Home > The Natural Scene > The protection range of the biogeocenosis

Classification   The protection range of nature  Length   173,691,246m2  Date of listings   November 05th, 1965  Location   A part of Inje-gun Sokcho-si Gangwon-do, A part of Yangyang-gun  Proprietor   Government ownership or private ownership  Administrator   Inje-gun, Sokcho-si, Yangyang-gun  General Description  The Sorak Mt Natural Preservation area is largely extended through Inje-kun, Yangyang-kun, and Sokcho-si in Kangwon province. The name Sorak is given that the main peak, Daechong peak (1708m) is covered with snow for 5-6 months yearly. This area belongs to the low-temperature area, where the annual average temperature does not exceed more than 10 degree C, and the average annual rainfall in the Inner Sorak is 1000mm, and 1300mm in the Outer Sorak. The secret of the magnificent beauty of Sorak mountain is considered to be caused by the large scaled influx of granite, as well as the discriminative erosion from the difference of the rock characteristics and cuttings.  It is reported that 1013 kinds of plants are living inside the natural preservation area: They are mainly broadleaf trees, such as Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum var. nudicarpum, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum var. nudicarpum, and Carpinus laxiflora, as well as needle-leaf tress, such as pine trees, big cone pine, and Abies nephrolepis. In addition, there are 65 kinds of Korean special products, such as Geumgangbaenamoo, Androsace cortusaefolia, Geumkang Androsace cortusaefolia, Androsace cortusaefolia, Androsace cortusaefolia, Taxus caespitosa, Spiraea pubescens var. laciocarpa, Adenophora grandiflora, and Leontopodium coreanum, and 56 kinds of rare plants, such as Rhododendron aureum, Iris uniflora var. carinata, Iris uniflora var. carinata, and Iris uniflora var. carinata. As for animals in the natural preservation area, 1562 kinds of animals are reported; among them, Iris uniflora var. carinata , musk deer, mountain goat, otter, Iris uniflora var. carinata, kestrel, Chinese sparrow hawk, Accipiter soloensis, lenok, and Chinese sparrow hawk, Accipiter soloensis are designated as natural treasures.  The Sorak Mountain Natural Preservation Area has a lot of geology, topography, as well as affluent animal and plant resources which need to be specially preserved, and they are also very beautiful. In addition, It is one of the most important mountains in Korea, having a lot of cultural heritage, such as traditional Buddhist temples, and thus the whole Sorak mountain was designated and is protected as natural treasure.  Details  The area which is designated as the Sorak Mountain Preservation Area is located between 38degress 5 minutes 25 seconds 38 degrees 12 minutes 36 seconds north latitude and 128 degrees 18 minutes 6 seconds 128 degrees 30 minutes 43 seconds of east longitude, and is extended through Sokcho-si, Kangwon province, Toseong-myun Koseong-kun, Buk-myun Inje-kun, Kanghyun-myun and Seo-myun Yangyang-kun, in terms of administrative districts.  This area is located north of the Taebaek mountains; thus runs through for Geumkang mountain and the northern highlands, and runs through for Odae Mt, Taebaek mt, and the Charyung Mountains and the Sobaek Mountains.  Sorak mountain is the third highest mountain after Halla and Jiri mountain and its magnificent beauty is second to none in Korea. Its main peak, Daechong peak is 1708m in altitude, and was named Sorak, because it is coveredwith snow for 5-6 months yearly. Daechong peak is located at the southeast of the preservation area and from there, the ridge are running in all directions. At north, there is the ridge which goes through Madeung peak and Misi peak, and at south, there is the ridge up to the west of Guittekichongbongpeak and runs through to south over Hangye peak. So far, the east of the ridge facing to the north south is called outer Sorak, the west is called Inner Sorak. There is also another ridge in the northeast, which is facing to Kweongeumsung, running through the Hwachae peak and in the east, there is a short ridge facing to the kwanmo peak. In west, there is a ridge running through Daeseung peak and Ansan at the west north west direction from the Guittekichongbongpeak and the physical aspects of the mountain are steep and magnificent, since numerous peaks are standing thence. The Ssangcheon (river) at the north of Outer Sorak, and Yangyang Namdaecheon (river) run through to the East Sea, and the Bukcheon (north river) at the north of the Inner Sorak, and Hangyecheon (river) at the south runs through to west; they all make the nearby beauty more superb and scenic.  The average annual temperature in Sorak mountain does not exceed more than 10 degree C, and the average annual rainfall in the Inner Sorak is 1000mm, and 1300mm in the Outer Sorak.  The geological features of this area is composed of gneiss, Joongsaeng layer which covered the gneiss with irregular unconformity, and the big scaled granite which came into the gneiss. The secret of the magnificent beauty of Sorak mountain is considered to be caused by the large scaled influx of granite, as well as the discriminative erosion from the difference of the rock characteristics and cuttings. The scenic beauty through the valley of the twelve nymphs is the result of the crossings and the difference of the characteristics of rocks.  The peaks of the granite are flat and round, but those of the semi rock group are severely crooked and sharp. This difference is the resultof the different characteristics of rocks and the development of cuttings; the round character of the former is caused by the phenomenon of exfoliation, and the sharp character of the latter is caused by the products of vertical cuttings and oblique angled cuttings.  Guimyun rock is a product resulted from the exfoliation in which the whethering was developed according to the cuttings in the granite, and Hyungjeam, Woolsanam, Mireukbong, Seonyeobong, Hyungjebong, and Haneulbyuk are the examples of fantastic rock caused by cuttings; and Twin fall is an example of product caused by discriminative erosion.