Taebaek-san (Big White Mountain) is, for shamanists, one of the most sacred mountains in Korea. Five year-round hiking trails snake up through the park to the summit, Janggun-bong (1568m) and Cheonjedan (천제단), an altar connected with Korea’s mythical founder, Dangun. Included in the ticket is admission to the Taebaek Coal Museum , which documents the history of coal mining in the region.
Cheonjedan is a 3m-high stark stone structure believed to have been used since the Shilla dynasty. Ceremonies are performed here on New Year’s Day and during Taebaek-je (Taebaek folk festival; 태백제) in early October. There is also a shrine to Dangun (단군성전), with a rare outdoor statue of its namesake, about 800m from the park entrance.
Cheonjedan is a 4.5km hike northwest from the park entrance; allow 2½ hours to get there. The other peak, Munsu-bong (1546m), is 4km from the park entrance and 3km from Cheonjedan. The park is especially crowded during Taebaek-je and when the royal azaleas bloom in June. Most of the hiking signs are in Korean only.
