Walking Haneuljae, a Pass as High as the Sky

Haneuljae is said to be the first road ever opened in Korea. Crown Prince Maui crossed it while grieving the fall of his kingdom, and King Gongmin crossed it fleeing the Red Turban Rebellion. Since Mungyeong Saejae Pass opened, it has become a quiet, seldom-used old road, but the 2.5km path from Mireukri Temple Site to Haneuljae is an endlessly serene and beautiful forest trail.

Along the way

1. 1

   Mireuk Daewonji Site, Chungju

   충주 미륵대원지

   Mireuk Temple Site, designated Historic Site No. 317, lies facing south in a basin connected by Haneuljae Pass between North Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang Provinces. It is said that Crown Prince Maui, the last prince of Silla, received a revelation in a dream from the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara instructing him to erect a stone Buddha while traveling to Mt. Geumgangsan, and that upon crossing Haneuljae he examined the terrain and built a stone Buddha and temple at what is now Mireuk-ri. MoreLess

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2. 2

   Haneuljae Pass

   하늘재

   A small trail branches off to the left just past the three-story stone pagoda of Mireuk-ri on Mt. Wolaksan. Facing distant, picturesque views of hwangjangmok (red pine), oak, and black pine trees, this cool, breezy path under a clear sky is known as 'Haneuljae.' The ditch running below on the left side of the path sometimes dries up during droughts, but the surrounding jagged cliffs and peaks, along with wildflowers such as deep pink touch-me-nots, dark purple thistles, and yellow agrimony growing along the trail, greet travelers all the same. MoreLess

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3. 3
   Suanbo Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone

   수안보온천 관광특구

   As Korea's first naturally occurring hot spring, its waters have been welling up for about 30,000 years. The name '有溫泉' (You Oncheon, 'there is a hot spring') was recorded as early as the 9th year of King Hyeonjong's reign (1018), and this historic hot spring has been documented in more than 30 historical texts, including the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, the Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, the Yeojido, the Cheonggudo, and the Daedong Yeojido. MoreLess

   

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