First of all, I wanna tell you something. 

'Bawi' means 'Rock'

I don't know why people are using Korean words like this, but I really want you to call this as Ulsanbawi (울산바위) or Ulsan rock.  As well as Geumganggul Cave(금강굴).

'gul' means 'cave' ! so, you definitely don't need to repeat it.

So, from now on, I'm gonna call this just as Ulsanbawi(울산바위).

2 panorama shots of Ulsanbawi

Ulsanbawi is composed of six granite peaks, each bearing a width of 4km. 

You can see the spectacular scenery of Seorak Mountain, the East Sea, Dalma Peak, and Haksapyeong Reservoir from the top. 

There are  many varying theories as to what the name Ulsanbawi implies: 

that it looks like a fence, that its name was copied from Ulsan of Gyeongsangnam-do, 

and that the Korean term of “crying mountain” was translated into Chinese characters. 

Because of the way the whole mountain reverberates the sound of thunder in rain, it is also referred to as Cheonhusan. 

And the list goes on and on :)

The arduous 4km hike up that takes roughly two hours to reach the peak is worth it. 

Views from the top are simply breathtaking. 

Daepohang Port (대포항) 

Again, 'Hang' means 'Port' anyways.

Daepohang(대포항) is filled with raw fish restaurants and a live fish market containing eel, flatfish, flounder, yellowtail, and plethora of other high-end seafood. 

Furthermore, the abundance of local dishes that can be found lining the streets includes Ojingeo sundae(오징어순대) and Gamja Songpyeon(감자송편). 

For raw fish lovers that are in the Sokcho area, Daepohang Port is the place to be. 

Nearby tourist attractions include Seorak Sunrise Park and Tourism Submarine. These are all great places to stop by while visiting the Seoraksan Mountains.

How to get to Daepohang

1. Across from Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, take city bus No. 1,3,5,7,9 and get off at Daepohang Port (2-3 min ride). 

2. From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, take city bus No. 1, 1-1, 1-7, 7-1, 9, or 9-1 and get off at Daepohang Port (25 min ride).

Yeongguemjung (영금정)

(http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1758206)

Yeonggeumjeong refers to the area covering the shore by the Sokcho Lighthouse in Sokcho-si City. (속초)

The name Yeonggeumjeong comes from a notion that the sound of waves hitting the rocks is comparable to the melody of geomungo

 (거문고.traditional stringed instrument with 6 strings). 

At the end of the 50m-long bridge built over a rocky peninsula is a pavilion offering a view of the East Sea.

I planned to go to the light house, but Yeonggeumjeong looks better 

so I headed to here.

And I was right. 

It looks awesome, right?

This is an old pavilion which is now inaccessible to the public. ↓

How to get to Yeonggeumjeong

From Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal, follow the signs for Yeonggeumjeong.

Yeonggeumjeong is located about 15 minutes from the bus terminal.

OR

From Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, take the local Bus 7, 7-1, 9 or 9-1.

Get off at Sokcho Intercity Bus Terminal (시외버스터미널) or Suboktap (수복탑).

Basically, there are not many buses in Sokcho.

So you need to remember few numbers.

I'm sure that you won't have any problems visiting other places by bus.