Mountain forming the roots of Busan ground formed by uplifting of granite created by magma that cooled and hardened underground about 70 million years ago.
The elegant granite topography of rugged precipices cut and trimmed by storms throughout the ages, with torr, panhole, inselberg and block stream can be appreciated here.
With an opportunity to appreciate a wide range of alpine plants with Busan’s historical remains, including Beomeosa Temple and Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, refreshing fortress makgeolli (rice wine) you can drink at the summit during a tour is beyond comparison.
Geumjeongsan Mountain, Busan’s signature mountain with various cultural heritage and attractions including Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, Beomeosa Temple, Geumgang Park and Fortress Village, attracts numerous visitors through all seasons. It was given the name Geumjeongsan because it is said that a “golden fish came down on five-colored clouds from Beomcheon (Buddhist stream) and played in the well with golden-colored water on the ridge of the mountain,” and the temple below it was named Beomeosa Temple. This story is based on 「the Geography of Gyeongsang-do」, 「the Geography Section of the Annals of King Sejong」, 「the Revised and Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea」 and 「the Record of Beomeosa Temple’s History」. It is assumed based on prehistoric heritage, including shell mounds in Geumgok-dong and Hwamyeong-dong, ancient tombs in Bokcheon-dong and patternless earthenware in Oncheon-dong, that communities were formed at the foot of Geumjeongsan Mountain from prehistoric times, with vestiges of old communities around the south gate and Fortress Village remaining to this day. Geumjeongsan Mountain is home to Korea’s largest Geumjeongsanseong Fortress that served to prevent invasion by Japanese pirates.
※ The common course is “east gate~north gate~Beomeosa Temple course” with buses running halfway up to the east gate.
Snowbell, a small deciduous tree belonging to the Styracaceae genus, grows in low-lying areas of mountains and fields. Its fruit is a light gray drupe. Because the fruit’s skin contains the toxin “egosaponin,” when it lands in streams, fish float to the surface of the water anesthetized, and in the worst case, they die.
Regel's threewingnut is a deciduous climbing vine belonging to the Celastraceae genus. It was named such because its stem looks like that of seaweed. When dried by the sun, it is used as medicine. Being slightly toxic, it shouldn’t be consumed over a long period.
Loose-flower hornbeam, a deciduous tree belonging to the Betulaceae genus, is easily found in mountainous areas. With white bark and a bumpy muscle-like surface, it is assumed that it was named the Seoeo tree after being called Seomok meaning “tree in the west.”
Ash tree, a deciduous tree belonging to the Cistaceae genus, is easily found in mountainous areas in the south. Its abundant white flowers hang at the ends of the branches in the spring looking as if it has snowed. Its stem skin is used as medicine.
As Korea’s largest fortress, many remains including fortress walls and gates remain. The 17,337m long and 1.5~3m high fortress has total area of 8.2㎢ inside. The current fortress was built in 1703 (29th year of King Sukjong’s reign). The fortress was defended by town troops and temple monks of Dongnae, Yangsan and Gijang eup (town). In normal times, the fortress was guarded by 100 monks from Gukcheongsa Temple and Mireukam Hermitage, and 300 monks from Beomeosa Temple. The fortress, with its military and government buildings, was destroyed during the Japanese colonial period, but its restoration has been progressing since 1972.
Geumsaem Spring refers to stagnant water on the top of the soaring rock in the south among piles of rocks protruding at four-fifths up the ridge southeast of Godangbong Peak. It was named such as it is said that a golden fish came down on five-colored clouds and played in the well. It remains a wondrous spring on the rock that does not dry.
The south gate in Pyeonggeo type is 390m wide with pise masonry in 480cm width. With the front of the upper part of the gate at about 15㎡and the side at 10㎡, it is a single-tier gate tower with an ikkong-style gambrel roof.
The east gate, located at a pass of the main ridge 415 meters above sea level, provides outstanding views. The arch-style east gate with the front of the upper part at about 15㎡and the side at 10㎡ is a single-tier gate tower with an ikkong-style gambrel roof.
Park located at the southern tip of the Geumjeongsan Mountain ridge. Constructed in 1940, it was called Geumgangwon (garden) and then designated as a park in 1965. With old pine trees (black pine) mingling with natural rocks, Eurya japonica, azalea and snowbell grow wild here. The park is home to Busan Folklore Arts Center, Busan Marine Natural History Museum, Geumgang Botanical Garden and Imjin Dongnae Cemetery of Righteous Fighters with a cable car running close to the south gate of Geumjeongsanseong Fortress.
As a Buddhist Temple established by Great Master Uisang during the Silla Dynasty period, it is referred to as one of three largest temples in Yeongnam alongside Haeinsa and Tongdosa Temples. The temple is home to numerous cultural properties, including Daeungjeon Hall designated Treasure No. 434, Three-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 250), Flagpole Support, Iljumun (one pillar) Gate, Stone Lantern and East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas. In the precincts, there is a wisteria habitat designated as Natural Monument with dazzling blossoms in April and May.
