Soaring hike that awakens body and mind on Soyosan | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Jajaeam is a historic temple founded by Wonhyo Daesa in the 14th year of Queen Seondeok of Silla (645), where a legend says Wonhyo Daesa met the Bodhisattva of Compassion to verify his spiritual practice. In the 25th year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo (974), the temple was rebuilt by Monk Gakgyu under royal command, and after a fire in the 7th year of King Uijong (1153), Monk Gakryeong reconstructed the main hall (Daeungjeon) and some temple huts. From the entrance of Soyo Mountain, you can reach Jajaeam by walking about 1.5km on a flat path, followed by climbing stairs for 0.5km starting from the point where Wonhyo Cave begins. This cave is said to be where Wonhyo Daesa practiced asceticism and is called Wonhyo Cave. In front of the cave is a small waterfall, and uniquely, a monorail is installed up to Jajaeam for transporting supplies. Along the stairway, there are meaningful inscriptions, making the climb enjoyable. Though the temple has undergone multiple reconstructions, particularly after destruction during the Korean War, it does not retain a richly ancient appearance. Situated on a rocky mountain slope, the temple harmonizes well with the cliffs and caves used in its construction, creating a scenic view.

Soyosan is located in Soyodong, northeast of Dongducheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, about 5 km north along National Road 3 from Dongducheon City Hall, making it the best autumn foliage mountain in the Seoul metropolitan area. Although Soyosan's mountain range is not grand or magnificent, its sharply pointed bizarre rock formations beautifully form peaks that evoke various shapes, and the deep valleys emit a mysterious atmosphere. The summit, Uisangdae (587m), along with Habakundae, Jungbakundae, Sangbakundae, Nahandae, and Gongjubong—six peaks arranged in a circle—offer a unique charm reminiscent of a mountain hiking start and end point. In spring, azaleas and rhododendrons create a spectacular scene; in summer, visitors can escape the midday heat in the unpolluted valley; and in autumn, the foliage’s brilliance is so famous it has been traditionally called Gyeonggi’s Salt Mountain (Geumgangsan). The Soyosan tourist site also includes Yosukgongju Byeolgungji, the site of Princess Yosukgongju’s separate palace with a touching legend involving the Silla high monk Wonhyo, a symbolic arch called Yeonlijimun, and the Haenggungji ruins where King Taejo of Joseon's early regent built and resided in a separate palace. There are also famous sites related to Wonhyo’s ascetic meditation: Jajaeam, Wonhyo Waterfall, and Wonhyo Great Lantern. Notably, a large parking lot is installed at the entrance of the tourist site, and the Seoul Metro Line 1 extends to Soyosan Station, making it the most accessible top tourist attraction in the Seoul metropolitan area.

[처가집부대고기] 무쇠 솥에 각종 야채와 스팸, 소시지, 고기 등을 넣고 끓이는 부대찌개의 원조집이라 할 수 있는 음식점이다. [송월관] 경기도 향토지적재산으로 지정된 업소인 만큼 2대에 걸쳐 60년 가까이 이어져 내려오는 그 전통의 맛은 가히 예술이라 할 수 있다. 흔히들 떡갈비 양념하면 주재료로 간장을 먼저 생각하는데 이 집의 떡갈비는 천연과일로 만든 소스에 소금으로 간을 해 그 깔끔한 맛이 일품이라 할 수 있다.