Discovering the Hidden Autumn Foliage of Yangju: Bukhansan Uiryeong Trail and Obongsan Seokguram Temple
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Are you all busy enjoying the fall foliage every weekend?
Yangju also has a beautiful spot where you can fully enjoy the autumn scenery.
This place has many flat areas like a promenade, making it easy for the elderly and children to visit.
Shall we explore Yangju's hidden autumn foliage spot together?
Bukhansan Uiryeong Trail operates on a reservation system to protect nature.
Reservations are essential during the peak foliage season!
[Pilot Operation from March 2024 to December 2025]
January ~ August, December
Weekends - Reservation required
Weekdays - No reservation needed
September ~ November
Weekdays & Weekends - Reservation required
To make a reservation, visit the website and navigate to 'Trail Reservation → Bukhansan National Park → Uiryeong Trail'.
Select the date, number of people, and course, then enter your name and contact information to complete the reservation!
Once the reservation is complete, you will receive a confirmation message via text. Check in at the Gyohyeon Exploration Support Center entrance on the day of your visit.
⬆️ You can make a reservation on the website above.
Parking
There is no separate parking lot at the Bukhansan Uiryeong Trail Exploration Support Center, so please park at the Songchu Ssangyongsa Temple parking lot.
There is parking space for approximately 20 to 30 cars. Please keep this in mind.
Parking may be limited on weekends, so we recommend visiting early!
"46, Seokgulam-gil, Jangheung-myeon, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do"
Restrooms
There are clean, separate restrooms for men and women before entering the Gyohyeon Exploration Support Center entrance.
It's a good idea to stop by before trekking!
When entering the national park, scan the QR code you reserved in advance.
I visited on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
When I visited, the foliage was not yet at its peak.
Although it was starting to turn red, there were still many green leaves overall.
I can only imagine how beautiful it will be when the foliage season is in full swing.
I wasn't feeling well today, so I planned a round trip course to Obongsan Seokguram Temple.
It's about 2km one way.
Walking along the quiet and secluded trekking path, the ASMR sound of the valley next to me made me feel comfortable.
Thanks to this, I was able to put aside my complicated thoughts for a while and fully focus on the present moment.
The path was mostly flat, so it was easy to walk, and I felt naturally relieved from stress thanks to the phytoncides and negative ions emitted from the forest.
It felt like my body and mind were being refreshed at the same time.
There was a bench in the middle, so it was nice to take a break and have a snack. It tasted even better outside.^^
As I got closer to Obongsan Seokguram Temple, the five peaks of Obongsan began to appear in the sky.
After walking leisurely for about an hour, I arrived at the Obongsan Seokguram Temple intersection.
Bukhansan Uiryeong Trail was mostly flat, but please note that the road to Obongsan Seokguram Temple is uphill and can be challenging!
I took a picture under the ginkgo tree that was turning yellow. The weather was nice, and the scenery of Obongsan Seokguram Temple was so beautiful that I couldn't help but take a picture.
Obongsan Seokguram Temple is an ancient temple with a history of a thousand years. The temple itself is quietly nestled like a hidden gem, so it wasn't very crowded, which allowed me to stay more leisurely.
Located at the foot of Obongsan (683m above sea level), it is located on the mid-slope of Obongsan Gwaneumbong and is famous as a prayer site for Arhats.
The clear and deep water flowing along the towering mountains and valleys behind the temple also attracts many visitors.
Obongsan Seokguram Temple's Jeokmyeolbogung is a sacred hall where the Buddha's relics are enshrined.
Unlike ordinary main halls, it is designed around the enshrinement of relics!
In Korean Buddhism, temples that enshrine these relics are considered pilgrimage sites, and the name '5 Great Jeokmyeolbogung' highlights their rarity and importance.
It is said to be the only Jeokmyeolbogung in the metropolitan area.
Inside, instead of enshrining a Buddha statue directly, it was amazing that the structure allowed visitors to view the relics or the seated Maae Buddha through a glass window!
The head monk of Obongsan Seokguram Temple, who has been there for over 50 years, kindly and meticulously explained the temple.
Because it is located on the mid-slope of Gwaneumbong in Bongsan, the forest and mountains spread out behind it, and the valley and open views are in front of it.
I was able to fully feel the wide view and the tranquility of the mountain temple because I visited on a day with good weather.
The head monk warmly invited me in, saying that he would offer me tea first.
The monk said that he was very interested in the problems of young people these days, and that many young people were experiencing emotional difficulties such as depression and suicide.
So, he is planning to hold a tea ceremony meeting for young people in the future, and he said that he would create a place where they can share their hearts over a cup of tea.
After listening to the head monk's warm words as he carefully poured me a cup of Songi tea, I felt calm and healed just by staying for a while.
After chatting with the head monk, I felt lighter and started back down the mountain.
It took about 3 hours, including rest, to return to the Gyohyeon Exploration Support Center after finishing the trekking.
It's a course that's not too difficult, so it's a good place for people of all ages to come.
Above all, I think I will remember the tranquility and peace I felt at Obongsan Seokguram Temple for a long time!
If you want to feel the autumn scenery and foliage of Yangju, why not take a walk along the quiet and secluded Bukhansan Uiryeong Trail?
I recommend enjoying the end of this fall in a place where you can have time for contemplation.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/yangju619/224059878529
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