Munsusa Temple Maple Forest, Gochang

Halfway up Munsusan (621 m), on the border between Gochang and Jangseong, the last stretch of road to Munsusa Temple runs through a dense grove of centuries-old maples. The Munsusa Maple Forest holds about 500 maples estimated at 100 to 400 years old, and because the temple protected it for generations it was declared a Natural Monument in 2005. In late autumn the small, finely coloured leaves of these "baby maples" turn the short mountain road deep red.

What kind of forest is it?

The forest lines both sides of the approach road for about 80 m, from the foot of the mountain to the temple entrance. The walk is short, but the trees are remarkable. Trunks measure 30–80 cm across at chest height and the trees reach 10–15 m; several have a girth of more than 2 m, and the largest reaches 2.96 m.

The protected area covers about 120,000 m². Among the maples grow other old trees such as painted maple, oak, hornbeam, hackberry and zelkova, with dogwood, snowbell and beautyberry in the understorey and dwarf bamboo carpeting the ground. The grove survived because it was looked after as temple forest for centuries.

Munsusa Temple

Munsusa is said to date from the reign of King Uija of Baekje; sources give the founding year as 643 or 644. Its founding legend says the Silla monk Jajang, returning from training on Mount Qingliang in Tang China, noticed how much this mountain resembled it, prayed in a rock cave and found a statue of Manjusri Bodhisattva in the ground. The main hall, Munsujeon, a wooden Buddha triad, a wooden seated Ksitigarbha and a stupa are listed as provincial heritage. Besides the main hall and Munsujeon there are smaller halls such as Myeongbujeon and Hansanjeon. Outside the foliage season it is a quiet mountain temple. Step into the courtyard at the end of the forest road and the maples you have just walked through seem to wrap round the temple like a hedge.

Tripto tips

• Best time: the leaves usually peak in early to mid-November, though it varies from year to year. Fresh spring green in May–June is lovely too.
• How to visit: the forest is protected and fenced along the road, so stay on the road rather than walking among the trees. The temple is open from sunrise to sunset and has parking and toilets. Enquiries: Munsusa, +82 63-562-0502.
• Time needed: about 1 hour for the forest road and the temple.
• Getting there: the address is 135 Chilseong-gil, Gosu-myeon, Gochang. From Gosu-myeon, drive past the Gosu kiln site and Josan Reservoir and follow the valley on the left for about 6 km. Public transport does not really reach it, so a car is easiest.
• Watch out: on foliage-season weekends the narrow road fills up with cars. Arrive early in the morning for a calmer walk.
• Etiquette: Munsusa is a working temple, so keep your voice down in the grounds and do not photograph inside the halls.
• Combine with: the Jangseong National Healing Forest lies just across the mountain if you want a longer forest walk.