Ipseokdae Rock, Chiaksan Natural Park, Wonju

 Ipseokdae Rock located in Chiaksan Natural Park, Wonju, Gangwon-do, Korea


Since I can feel the cool fall weather these days, I decided to start Chiaksan mountain hiking.  I often climb this mountain because it is near from my home.

There are some routes to climb Chiaksan mountain, from Ipseoksa Temple, Guryong Temple, and so on. I prefer Ipseoksa Temple route because it is the shortest way to arrive at Chiaksan's highest peak called "Birobong (1,288m)" although is is extremely steep.

When I went to Ipseoksa Temple last time, the parking lot was under construction. However, it has been alomost completed when I went to there this time. I think, in Korea, the buildings tend to be constrcted very quickly these days. The fastest thing is not alway good, isn't it ??
Anyway, it's been constructed quite well.

Locations

The parking lot is for free for now. However, it seems we have to pay for it later because there is ticket booth, as you can see from the picture.

The restrooms which has been built recently. 

It is quite clean and well-made.  

I hope it will be well cared continuously.

The parking lot floor is dirty since it hasn't been completed yet.

The inforamation on Chiaksan Natural Park.
As I told, Ipseoksa Temple route is  the shortest way.
However, the personal car is not allowed to go to Ipseoksa Temple. We have to get there on foot. The vehicles for offical use are allowed to go in but, the road is too narrow so, during climbing, we have to be careful if we choose this route .

Only one road, for the people and vehicles.

 

Since it is autumn season, we could see lots of acorn.

 

Acorn trees.

There is a rescue center on the way to Ipseoksa Temple and there are also benches so that we could have a rest during climbing.

There was nobody at that time. I have no information when they works.

There are restrooms in this rescue center.

After these steep stairs, we arrived at Ipseoksa Temple.

I hope to reach Birobong (1,288m) with my 5 years old daughter next year.

Ipseokdae Rock behind the stone walls.  

Driking water  (It's called "Turtle water" by my daughter)

Ipseoksa Temple.

Wonju from the Ipseokdae Cliff.

When we come down from the mountain, we have to be more careful because of it's steep slope. If we fall, we will roll down.

 

We saw lots of squirrels on this mountain.

Guryongsa Temple route is also good to climb Chiaksan mountain but, it costs more than this route including parking fee and admission fee. So, I recommend this route ^^.
When I reach to the highest peak "Birobong" next time, I will update it.

Donghae Mureung Health Forest, Donghae

Donghae  Mureung Health Forest, located in Mureung Valley, Donghae City, Korea


This accommodation was built to heal the people who is suffering from environmental disease such as an atopic dermatitis, allergy rhinitis, and asthma .

Because it was built recently, it is not only clean but also cheaper than other accommodations. The cooking is not allowed but, it was very comfortable to stay in here since there is a cafeteria which offers a variety of healthy meals.

From Wonju to Donghae, it usually takes about 2hours if we take the expressway.  However it took more than 4 hours to get there on that date because it was saturday. When  I go there next time, I wil choose local road on the weekends.

Donghae Beach from the Donghae Service Area.

The entrance of Donghae Mureung Health Forest

Mureng Valley from the entrance bridge

This accomadation consists of  four buildings made of eco-friendly materials (Hinoki Cypress (1building), Red -Clay(1building), and Sericite(2buildings))


I stayed in the room made of Red-Clay for 2nights and I felt healty during my stay ^^ 



The buidings are as below. It is not so big but, it is very comfortable to stay. There are walkway behind the buildings.

This room is for children but, it is not made yet.

My daughter is always busy to run everywhere.


We experienced some programs in here, for example, making an eco-freiendly Tshirt and Hinoki pillows.

We made eco-freiendly Tshirts.

We made Hinoki pillows.


During my stay, I could use Korean dry sauna (called "JJimjilbang") but, no photos on it.

 It consists of 4 rooms (White Sericite, Red-Clay, Salt and Oxygen rooms) but, it was so so for the price (12,000 Korean Won)


There is a cafeteria which offers a variety of healthy meals and it was very delicious. However, I think they have to manage high allergic food  such as gluten and tree nuts more carefully becuase it was built for the people who tends to be allergic to some food.

In gereneal, I was really satisfied with this accomations during my stay and I recommend it.