Haneuljae, also known as Gyerimnyeong (계립령/鷄立嶺) is a mountain pass

Mountain pass

A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...

 in the Sobaek Mountains

Sobaek Mountains

The Sobaek Mountains are a mountain range cutting across the southern Korean peninsula. They split off from the Taebaek Mountains and trend southwest across the center of the peninsula. They are traditionally considered to reach their southwestern limit at Jirisan, which is also the highest peak...

 of central South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

. It runs between Chungju

Chungju

Chungju is a city in North Chungcheong province, South Korea. Namsan is a mountain located on the outskirts of the city.The city is famous for the annual martial arts festival held in October. Also of note, UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon grew up here....

 city in North Chungcheong province and Mungyeong

Mungyeong

Mungyeong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk Province, South Korea. The local government, economy, and transportation networks are all centered in Jeomchon, the principal town. Mungyeong has a lengthy history, and is known today for its various historic and scenic tourist attractions...

 city in North Gyeongsang province. Haneuljae rises to about 530 metres (1,738.8 ft) above sea level

Sea level

Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...

, between the peaks of Poam Mountain

Poam Mountain

Poamsan is one of the Sobaek Mountains of central South Korea. It rises to above sea level, and stands on the border of Mungyeong City, North Gyeongsang province and Chungju City, North Chungcheong province. To the southwest of its principal peak, Poam mountain descends to the low pass of...

 (963 m) and Juheul Mountain (1106 m).

During the Silla

Silla

Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...

 and Goryeo

Goryeo

The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...

 periods of Korean history, it played a role of critical importance, as the principal pathway between southeastern and southwestern Korea

Korea

Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...

, and in particular between the valleys of the Han

Han River (Korea)

The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...

 and Nakdong

Nakdong River

The Nakdong River is the longest river in South Korea, and passes through major cities such as Daegu and Busan.-Geography:...

 rivers. In the Joseon

Joseon Dynasty

Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...

 period, this role was taken over by the pass of Mungyeong Saejae

Mungyeong Saejae

Mungyeong Saejae is a mountain pass in central South Korea. It lies on Joryeong Mountain between the main peak and Sinseon Peak . The pass itself rises to above sea level. Mungyeong Saejae connects Mungyeong City, North Gyeongsang province with Goesan County in North Chungcheong province...

, and Haneuljae fell into disuse. Today only a minor country road traverses the pass.

Seo (2001) contends that the pass played a particularly critical role in the diffusion of Buddhism

Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...

 into Silla from Goguryeo

Goguryeo

Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....

. The first monks bearing Buddhism to Silla came by land from the north, and Haneuljae would have been their most likely route. In addition, the area around Sangju

Sangju

Sangju is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Although Sangju is rather rural, it is very old and was once a key city. Along with Gyeongju, it gives rise to half of the name of the Gyeongsang provinces...

, which would have been the first major city a traveller from the north would come to after crossing Haneuljae, early became a center of Buddhism, in contrast to much of the rest of Silla, which put up stiff resistance to the new faith.

The Chungju side of Haneuljae is currently protected as part of Woraksan National Park

Woraksan National Park

Woraksan National Park is located in the provinces of Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. It was designated as the 17th national park in 1984. It is named after the mountain Woraksan...

.