About Mt. Geumjeongsan
With dense forests and crystal-clear
running water, this mountain is a rich habitat of
diverse animals and plants.
Mt. Geumjeongsan used to be called a patriotic mountain that was historically used to defend the nation. It also has one of Korea’s most prominent temples, Beomeosa Temple and Korea’s largest fortress, Geumjeongsanseong Fortress.
Tourist Attractions
Three Rocks Eight Scenic Spots, Samgi Palgyeong
- Three Mysterious Things, Samgi(三奇)
- This is a general term indicating three unique and noteworthy rocks on Mt. Geumjeongsan:Amsanggeumjeong, Wonhyoseokdae, and Jaungseokgye.
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- The 1st Mysterious Thing Amsanggeumjeong (岩上金井)
- This term means a golden well (geumjeong) on a rock which refers to the foundation legend. The name of Geumjeongsan Mountain originated from this rock floor with the golden well.
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- The 2nd Mysterious Thing Wonhyoseokdae (元曉石臺)
- There are 50 flat rocks (seokdae) towering vertically behind Wonhyoam Hermitage as if they were sharpened to form erect points. They are believed to have been used by Great Master Wonhyo in Zen meditation.
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- The 3rd Mysterious Thing Jaungseokgye (雌雄石溪)
- The Venerable Uisang established Gyemyeongam Hermitage on a spot where a couple of chickens turned into rocks. Jaungseokgye is situated on the right side of Gyemyeongam Hermitage, and only the rooster-shaped stone has still remained until today.
- Eight Scenic Spots (八景)
- This term indicates eight scenic views created by nature such as scenic forests, rocks in water, and fresh and cool winds.
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- The 1st Scenic Spot Eosan Mountain Old Pine (魚山老松)
- Entering the precinct of Beomeosa Temple, you can first see beautiful, luxuriant pine groves lining up along both sides of a trail around Eosangyo Bridge. These pine forests are called Eosan Old Pine.
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- The 2nd Scenic Spot Daeseongeunsu (大聖隱水)
- On the left side of the main hall of Beomeosa Temple is Daeseongam Hermitage, which is situated on a rock in a valley. Water running quietly under the rock sounds beautiful as it harmonizes with the valley and rocks; hence the name, Daeseongeunsu.
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- The 3rd Scenic Spot Geumgangmanpung (金剛晩楓)
- There is Geumgangam Hermitage surrounded by scenic woods. These woods reveal another picturesque scene when they are turning into autumn foliage. Thus, the landscape is called Geumgangmanpung.
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- The 4th Scenic Spot Cheongryeonyau (淸漣夜雨)
- On the right side of the main hall of Beomeosa Temple is Cheongryeonam Hermitage, which is surrounded by a bamboo grove. The sound of raindrops in this forest at midnight is in harmony with the sound of a brook. Because of the charming and unusual chords of the sounds of raindrops and the brook at midnight, it is called Cheongryeonyau.
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- The 5th Scenic Spot Naewonmojong (內院暮鐘)
- Located behind Cheongryeonam Hermitage, Naewonam Hermitage is where the deepest silence prevails at Beomeosa Temple. The sound of the evening bell from the Main Temple creates a mysterious ambience, consequently called Naewonmojong.
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- The 6th Scenic Spot Gyemyeongchuwol (鷄鳴秋月)
- A mountain top called Gyemyeongbong Peak is at the fare end of the eastern mountain of Beomeosa Temple. This peak has the most gorgeous autumn foliage on Mt. Geumjeongsan, so it is correspondingly called Gyemyeongchuwol.
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- The 7th Scenic Spot Uisangmanghae (義湘望海)
- There is a protruding flat rock along the eastern ridge of Wonhyoam Hermitage 11 kilometers away from Daeseongam Hermitage. This rock is called Uisangdae where the Venerable Uisang sat in Zen meditation overlooking the East Sea. Gyemyeongbong Peak stands east of this place, and lying under it is Beomeosa Temple, with the Hoedong Reservoir viewed in a distance. Wonhyobong Peak and Wonhyoseokdae are positioned in the west, and Godangbong Peak towers tall in the north. Acknowledged as the best observation point, this spot is called Uisangmanghae.