Mudeungsan

Mudeungsan
File:Korea-Mount Mudeung-Pavilion in winter-01.jpg A pavilion on the mountain during winter
Highest point
Elevation
Coordinates
Geography
Mudeungsan South Korea
Korean name
Hangul	무등산
Hanja	無等山
Revised Romanization	Mudeungsan
McCune–Reischauer	Mutŭngsan

Mudeungsan is a mountain in South Korea. It extends over the district of Buk-gu in the city of Gwangju, Hwasun County and Damyang County in the province of Jeollanam-do. Mudeungsan has an elevation of 1,187 m (3,894 ft). Mudeungsan is a part of Mudeungsan National Park, which gained national park status in 2012. It was new designation in 24 years after Byeonsan-bando and Wolchulsan. The summit of Mudeungsan is named Cheonwang summit. However, after being designated as protection zone of military installations by air force, the highest spot climbers can get without permission is Seoseokdae Rock has an elevation of 1,100 m (3,609 ft).

Looking from the summit, Hallasan in Jejudo, and Geojedo in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do Province can be seen.

Name

File:중머리재.jpg

Jungmeorijae of Mudeungsan

It was known as “Moo Ak” or “Moo Jin Ak” due to its location in Moo Jin Joo, which is Gwangju’s former name. As most of the big mountain ranges are related to shamanism, it was also called as “the Grave Mountain” or “The Shaman Mountain.” The Moodeungsan range is primally composed of soil rather than rocks. Seoseokdae, Ipseoukdae, and Kyu summit are still beautiful and magnificent. Thus, it was called “Seo Seok” mountain during the Goryeo dynasty. It was after the introduction to Buddhism in Korea that it was called as “Moodeung san”. People believed the grand tower of the mountain cannot be compared to the mankind. This is interpreted through understanding the roots of the name through Chinese “Hanja.” The name is originated through Gwangju’s original name Moodeul or Moodol. We read as “Jin” in Moojin through the Chinese roots in characters, but in the past, we read as Deul or Dol through our native roots in our language. Moo Deung is also similar transliteration. There is also a placed called “Soo Ip ee” so there are more circumstantial evidences.

History

On 22 May 1972, Mudeungsan is designated as a provincial park. On 29 April 1974, the government notified a basic park plan (the 61st notification of Jeollanamdo). On 1 September 1987, government installed the Mudeungsan Park Administrative Office. On 24 September 1998, government establishes a comprehensive plan about conservation and use of Mudeungsan. On 7 December 2001, government changes a basic park plan. On 24 December 2010, the city of Gwangju filed a petition to the minister of environment to designate Mudeungsan as a national park. On 31 December 2012, Mudeungsan is designated as a national park. On 4 March 2013, government installs Mudeungsan national park office and east office. On 3 December 2015, government notifies withdrawal of military bases

Elevation of the status as provincial park and national park

Mudeungsan was designated as a provincial park in 1972. It is located at the city of Gwangju and Hwasun County and Damyang County. It has a total area of 30.23 km². In 2012, it was designated as a national park. It has a total area of 75.425㎢. However, Gwangju lake area and some cultural areas were excluded from national park, because of the opposition from local government and local residents.

Natural monument

Mudeungsan Jusangjeolli Cliff is protected as natural monument No. 465.

In this mountain, there are many valuable animals such as otters, wildcats, buzzards, and wonangs, designated as endangered.

In addition, there are many cultural heritages in mountain. So South Korea Government decided to Natural monument because of Value of Environment.

Summit open

In 2011, after it is stationed by the military, Inwang summit and Jiwang summit were open in just 45 years. However, the Cheongwang summit was not open, because there is air defense facilities. People who are only under military's identification after learning about security related subjects from Jangbuljae can go there. It was open twice in 2011 and quarterly in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, it was open just one time. In 2015, it was open three times.

Environment

The main mountain rage of Mudeungsan is Sobaek Mountains. Mudeungsan has gradual descent toward the ground. The slope less than 10% is 64.9% of Mudeungsan. Average temperature for the year is 13.2℃(55.76℉) that has 5℃(9℉) of difference with the downtown of Gwangju. Average rainfall for the year is about 1,500㎜ that is more 200㎜ than the downtown of Gwangju. Clearday is 53days of 365days.

Tourist attractions around Mudeungsan

• Soswaewon Garden
• Songgangjeong Pavilion
• Myeonangjeong Pavilion
• Sigyeongjeong Pavilion
• Hwanbyeokdang Pavilion
• Riverside Eco Park
• Unjusa Temple
• Ssangbongsa Temple
• Gokseong Train Village
• Boseong Green Tea Farm
• Chuwolsan Mountain
• Damyang Bamboo Garden
• Hwasun Hot Springs
• Dogok Hot Springs

See also

• List of mountains in Korea
• National parks of South Korea
• Jeungsimsa temple
• Wonhyosa temple

Further reading

• 박선홍, 《무등산》(전남매일출판국, 1976)