Gangwon-do

Duta Mountain

• 
  Duta Mountain

  Duta Mountain

• 
  Duta Mountain

  Duta Mountain

• 
  Duta Mountain

  Duta Mountain

Overview

Dutasan (Mt.) forms the shape of a Buddha lying down It stands in front of Cheongoksan (Mt.) face to face with Bakdallyeong (Ridge) in the middle. Thick forests and old pine trees take deep root into extraordinary cliffs of Dutasan (Mt.) and it is designated as national tour site No.1 of Gangwon-do.
The word Duta means dismissing all agony and train for Buddhism. This leads to the conclusion of Dutasan (Mt.) being strongly related to Buddhism. Although there remain only 3 temples such as Samhwasa, Gwaneumam, and Cheoneunsa now, Mureunggye seems to have been the center of Duta where Buddhism flourished considering historical records that says there were over 10 temples before.
By going about 4km into the southwest from Samhwadong, the entrance of Dutasan (Mt.), there is a huge rock where more than hundreds of people can rest. This rock is〈Mureungban (rock)〉, from which the famous Mureunggye is unfolded. Upon the Mureungbanseok (rock) are carved the writings of Anpyeongdaegun, Han Ho (Seokbong), Kim Gu and Yang Saeon, one of the 4 greatest writers of the Joseon dynasty.
It's interesting that they are praising Dutasan (Mt.) with 12 letters which are 'Mureungseonwon Jungdaecheonseok Dutadongcheon (武陵仙源 中臺泉石 頭陀洞天)'. Mureunggye of Dutasan (Mt.) originates from the term 'Mureungdowon' (Paradise) in of Doyeonmyeong in the Jin dynasty of ancient China. It means that this place is a whole new world separate from the world. There is a site of a fortress, over 2Km in girth, at the entrance of Dutasan starting form Mureunggye. Inside Mureunggye exist famous rocks such as Mureungbanseok and Hoam, Beteulbawi (Loom Rock), Haksodae, Byeorakbawi (Thunder Rock), Byeongpungbawi (Folding Screen Rock), Daegweolteo (Site of a Castle), Munbawi (Door Rock). 3-tier Yongchupokpo (Waterfall), Ssangpok (Waterfall), Chilseongpokpo (Waterfall), Bakdalpokpo (Waterfall), Sangpok (Waterfall), Gwaneumpokpo (Waterfall) add savor to the scenery. These outstanding sceneries has lured poets and artists to Mureunggyegok of Dutasan (Mt.) since time immemorial. The peaks of Dutasan (Mt.) are overlapped with those of Cheongoksan (Mt., 1.403m). Although Dutasan (Mt.) is 51m lower than Cheongoksan (Mt.), people call the whole mountain Dutasan (Mt.).
About 6-kilometer-long ridge connecting Dutasan (Mt.) and Cheongoksan (Mt.) looks like a giant clothes rack, earning the nickname of Euigadeung (meaning hanger shaped peak). By following the ridge which connects Cheongok and Duta, you can realize the praises of old poets.

• 
  Picture1

  Picture1

• 
  Picture2

  Picture2