Geumjeongsan
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Geumjeongsan (or Geumjeong Mountain) is a mountain in the city of Busan in South Korea. It covers a large surface that extend in Dongnae-gu in the south, in Buk-gu in the west, in Geumjeong-gu in the east, and in the city of Yangsan in the north. Its highest peak, Godang-bong, the highest peak in the region, stands at 801.5 meters on the city limit between Busan and Yangsan.
Geumjeongsan is the city most popular hiking destination, where thousands of people climbs it during the week-ends. The top can easily be reach using the cable-car in Geumgang Park near Myeongnyundong station or by taking the bus from Oncheonjang station to Saseongmaeul on the mountain top.
Saseongmaeul (사성마을) is a small rural community built in the mountain valley, isolated from the surrounding city. It includes a bit of agricultural fields and livestock pasture on the valley sides. The place is well-known for its speciality meal: "barbecued goat meat".
Geumjeongsan is renowned for the Geumjeong Fortress built on top of the mountain and Beomeo Temple on its north-east side.
Geumjeong Fortress
Following the Japanese invasion of 1592 and the Manchu invasion in 1627 and again in 1637 the construction of the fortress was recommanded by the governor of Gyeongsang-do. The construction of fortress itself was started in 1701 and finished in 1703, 29th year of the reign of King Sukjong. The construction of the walls was completed in 1707 They are about 17 km in length and 1.5 to 3 meters in height. They circle a surface of about 8.2 km². The fortress eventually fell due dissuse due to its high maintenance cost until it was restored in 1807, 7th year of the reign of King Sunjo. The West Gate was built that year and the other gates during the following year.
Today much of the walls, the four gates and four observation towers still stands. The area around the South Gate is a popular resting place. The West Gate, even though being the most impressive of the four, is less frequented one due to its lack of accessibility.
Restoration work
Since much of the fortress had been destroyed during the Japanese occupation (1910-1945) restoration work was started in 1972. In 1974 The East, West and South Gates were restored and the North Gate was rebuilt in 1989.More restoration work, commissioned by the Busan City Council, are currently under way. This restoration is taking place over a period of 15 years and is divided in 3 phases of 5 years between 1996 and 2010.
- Phase 1 (1996-2000) covers the west region, going from the North Gate down to the West Gate.
- Phase 2 (2000-2005) covers the section of wall on the east side, running between the North Gate and the East Gate. It include the obsrevation towers 3 and 4.
- Phase 3 (2006-2010) covers everything south of the West and East Gates, including the South Gate and the observation towers 1 and 2.
Godang-bong
Godang-bong is the highest peak on the mountain. It stands at an altitude of 801.5 meters on the city limit between Busan and Yangsan. Its summit gives a great view of the surroundings, including Gimhae International Airport in Gangseo-gu. On very clear days it is possible to see the cities of Gimhae and Jinhae further to the south-west and the mountain relief of Tsushima Island half-way in the Korea Strait.
Geumsaem
Geumseam (litteraly Golden fountain) is a naturally formed cavity on top of a granite boulder standing off a cliff about 500 meters east of Godang-bong.
According to the legend a golden fish (Geumeo, 그머) came down from the world of Brahma on a 5-coloured cloud and took residence in the golden fountain. The fountain if said to never dry and the colour of its water is always gold. The names of the mountain and Beomeo temple originated from that legend.
Today the legend is still represented in the symbols of Geumjeong-gu. The gu's logo represent the fountain and the gu's charater is a cartoon representation of Geumeo. [link]
References and External Links
- On-site Stelae
- [Geumjeong-gu] website
- http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/pusan/geumjeongsanindex.htm
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