Sobaeksan Hiking and Punggi Ginseng Market

This itinerary is a hiking course on Sobaeksan Mountain. Trek through Sobaeksan via Huibang Valley, Huibang Falls, and Huibangsa Temple, and then relax your body in a warm, high-quality sulfur hot spring. The fatigue from the hike will melt away at once. Next, the Punggi Ginseng Market is a must-visit. Here, you can not only purchase fine ginseng but also experience various ginseng-related activities and taste delicious ginseng dishes.

Along the way

1. 1

   Sobaeksan National Park (Gyeongbuk)

   소백산국립공원(경북)

   Branching southwest from Taebaeksan Mountain and rising above the clouds, Sobaeksan Mountain forms the border of the three provinces of Gyeongsang-do, Gangwon-do, and Chungcheong-do, meandering southwest for over a hundred li. Standing as the backdrop to the four districts of Yeongju, Yecheon, Danyang, and Yeongwol, it is a sacred mountain blessed with a clear, graceful, and spirited aura like the dignified demeanor of a classical scholar (seonbi), guarding the peace and happiness of the region. It also serves as an important hub corresponding to the spine of the Korean Peninsula. In particular, the ninety-nine winding turns of Jungnyeong Pass, which coils around the waist of Sobaeksan, is one of the three major gateways to the Yeongnam region, imbued with the joys and sorrows of past scholars traveling to take the state examinations. Birobong Peak (1,439.5m), the highest peak, is home to a colony of yew trees designated as a Natural Monument, and is connected to a series of mountain peaks including Gungmangbong Peak (1,421m), where scholars prayed toward the royal palace in Hanyang for the peace of the king and the country in difficult times, Yeonhwabong Peak (1,394m) with Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory, and Dosolbong Peak (1,315m), where traces of an ancient mountain fortress remain. MoreLess

   

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2. 2

   Lunch (Sunheung Traditional Mukjip)

   점심식사(순흥전통묵집)

   Made using traditional methods passed down from ancient times, this buckwheat jelly (memilmuk) retains its authentic flavor. The harmonious pairing of the jelly with cooked foxtail millet rice is exquisite, offering the comforting taste of home. MoreLess

   

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3. 3
   Sobaeksan Punggi Spa

   소백산풍기온천

   Located 3 km away from downtown Punggi-eup, Sobaeksan Punggi Spa is one of the nation's premier sulfur hot springs, using 100% natural water containing fluoride drawn from 800 meters underground. Sobaeksan National Park is nearby, making it easy to combine your visit with hiking, while sites such as Buseoksa Temple, Sosu Seowon, and Seonbichon Village showcase the roots of Confucian and Buddhist cultures. The spring water of Sobaeksan Punggi Spa contains beneficial substances like sulfur, fluoride, and bicarbonate dissolved in it, which are known to be exceptionally effective for chronic arthritis, neuralgia, heavy metal poisoning, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, and skin care. MoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Punggi Ginseng Market

   풍기인삼시장

   Opened in September 1990 in front of Punggi Station with a total floor area of 1,436 pyeong, this ginseng market offers fresh and white ginseng on a regular basis. As of 2001, it houses around 60 shops. With the full opening of the Jungang Expressway in December 2001, the market has become vibrant, with sales rising by more than 50% due to the influx of visitors via the "Punggi IC." Commerce is thriving thanks to the development of secondary menu items and products such as Punggi ginseng galbi, Punggi ginseng gomtang, and samgyetang. In addition, the Punggi Ginseng Festival is held annually from late September to early October, attracting numerous domestic and international tourists with diverse events such as ginseng digging experiences, the Ginseng Beauty Pageant, and ginseng cooking exhibitions. MoreLess

   

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