mudeungsan national park
is dubbed as the "Geumgangsan of Honam" due to its rock formations and unique seasonal beauties

Iron Vairocana Buddha made during the Unified Silla Period (National Museum of Korea, Seoul)

mudeungsan national park

Mudeungsan National Park (Korean: 무등산국립공원, Hanja: 無等山國立公園) is a mountain park located in Southern Jeolla Province (Cheollanam-do), South Korea.

The famous became a provincial park in 1972 but was designated only in 2012. Mudeungsan Mountain is about 1,186 meters high, which is consist of three rock peaks.

The rock peaks, called “Jeongsang Three,” are Cheonwangbong, Jiwangbong, and Inwangbong.

The national park has an approximate total area of 75.45 square kilometers. The park is named after the highest mountain Mudeungsan.

Park’s Features & Attractions

Mudeungsan Mountain trails are easy for hikers to climb as it has a gradual slope. Besides, you can always find steps or stairs with safety railing, especially in some challenging points.

Cheonwangbong Peak is one of the most famous peaks. Many considered it as a mountain god. If I’m not mistaken, the name can be translated as ‘heavenly king’s peak.’

Seoseokdae, Gyubong, and Ipseokdae peaks are also considered by many as imposingly majestic and spectacular.

Temples
At the foot of the mountain, you will find historic Buddhist temples with their old relics decorating the serene and peaceful atmospheres.

Some of the famous temples are Yaksaam Temple, Jeungsimsa Temple, and Wonhyosa Temple. Most temples welcome visitors from different faiths to freely look around or do something serious such as praying or meditating.

Mudeungsan Mountain’s Four Seasons
The park is beautiful throughout the year--in all four seasons.

At Gyubongam area, the colorful autumn foliage is mesmerizing. At Baekma Ridge (white horse ridge) one can explore the silver grass showing off its flashing spectacles.

Flowers in the Spring and white snow in the Winter are simply irresistible among visitors even to the regular visitors and pilgrims.

Mudeungsan Park’s Facilities

Entering the parking area is for free for all visitors and regular hikers.

Aside from the natural beauty and healing effects that the mountain park is offering, one can also find ‘human’-made facilities to make it easier for visitors to appreciate and enjoy entirely the park.

So, visitors can use various recreational facilities made which are mostly established below the mountain.

Gwangju National Museum
Visitors and tourists alike can explore created sites and structures. These facilities and structures include the Gwangju National Museum.

The Museum was created in a traditional style building for the exhibition of artifacts, aside from being a space to relax.

The cultural treasures excavated from the Sea of Sinan can be found in this museum. Most of these items are from Honam Province, which was crafted during the Seonsa, Baekje, and Silla periods.

Among the 2,000 items being exhibited in this museum, some paintings from the Joseon Period are also on display.

Indeed, due to changes and improvements, you can find more exciting facilities and attractions near the national park.

accessible hiking areas

Many roads lead to the peak of Mudeungsan. But please take note that for your own safety, hikers are not allowed to hike during night-time, aside from other restriction policies (such as drinking alcohol and smoking).

Mudeungsan Mountain
Sotaeje-Majipbong Crossroad / Pungam Parking Lot-Gwangil Farm / Seonjuam Crossroad-Seoinbong Crossrad

Mudeungsan Mountain - East Side
Seoseokdae-Cheonwangbong Peak-Entrance of military camp / Dowon camping site-Madangbawi Rock / Entrance of Gwangil Farm-Sinseondae Crossroad

Now, if you are feeling interested in getting there, please let me provide you some useful travel guides.

Getting to Mudeungsan National Park

Public Korean transports are efficient and they are available in almost all places and corners of the country.

The major transports include trains, buses, taxis, and even the plains. Here we go…

By Train (Seoul Station - Gwangju Songjeong Station - Munhwajeongdang Station - Mudeungsan Park)
Take the KTX from Seoul Station that will bring you to Gwangju Songjeong Station. From Gwangju Songjeong Station take the subway to Munhwajeongdang Station.

From Munhwajeongdang Station, take a taxi for Mudeungsan National Park that will take approximately 16 minutes.

Approximate Time Travel:
Approximate Travel Expenses: 55-90,000 Won

By Bus (Seoul Central City Bus Terminal - Gwangju Terminal)
Take a bus from Seoul Central Terminal to Gwangju City. From the bus terminal, you can take a taxi, Mudeungsan Park for around 20 minutes.

Approximate Travel expenses: 35-53,000 Won
Approximate Time Travel: 3 hours 40 minutes

Ordinary Train (Yongsan Station - Gwangju Station - Mudeungsan Park)
Take a train from Yongsan Station to Gwangju Station, which will take 4 hours more or less. Then from Gwangju, take a taxi for Mudeungsan Park, which will take around 15 minutes.

Approximate Time Travel: 5 hours 25 minutes
Approximate Travel Expenses: 45-69,000 Won

Flying from Kimpo Airport to Gwangju is also accessible.

Gwangju Local Bus
Go to Gwangju Bus Terminal (U-Square Terminal).

Take Bus 09 and get off at the entrance of Jeungsimsa Temple.
Walk towards Mudeungsan National Park.

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Note: This page will be updated with my personal travel experiences of the park and surrounding areas. Useful details, stories, and photos will be included in the updates.

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Thanks for reading through this article. I hope this has been useful to your search.

Have a pleasant journey!

Return to Korea National Parks from Mudeungsan National Park
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mudeungsan national park
is dubbed as the "Geumgangsan of Honam" due to its rock formations and unique seasonal beauties