Over the past five years of my maple leaf hunting journeys, I’ve actually visited Naejangsan National Park three times...
Located in both North and South Jeolla Provinces, Naejangsan is renowned for its vibrant autumn foliage, making it one of the most popular spots for leaf-peeping in South Korea. The most convenient way to get there from Seoul is to take the KTX to Jeongeup, then stay overnight in Jeongeup to catch an early morning local bus to the park.
After purchasing an entrance ticket, I entered the grounds of Naejangsa Temple and continued to be surrounded by a sea of red maple leaves. The ancient temple architecture intertwined with the red and yellow leaves covering the mountains created nature’s most beautiful illustration.
Of course, I couldn’t miss the postcard-perfect spot – the Uhwajeong Pavilion. It’s breathtaking no matter when you visit.
There’s no direct bus from Naejangsan to Baegyangsa Temple. To avoid backtracking to Jeongeup, the most convenient and time-saving option was to take a taxi. I remember the ride took about twenty-five minutes and cost around 20,000 won.
Compared to the overwhelming splendor of Naejangsan, Baegyangsa Temple exudes a gentler and more refined beauty. Walking from the temple gate toward the Ssanggyeru Pavilion, the path is lined with red leaves and lake reflections, resembling a scene from a fairyland.
And of course, I ended up at another postcard-worthy location – the autumn scenery at Ssanggyeru Pavilion. It’s truly a breathtaking painting...
More photos of Naejangsan National Park can be found on my original blogspot post.
http://nuna-ada.blogspot.hk/2014/09/blog-post_23.html
http://nuna-ada.blogspot.hk/2014/10/blog-post.html
Transportation:
Take the KTX from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to Jeongeup City; the journey takes about two and a half hours.
From Jeongeup City, take local bus No. 171 and get off at the Naejangsan Bus Terminal; the ride takes about forty minutes.Upon exiting Jeongeup Train Station, walk straight ahead onto Jeongeup City’s main street where you can catch bus No. 171.
To travel from Naejangsan to Baegyangsa Temple, the most time-efficient and non-backtracking option is also to take a taxi. Alternatively, you can take a train from Jeongeup Train Station to Baegyangsa Temple Station and then transfer to a taxi, or take a taxi directly. The journey takes about forty minutes and costs around 35,000 won.