Woraksan(Mountain) national park, 월악산국립공원(영봉)

Woraksan(Mountain) national park, South Korea

월악산국립공원

sampling oak for dendrochronology

2014.11

trail from Deokjusa temple to yungbonk peak

덕주사에서 영봉

leaves of Mongolian oak(Quercus mongolica F. ex L.)

Maidenhair tree (Gingko)

Maidenhair tree and I

Saw-leaf Zelkova(Zelkova serrata M.)

Rock-carved Standing Buddha of Deokjusa Temple, Jecheon (Treasure No. 406)

This Buddha statue is carved on the east stone wall of Deokjusa Temple located on the middle of Woraksan Mountain in Jecheon. According to Donggungnyeojiseungnam or Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea, it is said that this temple was made by the elder sister of Silla's last crown prince, Princess Deokju. It was burned down and destroyed during the Korean Civil War and all that remains is the temple grounds.

The large Buddha statue carved on the southern part of the granite wall is 13 meters in height. The face was carved to stick out and the body was carved in lines.On the flat head is a half-moon shaped Yukgye (a protuberance on top of the head symbolizing supreme wisdom). It has a chubby face with long eyes, large nose, and hanging chin emphasized. This kind of exaggeration can be seen widely on large Buddha statues from the Goryeo Dynasty. The neck is almost unapparent and the head is basically just sitting on the body. The three lines of Samdo (the three realms of existence where evil people go) that are supposed to be on the neck are carved as lines on the upper part of the body. The body only expressed by lines ignores the shape of the human body and looks strange. The Beobeui (sacerdotal robes) around the shoulders hangs weakly and the folds in the clothing also lack vividness. The right hand is held up to the chest with the thumb and middle finger together, and the back of the left hand is showing. Both feet spread to the sides are almost too big with long and thick toes. Both feet are supported by lotus flowers, which are used as pedestals.This was made during the early Goryeo Dynasty when the making of large Buddha statues was getting popular.

The carving method used for the chubby face and simple, two-dimensional body makes the statue seem rather awkward compared to its size. It is estimated that this statue was made in the eleventh century.

- Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea

Tree ring of Mongolian Oak

Koean red pine(Pinus densiflora S. et Z.)

leaves of Manshurian fullmoon maple (Acer pseudosieboldianum K.)

Sampling oark tress for making chronology in worak mountain national park

Woraksan national Park

Designated as the 17th national park in Korea in 1984, Woraksan’s area is 287.777㎢, and it is located in the middle of Baekdudaegan, connecting Sobaeksan and Songnisan. Thanks to the steep physical features and ferociously tall cliffs, it has been known as a divine peak from the past. The main peak is called “Yeongbong(1,097m).” There are over 22 small and big mountains and peaks at Woraksan, including Mansubong, Geumsusan, Sinseonbong, and Doraksan. 

Woraksan is close to the capital region and is adjacent to Jecheon-si(City), Danyang-gun(County), and Chungju-si(City) of Chungcheongbuk-do(Province) and Mungyeong-si(City) of Gyeongsangbuk-do(Province). It has visitors all four seasons, due to its beautiful scenery harmonized with Chungju lake.

Mainly pine and Mongolian oak forests with a total of 1,200 plant species spread across the area. As for animal species, there are 16 endangered species, to which are added 17 mammal species, 67 bird species, 1,092 insect species, 10 amphibian species, 14 reptile species, 27 freshwater fish species, 112 benthic macroinvertebrate species, and 118 spider species.

- National Park of Korea