Seonunsan Provincial Park

Seonunsan is modest in height - 336 metres - but the park around it is one of the better temple valleys in the south-west. Seonunsa was founded in the sixth century and sits in a broad wooded valley; behind and above it, on the cliff at Dosolam, is a Maaebul, a Buddha carved in relief into the rock face, Goryeo in date and around fifteen metres tall, reached by a walk up the valley past hermitages. The grove behind the temple is the other draw: several thousand camellia trees, designated a natural monument, which flower dark red from late March into April when little else is out, and which have made the temple a fixture of spring photography. In September the valley floor turns red with cluster amaryllis, and in autumn the maples take over. The rock ridges above give short scrambling walks with views to the West Sea.

What you actually see

• The camellia grove - the natural-monument trees behind the temple.
• The rock-carved Buddha - the Maaebul relief at Dosolam.
• Seonunsa - the sixth-century temple in the valley.
• The amaryllis - red flowering across the valley in September.

When to go

Late March to April for camellia, September for cluster amaryllis, October for maple - three distinct seasons, each busy in its short window.

Honest expectations

The camellia and amaryllis windows are short and shift with the year. The walk to the Maaebul is a valley path with a climb at the end. Park fee applies.

Nearby

Gochang's dolmen site is close; Byeonsanbando is north up the coast.