Jinan: Korea's open-air museum of geological wonders
JINAN, North Jeolla Province — Just a 30-kilometer drive east from Jeonju Station, the rolling green mountains of North Jeolla Province give way to a sight that feels entirely alien yet deeply sacred as two colossal weathered rocks bearing a striking resemblance to a pair of giant horse ears rise abruptly out of the forests of Maisan ("horse ear mountain") Provincial Park. Stepping into this…
Jinan, in North Jeolla Province, is an unexpected open-air museum showcasing Korea's remarkable geological wonders. Approximately 30 kilometers east of Jeonju Station, the picturesque rolling green mountains gradually transform into an extraordinary landscape at Maisan (Horse Ear) Provincial Park.
The key attraction of this region is the presence of two massive weathered rocks that resemble a pair of enormous horse ears. These unusual formations are found in the high-plateau area of the Jinan-Muju National Geopark. This geopark designates Mount Mai as one of three stars in the Michelin Green Guide, the highest rating achievable.
What sets Mount Mai apart is its distinctive texture, unlike the typical granite found throughout the peninsula. The towering cliffs are composed of conglomerate sedimentary rock, characterized by thousands of hollow cavities known as tafoni. Geologists attribute these unique depressions to the environmental conditions during the Fourth Ice Age. During this period, water trapped within the rock fissures would periodically freeze and thaw, expanding and ultimately shattering the stone.
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