[Joyongjun's Travel Stories] A Gorilla at the Prayer-Powerful 'Namhae Geumsan'... A Stunning 38 Scenic Spots

The Name Given by Taejo Yi Seong-gye, Geumsan: The Best Tea Ceremony Viewpoint

The Best Dadohae Observatory, Namhae Geumsan

One of Korea's Three Great Prayer Sites, Boriam

Geumsan Mountain Lodge, a bowl of ramen while enjoying the Dadohae

Countless legends embedded in the 38 scenic spots of Geumsan

Charming coastal paths and dazzling silver sandy beaches

The view of Boriam and the Dadohae scenery from Hwaeombong, and the side profile of Hwaeombong closely resembles a gorilla, attracting attention. In this way, Geumsan is home to 38 scenic spots filled with legends scattered throughout.

Namsae Geumsan Geumsan Mountain Lodge has become a popular SNS spot.
It is trendy among young people to enjoy a bowl of ramen here while overlooking the Dadohae Sea.

Hallyeohaesang National Park Dadohae Scenery

Boriam Avalokitesvara Statue

Behind the front Sangsa Rock, Boryam sits on the layers of continuous rocky cliffs.

The sea encountered on Namhae Coastal Road

Darangi rice paddy

Coastal Road

Mulmi Coastal Road Boasting the Best Scenery

[Asia Economy, Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yongjun] As November arrives, I find myself longing for Namhae Geumsan (Geumsan Mountain, 681m). I also want to visit the more famous hermitage, Boriam. Along with Ganghwa Bomunsa and Yangyang Naksansa, it is counted among the three great Avalokitesvara prayer sites. Although I am not a parent of a student preparing for the College Scholastic Ability Test, perhaps because of the legend that a sincerely offered prayer will grant at least one wish, my steps head toward Namhae. So I prayed earnestly: 'Please end COVID-19 quickly so we can live without masks.' I did not first pray for my family's happiness because I believe happiness will naturally follow once COVID-19 ends. Geumsan is the only mountain park within Hallyeohaesang National Park. Geumsan, reminiscent of a miniature Geumgangsan, is famous for its spectacular rock formations. The scattered strange rocks and the views of villages, sea, and islands from there are vast, blue, and beautiful beyond compare. The name Geumsan, related to Taejo Yi Seong-gye who founded the Joseon Dynasty, is also remarkable. There are countless stories everywhere, including 'Seobul and Chaaam,' which tells of Seobul coming here to find the elixir of immortality for China's Qin Shi Huang. Recently, the ramen eaten while overlooking the Dadohae scenery from Geumsan Mountain Lodge next to Boriam has become famous on social media, making it a popular photo spot. Is that all? There is also a fantastic coastal road where emerald seas and jewel-like islands along winding shores blend harmoniously. There are many attractions such as the German-American Village, terraced rice paddies, and the Mulgon-ri windbreak forest. For these reasons, Namhae is also called the Treasure Island.

As we gradually emerge from COVID-19, the first phase of 'step-by-step daily recovery (With COVID)' has been implemented. Social distancing has been eased, and the travel industry welcomes this as emerging from a long tunnel. It seems good to travel while observing basic quarantine rules and returning to daily life.

This journey is to Namhae Geumsan, the only mountain park within Hallyeohaesang National Park. Geumsan is a very famous tourist spot. However, during the College Scholastic Ability Test period, it would be worthwhile to make the trip to pray at Boriam on Geumsan and enjoy the beautiful Namhae sea.

Namhae Geumsan allows you to enjoy the Dadohae scenery and strange rock formations without the effort of climbing. Parking at Bokgok 2 Parking Lot and walking about 20 minutes leads to the path connecting Boriam and the summit.

Geumsan is a mountain wrapped in silk. The name was given by Yi Seong-gye, who achieved the great task of founding Joseon after praying here for 100 days. Although he probably wished to literally wrap it in silk, he settled for changing the name.

Before that, Geumsan was called Hanbaksan or Bogwangsan. The name originates from the story that in 683, Monk Wonhyo built a hut here and read the Avatamsaka Sutra, causing a ray of light to shine. This is also the beginning of Boriam, which is nestled in layers between steep rocks below the summit. Because of this story, Boriam became famous as a temple with powerful prayer efficacy. It is called one of Korea's three great Avalokitesvara sacred sites. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is the bodhisattva who listens to the prayers of sentient beings in Buddhism. The site where the Boriam Haesugwaneum statue stands is considered the best geomantic spot. In front of the Avalokitesvara statue stands a three-story stone pagoda, said to be the place with the strongest energy.

Geumsan is said to have as many as 38 scenic spots. Just as the eight famous scenic spots in the Gwandong region are called 'Gwandong Palgyeong,' there are 38 famous scenic spots on the slopes of Geumsan. Each scenic spot has legends and history. There is Munjangam with inscriptions by Joo Sebung, Hwaeombong where Wonhyo read the Avatamsaka Sutra, and Busoam, where Qin Shi Huang's son was exiled. There are also places where Wonhyo and Uisang, the two great monks of Silla Buddhism, practiced meditation.

Among the strange rock formations of Namhae Geumsan, the most outstanding is Sangsaram. It rises sharply on the right slope of Geumsan. From Sangsaram, Namhae Geumsan is best revealed. The mountain range spreads its wings on both sides, embracing Boriam in the center, creating a magnificent view.

Besides Boriam, the hottest spot on Geumsan is Geumsan Mountain Lodge. Sitting at tables placed on the cliff and eating cup ramen has become popular on social media, increasing young travelers significantly. Geumsan Mountain Lodge has guarded beside Sangsaram since before Namhae Geumsan became a national park. Nowadays, building lodging facilities inside a national park is unimaginable, but this building was constructed in the 1950s. The lodge overlooks a cozy village nestled between narrow rice paddies and the islands of the Dadohae, offering a sea view that rivals any other.

From Geumsan Mountain Lodge, following the mountain path to the summit leads to a stone-walled lookout platform. It has been used as the southernmost beacon station since the Goryeo Dynasty. Now it serves as the best observatory overlooking Geumsan and the Dadohae of Hallyeohaesang National Park. You can see Sangju Beach and, far away, islands such as Saryangdo, Yokjido, and Yeonhwado in Tongyeong all at a glance.

The coastline surrounding Geumsan is as dazzling as the view from the summit. The section from Sangju through Mijo Port to Mulgon Village is one of the most scenic drives in Namhae, called the 'Mulmi Coastal Road.'

The first place you encounter descending from Geumsan is Sangju Beach, known in Namhae as 'Sangju Silver Sand Beach.' The fine sand on the beach is said to be as beautiful as if sprinkled with silver powder. The nearby tree island (Mokdo) and stone island act as natural breakwaters, keeping the water calm. When sunlight shines, the gently rippling waves sparkle like silver.

Passing through Gacheon terraced rice paddies and Nohdo, where Kim Man-jung was exiled, you reach Mulgon-ri. Along the coast of Mulgon-ri stretches a 1.5 km natural monument forest windbreak created to protect against tsunamis and salt winds. Looking back from the windbreak forest toward the mountains, the colorful German Village catches the eye.

Namhae = Text and photos by Travel Specialist Reporter Jo Yongjun jun21@

◇Travel Notes

△Getting There=From the Seoul metropolitan area, take the Gyeongbu Expressway and Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway, then transfer to the Namhae Expressway at Jinju Interchange. Exit at Sacheon Interchange and cross the Changseon Samcheonpo Bridge. Geumsan operates two parking lots: Bokgok 1 Parking Lot at mid-mountain and 2 Parking Lot near the summit. On weekends and peak seasons, expect parking difficulties. The 2 Parking Lot may be closed if full; in that case, using a bus from the 1 Parking Lot is convenient.

△Food=Anchovy ssambap (rice wrapped in vegetables) is famous. Anchovy stew made with freshly caught anchovies from jukbangnyeom (bamboo fish traps in tidal flats) is deliciously sweet and sour. Eating a spoonful of rice with anchovy stew, lettuce, perilla leaves, and sweet Namhae garlic melts in your mouth.