[Joyongjun's Travel Journey] The Silver Brilliant Pure White World of Autumn's Farewell

Gangwon-do Inje Wondaeri Birch Forest - An Autumn Journey Calling for Healing

[Asia Economy, Cho Yong-jun, Travel Specialist Reporter]

As the wind blows, the pure white birch trees tremble all over.

The forest where the wind has passed feels dreamy and exotic.

And intense.

You are drawn into the forest.

The fragrant scent of the trees wafts sharply into your nose.

Your mind clears like peppermint.

The colors of nature are changing.

Before you know it, autumn has arrived and is preparing to retreat.

We head to a place that perfectly suits the deepening autumn journey.

It is the silvery brilliant pure white world of the Inje Wondaeri Birch Forest.

After being first introduced to the world through our travel column,

the forest path was officially developed in 2012 and became famous.

The forest, selected as one of the 'Top 100 Korean Tourist Attractions' that Koreans must visit, is arguably the best birch forest in Korea.

It is a place where you can walk into the forest, smell, listen, and touch ? a place where all five senses connect.

Due to COVID-19, visitors must fill out an entry log before hiking the mountain trail.

The path is over 3 km one way.

Walking slowly, it takes about an hour to reach the entrance of the birch forest.

Excited to meet it after a long time, the heart flutters and the body is already ecstatic.

Standing on the observatory, you look down at the forest.

The sight of countless birch trees revealing their white naked trunks forming a vast forest is dazzlingly beautiful.

The silvery brilliant pure white world is tinged with colorful autumn leaves.

The autumn foliage is said to be less vibrant than usual.

Due to the drastic temperature swings from summer to winter, the colors are not as vivid.

However, the multicolored screen of leaves surrounding the birch trees remains beautiful.

'Birch tree' is a pure Korean word. It was named because it makes a 'jajak-jajak' sound when burned.

The bark of the birch tree, which minimizes moisture and endures itself neatly even in minus 70-degree cold, is white, soft, and glossy.

Its cold yet noble appearance is the romance and charm that birch trees possess.

Take a step forward.

You feel completely cut off from the civilized world. At this moment, the birch forest becomes entirely yours.

The feeling of stepping on the forest path is comfortable yet brings a unique scenery.

Seeing the birch trees up close exudes a mysterious charm.

You quickly understand why birch trees are called the 'nobles of the forest.'

Entering the forest where the silvery white bark shines, you can't help but admire it regardless of the season.

It reminds one of the poem 'Baekhwa' by poet Baek Seok.

The mountain house's beams, pillars, and door frames are birch trees./

At night, the mountain where foxes bark is birch trees./

The firewood used to boil delicious buckwheat noodles is birch trees./

And the sweet spring water like nectar is birch trees./

This mountain village, where you can even see the land of Pyeongan-do beyond the mountain, is all birch trees.

Visitors become immersed in emotions within the white forest.

Groups of three or five linger, reluctant to leave the forest.

They gaze blankly at the dazzling birch trees and feel the forest.

The feeling the forest gives changes with each season.

Many say the birch forest is most beautiful in winter when snow falls.

When all the leaves have fallen and only the white trunks remain, the snow transforms the world into a purely white realm.

However, the birch forest's beauty lasts not only in winter but throughout spring, summer, and autumn.

It takes about 50 minutes to make a full circuit of the birch forest.

Along the trail, there are jungle huts, wooden benches, observatories, and rest areas inviting you to rest without hurry.

Turning around, you find yourself sitting down again.

Inje = Written and photographed by Cho Yong-jun, Travel Specialist Reporter jun21@

◇ Travel Notes

△ Getting there = From the Seoul metropolitan area, take the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, exit at Donghongcheon IC, and take the national road toward Inje. After passing the 38th Parallel Rest Area and crossing Namjeon Bridge, turn right at the three-way intersection and drive about 10 minutes to reach the parking lot. Avoid weekends as much as possible. Due to many visitors, parking can be very stressful. After parking, you must walk the mountain trail for over an hour to reach the entrance of the birch forest.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.