Mt. Chilbo (1)

Mt. Chilbo has long been regarded as one of scenic spots in Korea with a long history and time-honoured cultural traditions. Located northeast of the Korean peninsula, the mountain, thanks to its topographical and geological features, has unique natural beauties including seascapes, the kinds of which cannot be seen in other celebrated mountains.

Its name Chilbo means seven treasures. It is largely divided into Inner Chilbo, Outer Chilbo and Sea Chilbo.

     Inner Chilbo

Inner Chilbo has short mountain ranges and its valleys are not deep. So it is worth sightseeing.

Its fantastic peaks are characterized by rocks standing in the shapes of men, animals and so on, and its beauty has long been likened to womanly beauty.

Inner Chilbo is divided into four districts of scenic beauty Chonbul Peak. including Kaesim Temple and Isonam districts, and the districts are connected by a sightseeing road and mountain-climbing routes.

In the centre of Inner Chilbo stands magnificent Chonbul (a thousand Buddhas) Peak. The peak is surrounded by lots of curious peaks such as Mansa (ten thousand temples) Peak, Kumgang Peak which overlooks Inner Chilbo and Jorong Peak which seems laden with clusters of rocks.

Chonbul Peak

Inner Chilbo also has lots of rocks of fantastic shapes including Hwanho (cheering) Rock whose name comes from the legend that a man, who visited the mountain after hearing that its scenery was the best, turned into the rock while shouting for joy enraptured by the scenic beauty of the area, Ryangjwa Rock which resembles two brothers sitting astride their horses side by side and Ssangchim (two sharp needles) Rock, all of which always attract the visitors’ attention.

In particular, Pubu Rock, 15 metres in height, evokes the admiration of the beholders as it looks just like a man and his wife. In Inner Chilbo there are also lots of other fantastic rocks including those looking like a monkey, a horse, a shark, a tortoise, a rabbit, tiger’s mouth, a masque performer, a Buddha, a peasant, a woman of matchless beauty, a bodhisattva, a lady, two fairies, a group of fairies, a spirit, rice cake, a shop, a piano, an umbrella, a rice stack, a helmet, a fist, a piece of bean curd, a spear and a lotus flower. These rocks may excite famous stonemasons’ admiration.

And waterfalls and pools including the Kumgang Falls and the Kuryong (nine dragons) Pools, which carries the tale that a filial boy succeeded in digging a wild insam (ginseng) after defeating the nine dragons, add to the beauty of the mountain.

Inner Chilbo also has Kangson, Kwanum, Sonnyo and other famous caves and Kaesim, Sungson, Haemang, Yongchun and other pavilions.

Noted places of Inner Chilbo are associated with old tales and legends, which give pleasure to the visitors.

There is Kumgang Cave (12m in width, 8m in depth and 2.5m in height) at the eastern foot of Kumgang Peak, which is known as the best one in Mt. Chilbo. At the entrance to the cave you can see Kumgang Spring associated with an old story, according to which a mouthful of the water extends your life ten years but two cut your life ten years.    

And Inner Chilbo has many historical relics, like Hama Monument and Kaesim Temple, which testify to the long history of the Korean nation and its ancestors’ excellent architecture and sculpture.

Nongbu Rock

Kaesim Temple