Mountain
Palgongsan
, also
Palgong Mountain
, and previously called
Gongsan
, also
Gong Mountain
during the
Later Three Kingdoms
period,
[1]
is a mountain in southeastern
South Korea
, lying on an outlier of the
Taebaek range
.
[2]
It stands on the northeastern border between
Daegu
metropolitan city and
North Gyeongsang
province (including the districts of
Chilgok County
,
Gunwi County
,
Yeongcheon
, and
Gyeongsan
).
[2]
Its peak is 1193 m above
sea level
.
[3]
The mountain is the site of a number of cultural and natural heritage sites. These include Buddhist shrines from the
Silla
period or later, including the large and active temple of
Donghwasa
and the Gunwi Triad Budda Grotto (National Treasure 109).
[4]
In addition, in September 927 the Battle of Gong Mountain or the Battle of Gongsan or Gongsan and Dongsu Battle
[5]
(
ko
) was fought between
Hubaekje
and
Goryeo
forces on the mountain's southern slope.
[1]
Natural treasures include the standing stone of
Gatbawi
, so called from its resemblance to a traditional Korean horsehair hat, or
gat
.
The mountain, connected to downtown
Daegu
by bus, is a popular site for weekend outings from the city.
[6]
History
[
edit
]
In the 9th year of King Sinmun of Unified Silla (689 AD), when an attempt was made to move the capital from Seorabeol to
Dalgubeol
, this mountain was worshiped by the people as the central mountain in the region.
[1]
In 927, at the time of the
Later Three Kingdoms
,
Ky?n Hw?n
of
Later Baekje
led forces into
Silla
, capturing and executing King Gyeongae, and installed King Gyeongsun as his puppet monarch before he turned his army toward
Goryeo
. Hearing of the news,
Taejo
planned a strike with 5,000 cavalrymen to attack Ky?n's troops on the way back home at this mountain.
[7]
According to the legend, King Taejo and
Sin Sung-gy?m
exchanged their armor so that the king would be able to escape the battlefield. While Taejo escaped the battlefield, Sin and the remaining army fought bravely against the Later Baekje army. But eventually his army was routed and in the woods Sin was shot with arrows and was killed by the enemy.
[8]
Also Kim Nak who is another general died,
[9]
and the name of this battle is called the Battle of Gongsan.
[1]
Taejo escapes from this mountain and flees alone to Apsan Mountain (
ko
), and he spends a few days hiding in a large cave at the peak of Apsan.
[10]
While Taejo retreated from the battle and went to Apsan Mountain, he left many place names related to him in
Daegu
.
[11]
Portions of the mountain were designated a
provincial park
in May 1980.
[12]
Portions of the mountain were designated a
national park
in 23 May 2023.
[13]
Trail
[
edit
]
- Palgongsan Olleh-gil:
This trail follows the apple orchards filled with Pyeonggwang Apples at the foot of Mount Palgong. The trail takes about three hours to hike in total. This route starts from the Hyoja tree Gangsunhang at the entrance of Pyeonggwang-dong, and hike through the small reservoir of Pyeonggwangji finally arriving at the Moyeongjae, which is a house where the stone monument of General
Sin Sung-gy?m
stands. The time to visit this trail is in the spring (April?May) when visitors can see the apple blossoms, and in the fall when the apples are ready to be picked. As follow the apple orchards along the valleys, visitors will find Cheombaekdang, which is a house built for the spirit of hyoja (devoted son) Woo Hyo-jung and seonbi (scholar) Woo My?ng-sik.
[14]
Course: Pyeonggwang-dong entrance - Pyeonggwang Elementary School - Pyeonggwangji - Moyeongjae - Jaebau farm - Cheombaekdang - Pyeonggwang station (Round-trip 4.6 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes. Level: Easy)
[14]
Cultural references
[
edit
]
See also
[
edit
]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Palgongsan
.
References
[
edit
]
36°01′01″N
128°41′42″E
/
36.01694°N 128.69500°E
/
36.01694; 128.69500