The Place Where King Sejo’s Procession Came to a Halt: Jeongipumsong Pine Tree in Boeun
Jeongipumsong is a roughly 600-year-old pine tree that acquired its current name through a legend associated with King Sejo of Joseon’s journey to Songnisan Mountain. It is open year-round, and can be reached by taking a bus to Songnisan from Boeun Intercity Bus Terminal.
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A Natural Monument First Seen at 99 Beopjusa-ro
Jeongipumsong is a pine tree located at 99 Beopjusa-ro, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. The Korea Heritage Service classifies this tree as Natural Monument No. 103 and presents it as heritage corresponding to natural heritage, natural monuments, cultural and historical monuments, and folklore.
The registered quantity is one pine tree, and the registered location is 17-3 Sangpan-ri, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. It is managed by Boeun-gun, and the owner or owning organization also includes Chungcheongbuk-do.
A Pine Tree Estimated to Be About 600 Years Old, Designated as National Heritage on December 7, 1962
Jeongipumsong is an old pine tree estimated to be about 600 years old. It is described as approximately 16 m tall, with a trunk circumference of about 4.7 m measured 1 m above ground level.
Its national heritage designation date is December 7, 1962. Located along the road to Beopjusa Temple, this tree has long been introduced as a symbol representing Songnisan and Boeun. In the past, it was also used as a commemorative photo location for school excursion groups and organized tourists.
The Story of King Sejo’s Procession That Gave Jeongipumsong Its Name
The name Jeongipumsong originates from a traditional account related to King Sejo of Joseon’s procession to Songnisan. According to the story, he worried that the branches might catch on the royal palanquin as he passed by.
When King Sejo said, “The palanquin will catch on the pine branch,” a lower branch supposedly lifted itself, allowing the palanquin to pass. King Sejo then granted the tree the rank of Jeong 2-pum, equivalent to a cabinet-level official rank today. This tradition explains the tree’s present name and symbolic significance.
A Changed Shape After Strong Winds and Heavy Snow
Jeongipumsong has a history of infection by pine needle gall midges in the 1980s. Records also state that one side of the tree almost disappeared after strong winds in 1993 and heavy snow in 2004. As a result, its current appearance differs from the balanced, conical form introduced in the 1980s.
In 2008, plastic pipes were buried in the soil layer around the base to aid root respiration, and drainage channels were installed. Artificial bark was applied to wounded areas as tree surgery to prevent rainwater from penetrating them, and a tree clinic was designated to monitor the tree’s health regularly.
Visible from 00:00, but Not a Tourist Site Where You Enter the Tree’s Area
Operating hours could not be confirmed on the official tourism page, and information stating that it is open at all times and year-round requires verification. No separate admission fee for Jeongipumsong itself could be confirmed, and it is not presented as a paid tourist attraction with adult fees or a ticket office.
However, publicly available materials do not confirm whether photography is prohibited, whether English information or an audio guide is available, wheelchair or stroller accessibility, viewing restrictions during severe weather, or the extent of access to the viewing area around the tree. Even when viewing the tree up close, visitors should not assume that they may enter the base area or the protected zone.
From Boeun Intercity Bus Terminal to Songnisan Bus Stop
Visitors from outside the area can use Boeun Intercity Bus Terminal as their starting point. Travel reviews indicate that visitors can take a local bus bound for Songnisan from the terminal, get off at Songnisan Bus Stop, and walk approximately 15 minutes to Jeongipumsong.
The current bus route number and service interval could not be confirmed in publicly available materials. Therefore, do not plan on buses arriving frequently; include the approximately 15-minute walk from Songnisan Bus Stop in your itinerary. Those arriving from Seoul, Cheongju, or other cities can first travel to Boeun Intercity Bus Terminal and then transfer along this route.
Jeongipumsong Park and the Lotus Complex After a 40-Minute Visit
Travel reviews mention a viewing time of approximately 40 minutes at Jeongipumsong. Since this is a place to see a single tree, it is more suited to a short stop to read the information and examine the tree’s shape and trunk than to a long stay.
Tourism information lists Jeongipumsong and Jeongipumsong Park as the same location, marked as 0 km apart. The nearby Boeun Songnisan Lotus Complex is listed as 0.1 km away. At Jeongipumsong Park, visitors can see a space recreating the image of Jeongipumsong from the era of King Sejo and a royal palanquin procession, and palanquin experiences are also offered. Reviews also record that visitors rode palanquin bicycles at the park.
Phone Numbers to Know for an Itinerary Including Jeongipumsong
The main telephone number for Jeongipumsong and Jeongipumsong Park is 043-540-3393. The official tourism information URL is https://www.tourboeun.go.kr/prog/tursmCn/tour/sub01_01/view.do?cntno=90, and the address is 99 Beopjusa-ro, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do.
The local cultural heritage utilization project related to Jeongipumsong is connected with the Culture and Tourism Division of Boeun-gun Office, and the project materials list 043-540-3407. The phone number for the Boeun Traditional Culture Preservation Association, 070-7795-3989, and the main inquiry number for Boeun-gun Office, 043-540-3374, are also provided in related materials, but this does not mean that permanent programs are currently operating.
Distinguish the Protected Area and Seasonal Programs Before Tickets or Reservations
Some materials state that the site is open at all times and year-round with no separate admission fee, but additional confirmation is needed to determine whether this remains true. No separate admission fee for Jeongipumsong itself has been confirmed, while experience programs have operated on separate schedules. For example, “Five-Senses Delight! Jeongipumsong” was scheduled in 2023 from May 6 to May 28, Fridays and Saturdays from 13:00 to 17:00, for a total of eight sessions, with groups and families of approximately 40 people or eight families.
A program with the same name in 2018 was introduced as running every weekend from May 5 to June 10, from 13:00 to 17:30, for a total of 12 sessions. Approximately 40 people per session were accommodated, and a reservation deposit of 10,000 won per family was specified. Do not mistake this past schedule and deposit for the current admission fee; participating in a program and general sightseeing to view Jeongipumsong are separate activities.
Before You Go
- Address
- 99 Beopjusa-ro, Songnisan-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
- Hours
- Operating hours could not be confirmed on the official tourism page; information stating that it is open at all times and year-round requires verification
- Closed
- Operating hours could not be confirmed on the official tourism page; information stating that it is open at all times and year-round requires verification
- Admission
- No separate admission fee for Jeongipumsong itself has been confirmed
- Phone
- 043-540-3393
- Official site
- https://www.tourboeun.go.kr/prog/tursmCn/tour/sub01_01/view.do?cntno=90
- Transport
- Take a local bus bound for Songnisan from Boeun Intercity Bus Terminal, get off at Songnisan Bus Stop, and walk approximately 15 minutes, according to travel reviews
- Parking
- Parking available. Parking fees could not be confirmed in publicly available materials.
- Time needed
- Approximately 40 minutes according to travel reviews
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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Food & Dining 3
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Gisanim SikdangA Korean restaurant where visitors to Songnisan Mountain and local residents dine. -
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Gilsong RestaurantA restaurant serving wild vegetable dishes and local cuisine from Songnisan Mountain -
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