Odaesan
Encyclopedia
Odaesan is a mountain in Gangwon, South Korea, standing at the junction of the districts of Gangneung
, Pyeongchang
, and Hongcheon. A major national landmark, it is the centerpiece of Odaesan National Park
. The name "Odaesan" means "mountain of five plains," which refers to the five high plains which stand between its five peaks.
Odaesan stands at the junction of the Taebaek Mountains
and the Charyeong Mountains, a spur range stretching to the west. The chief of its five peaks is Birobong (비로봉/毘盧峰). It stands just to the south of Seoraksan
along the Baekdudaegan
, the legendary range of white peaks which make up the symbolic spine of the Korean Peninsula
.
The Odaesan region is home to a variety of Korean cultural treasures. Buddhist temples in the area include Woljeongsa
and Sangwonsa. In addition, a royal archive of the Joseon Dynasty
is located there. It was founded in 1606 to house the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty after all but one of the previous archives were burned during the Japanese invasions of Korea. Although the Annals themselves were removed in the early 20th century and taken to Japan, where they were lost in the Great Kanto earthquake, the archive has been restored.
Gangneung
Gangneung is a city in Gangwon-do, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 229,869 . Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. Gangneung has many tourist attractions, like Jeongdongjin, one of the most famous towns in Korea...
, Pyeongchang
Pyeongchang County
Pyeongchang is a county in Gangwon province, South Korea located in the Taebaek Mountains region. It is also home to several Buddhist temples, including Woljeongsa. It is located approximately east of Seoul, the capital of South Korea...
, and Hongcheon. A major national landmark, it is the centerpiece of Odaesan National Park
Odaesan National Park
Odaesan National Park is located in the province of Gangwon-do, South Korea. It was first designated as the 11th national park in 1975. The park is named after the mountain Odaesan, which means "Five Plains Mountain", named after the five plains between the areas five major peaks...
. The name "Odaesan" means "mountain of five plains," which refers to the five high plains which stand between its five peaks.
Odaesan stands at the junction of the Taebaek Mountains
Taebaek Mountains
The Taebaek Mountains are a mountain range in both North Korea and South Korea. They form the main ridge of the Korean peninsula.-Geography:...
and the Charyeong Mountains, a spur range stretching to the west. The chief of its five peaks is Birobong (비로봉/毘盧峰). It stands just to the south of Seoraksan
Seoraksan
Seoraksan is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon province in eastern South Korea. It is located in a national park near the city of Sokcho. After the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island and Jirisan in the south, Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea. The...
along the Baekdudaegan
Baekdudaegan
The Baekdudaegan is a mountain range and watershed-crest-line which runs through most of the length of the Korean Peninsula, from Baekdu Mountain in the north to Jirisan in the south. It is important in traditional Korean thought, a key aspect of Pungsujiri philosophy and practices...
, the legendary range of white peaks which make up the symbolic spine of the Korean Peninsula
Korean Peninsula
The Korean Peninsula is a peninsula in East Asia. It extends southwards for about 684 miles from continental Asia into the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by the Sea of Japan to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait connecting the first two bodies of water.Until the end of...
.
The Odaesan region is home to a variety of Korean cultural treasures. Buddhist temples in the area include Woljeongsa
Woljeongsa
Woljeongsa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on the eastern slopes of Odaesan in Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province, South Korea...
and Sangwonsa. In addition, a royal archive of the Joseon Dynasty
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...
is located there. It was founded in 1606 to house the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty after all but one of the previous archives were burned during the Japanese invasions of Korea. Although the Annals themselves were removed in the early 20th century and taken to Japan, where they were lost in the Great Kanto earthquake, the archive has been restored.
See also
- Wutai ShanWutai ShanMount Wutai , also known as Wutai Mountain or Qingliang Shan, is located in Shanxi, China. The mountain is home to many of China's most important monasteries and temples...
, a Chinese mountain of the same name - BaekdudaeganBaekdudaeganThe Baekdudaegan is a mountain range and watershed-crest-line which runs through most of the length of the Korean Peninsula, from Baekdu Mountain in the north to Jirisan in the south. It is important in traditional Korean thought, a key aspect of Pungsujiri philosophy and practices...
- List of mountains in Korea