Maisan(Mt. Mai)

Maisan itself was appointed number 12 of scenic places of Korea by the government. It is formed of sedimentary rock and consists of two peaks, Ammaisan(female Mai Peak, 667m) and Sutmaisan(male Mai Peak, 667m).  In the Shilla era it was callesd Seodasan, Yongchulsan in the

Goryeo era, and since the Joseon era it was called Maisan because the peaks looked like the ears of a horse.

Until one hundred million years ago, in the late Mesezoic Era, Maisan was a fresh water lake and during the great flood, gravel filled up the lake and sedimentary rock was formed by water pressure. Maisan rose due to diastrophism that happened about 6-70million years ago, and today fossils of fresh-water fish can be found from time to time.

In the Shilla Era the name of Maisan was Seodasan.  It is a name borrowed from the pronounciation of the Chinese name of Seodasan or Soddasan(rising mountain).  Also its was also known as Yongchubong or Yongchusan.  This also means rising mountain.

In the old days local residents called Maisan as Sokgeumsan often.  It is said that Taejo of the Choson dynasty named it.  On one hand some argue that the name Sokgeumsan was derive from the name Sodgeumsan which also means rising mountain.

Afterwards it was named Maisan, because the peaks of the mountain sprout up like the ears of a horse.

The name Maisan is also in the Goryeosa, the History of Goryeo.

There is also a saying that Maisan was known as Doddaebong(Mast-like Peak) in the spring,  Yonggakbong in the summer, Maisan in the autumn and Munpibong in the winter, however these names only portrayed how the local residents saw the mountain but never actually used.

Among many attractions in Maisan, there is the famous temple, which was appointed number 39 of regional treasures by Jeolla-do.  In the winter, you can witness a phenomenon where the icicle is formed facing the sky from distilled water.  In the spring, around April, a tunnel of cherry blossom is formed that links Isanmyo, south part of Maisan, and the pagoda temple.  Cherry blossom festivals are held around this time and flood of tourist take part in the festivals to see the spectacular view.

Mt. Cheonbansan

Mt. Cheonbansan is studded with the legend of Jung Yeorip.

However before that, Mt. Cheonbansan was a place of strategic importance in age of the Three States that we barely knew of.

We can see by the old trace of fortress walls that remains today, that a great deal of number of soldiers stationed here depending on the center of Jinan, Muju, Jangsu and the convenient water transport of Cheoncheon and Guryangcheon.  It seems that Jung Yeorip knew the strategic advantages of Mt. Cheonbansan and came and went from Jukdo.

In the old archives of Mt. Cheonbansan, it was called Cheonbangsan because a mere thousand troops could defend it and that it was a natural stronghold.