| Halla-san, the Great Mountain |
| Halla-san on a rare clear day, August 2003, from the southeast. At 1950 meters, it's the highest peak in South Korea. A huge ancient volcano which formed this entire island, it has been dormant since 1007 CE. I found 14 Buddhist temples and one mountain-shrine on its ample well-forested lower slopes (there are none up in the alpine areas, which are protected as a National Park). |
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| The crater at the peak, Baek-rok-dam [White Deer Pond, or Hundred Deer Pond] is the holiest site on Jeju-do. There is a small lake in it which changes size according to the weather. White animals such as deer, cows or tigers (albinos?) are considered sacred by Koreans. An old tale claimed that 100 Shin-seon [spiritual-immortals, enlightened persons] enjoyed riding around on white deer up here, hence the name. Annual ceremonies to Heaven and the Spirit of Halla-san were held here until the 15th Century, when the altar was moved to the NE slope. More on the importance of this crater is here. |
| The dramatic rock formations on the south-western slope, starting from the Yeong-shil [Spirit-room] trailhead and marching upwards to the peak, are known as "the Five Hundred Disciples of Buddha" (see these pages for more on the common-in-Korea concept of outstanding rocks as manifesting Buddhas). |
| these three photos courtesy of KNTO |