Mountain travel scenic routes offer scent of spring (2)

Mount Kyeryong near Kongju

Cherry blossoms are in full bloom, while those in the southern parts of the peninsula have already fallen. Hundreds of cherry trees grow at the entrance of Chonjonggol valley near the Tulmori valley of Tonghak temple, which is famous for its training hall for Buddhist nuns.

Other attractions:

The sculpture park located at the junction of Pakchongja at the entrance of Mt. Kyeryong is well-known as a resting area because of the beautiful harmony of its 25 works by 20 famous sculptors with the surrounding landscape.

Restaurants and Lodging:

There are many inns and home-stays near the parking lot of Tonghak temple, such as Tonghak Sanjang (042-825-4301) and Sansujang (042-825-0022). Tonghak and Kongju restaurants are famous for their use of mountain plants.

Mount Mai in Jinan

Mount Mai at 685 meters in the Jinan Heights in ``MuJinjang`` (Muju, Jinan and Jangsu) is called Yonchulbong as the two peaks look like two ears. King Taejong, the third monarch of the Choson Kingdom (1392-1910), called it ``Mt. Mai,`` meaning horse ears as the two peaks looked like the ears of a horse. Cherry trees of 20 years or older stand along the 2.5-kilometer road from the entrance of the national road to the foot of the mountain, creating a magnificent and beautiful scene of cherry blossoms around the middle of April.

Other attractions:

In the vicinity of the mountain, there is a valley famous for its unique scenery with a line of gigantic rocks like big houses. It takes 30 minutes to reach here by car from Mt. Mai.

Restaurants and Lodging:

Visitors may taste ``Insam dongdongju,`` a traditional Korean rice wine mixed with ginseng, at Mount Mai Tobagi House (063-432-3373) or Mount Mai Shimto (063-432-3696) and pyogo mushroom ``jongol`` at Mount Mai Garden (063-432-5757) in the northern part of the area. In the southern part, there are also some good restaurants and lodging facilities include Eden Inn.

Min Byung-Jun, travel columnist < mbjbud@chollian.net >