Manisan Mountain

At the southwestern tip of Ganghwa Island, Manisan (472.1 m) is the island's highest peak. On its summit stands Chamseongdan, a stone altar where, according to old geographical records, Dangun, the mythical founder of Korea, offered sacrifices to Heaven. A ceremony is still held here every year on National Foundation Day, and the flame for the National Sports Festival is lit at the altar. From the top, the islands of the Yellow Sea and Incheon International Airport lie below.

History and name: the "head" mountain

Old records such as the "Goryeosa" and the geography section of the "Annals of King Sejong" call it Marisan or Duak, "head peak". "Mari" is an old Korean word for head, so the name means something like "the foremost mountain"; Marisan and Marusan are still used today.

Chamseongdan is said to have been built by Dangun himself. Its round base symbolises Heaven and the square platform on top symbolises Earth. It was designated a national historic site in 1964, and a stele beside it records the altar's restoration.

What to see

• Chamseongdan Altar: rough stones piled into an altar at the end of a rocky ridge. A rite is held here on National Foundation Day (3 October), and the National Sports Festival flame is lit by the "seven fairies".
• Chamseongdan hornbeam: a lone Korean hornbeam rooted in the altar's stonework and designated a Natural Monument. It appears in almost every summit photo.
• Rocky ridge: the ridge from the summit towards Hamheodongcheon or Jeongsusa is open rock with sweeping sea views.
• Yellow Sea panorama: on clear days you can see Incheon International Airport, Yeongjongdo, Jangbongdo and other islands.

Good to know

• People say the mountain lies exactly halfway between Baekdusan and Hallasan, and that it is one of the places in Korea with the strongest "life energy", one reason it draws so many visitors.
• Sources differ on the number of steps on the direct staircase route from the ticket office: 918 or 1,004. Either way, few people climb it without a break.

Nearby

• Jeondeungsa Temple: Ganghwa's best-known temple, about 5 km northeast inside Jeongjoksanseong Fortress, a good stop after the hike.
• Hamheodongcheon: the valley on the south side of Manisan where the ridge route ends.
• Jeongsusa: the temple at the end of course 3, which descends from the summit along the rocky ridge.

Tripto tips

• Hours: 09:00–18:00, with entry to the trails until 16:00; times may change with sunset. Opening hours for the Chamseongdan altar itself vary by season, so check with the park office (032-930-7068).
• Admission (individual): adults KRW 2,000, teenagers and soldiers KRW 1,000, children KRW 700; free for children 6 and under and visitors 65 and over. Parking is free.
• Choosing a route: the fastest way up is the staircase route (course 1) straight from the ticket office. Popular alternatives are climbing the gentler Dangun-ro and descending by the stairs, or crossing the summit ridge down to Hamheodongcheon.
• Time needed: 2 to 3 hours return on the staircase route, 3 to 4 hours for the Hamheodongcheon traverse. The ridge rock can be slippery, so wear hiking boots.