Hiking Sobaeksan and Visiting Punggi Ginseng Market | Travel Course | K-Travel Mate

Sobaeksan National Park was designated as the 18th national park in 1987, with an area of 322.011㎢, distributed as 168.407㎢ in the Gyeongbuk region and 153.604㎢ in the Chungbuk region. Standing tall at the center where the Baekdudaegan mountain range, the backbone of the Korean Peninsula, crosses Gangwon-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gyeongsang-do, Sobaeksan National Park surrounds the Yeongju Basin like a folding screen. Administratively, it belongs to one eup and three myeon in Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do; one eup and four myeon in Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do; and one myeon in Bonghwa-gun. Many peaks, including Birobong (1,439m), Gukmangbong (1,421m), 1st Yeonhwabong (1,394m), 2nd Yeonhwabong (1,357m), Dosolbong (1,314m), Sinseonbong (1,389m), Hyeongjebong (1,177m), and Myojukbong (1,148m), form a magnificent yet gentle mountain shape, showcasing a beautiful landscape. Although its name 'Sobaek' might suggest a small mountain, it is actually a grand mountain. The main peak, Birobong, is a treasure trove of numerous wildflowers, including the rare plant Waesomdari (Edelweiss), and in spring azaleas bloom in full, revealing a subtle and beautiful appearance. It blends harmoniously with the natural monument No. 244, the yew tree population, displaying a noble stance, smooth ridges, and elegant curves. The Jukgye-gugok valley starting from Gukmangbong is the background of Jukgye Byeolgok, a representative work of the Goryeo Gyeonggi poetic form. The Heebang Valley, extending from Yeonhwabong, features the magnificent 28m Heebang Waterfall and outstanding scenery.

옛날부터 전래되어 내려온 전통적인 방법으로 메밀묵을 제조하여 본래의 맛을 간직한채 묵과 조밥이 함께 어울려 내는 맛은 일품이며, 고향의 맛을 풍기는 메밀묵이다.

풍기읍 시가지로부터 3km 떨어진 곳에 위치한 소백산 풍기온천은 지하 800m 심층에서 분출하는 100% 천연원수로 불소가 함유된 알칼리성 온천으로서 전국에서 으뜸가는 유황온천이다. 주위에는 소백산 국립공원이 있어 등산을 곁들일 수 있으며 부석사, 소수서원, 선비촌 등은 유ㆍ불교문화의 근본을 말해주고 있다. 소백산 풍기온천의 물은 유황, 불소, 중탄산 등의 우리 몸에 좋은 물질이 온천수에 용해되어 있어 만성관절염, 신경통, 금속중독, 동맥경화증, 당뇨병, 만성 기관지염, 피부미용에 탁월한 효과가 있다.

Punggi Ginseng Market was established in September 1990 in front of Punggi Station to widely promote Punggi ginseng to domestic and international tourists. About 60 stores sell fresh ginseng (susam), white ginseng (baeksam), and more year-round. Every year from late September to early October, the Punggi Ginseng Festival is held with various events such as ginseng harvesting experiences, a ginseng beauty contest, and a ginseng cooking exhibition. Ginseng has long been known as a miraculous herb that helps restore vitality and is effective against numerous illnesses. Punggi ginseng is especially cultivated around Punggi, located at the northern end of Yeongnam where the Taebaek and Sobaek mountain ranges divide. This area is well-ventilated with excellent drainage, resulting in ginseng with a stronger aroma and higher saponin content than ginseng from other regions.