Soyosan National Tourist Site | Attraction Guide

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.