DAY
Gyeongju Namsan / 7 hours
Tour Highlights
- Poseokjeong Bower
- Baeri Triad Buddha
- Samneung Tombs
- Naenggol Valley
- Sangseonam Hermitage
- Yongjangsa Temple Site
Gyeongju (- - -)
Namsan Mountain embraces Najeong, the birthplace of Silla founder, and Poseokjeong Bower where Silla met her final day. Near the trail head is Poseokjeong, a summer pavilion where the later kings of Silla often forgot their loyal duties and spent most of their time with royal banquets. The 55th King Gyeongae of Silla killed himself at the party here in 927 when Gyeonhwon, the king of the Later Baekje attacked Gyeongju. All that can be seen now is the abalone-shaped stone channel through which at one time a cool stream of water was directed into the banquet. The elm, in large trunk and gnarled with age, may have witnessed the final day of Silla.
The hiking starts at Baeri Buddha Statues. Namsan, a 468-meter peak in the heart of Gyeongju, is a home to many historic and cultural remains from the Silla kingdom and is often referred to as sacred mountain with Buddhist shrines and statues. There are 4 ancient fortress ruins, 150 temple sites, 118 Buddha images carved into the rocks, 97 pagodas, 22 stone lanterns, 19 pedestals, 13 royal tombs, and 686 cultural assets scattered around in some 40 valleys. It is not known exactly how many more relics are hidden or lost on the mountains. You will marvel at ancient reliefs, carvings of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and Buddhist pagoda. Although much of damage was done by Neo Confucian radicals, who hacked arms and heads off of statuary, Namsan still remains as one of the must-see attractions in Korea.
The first leg of your hiking up to the Sangseonam hermitage can be challenging, but soon compensated by a huge Buddha facing the western slope of the mountain. The figure is carved out of the rock and seemed to be sitting praying at the setting sun. Thereafter easy trail continues until you will come across two magnificent statuary; three-storied pagoda and Buddha statue sitting on the three-tiered stone ring pedestal. You will then venture two short steep rock walls down where you will get a help of ropes provided on their surfaces.
Several other hiking routes are available though, you will explore with a following trail. Baeri Buddha statues → Samneung tombs → Samneunggol Buddha → Rock Relief Bodhisattva → bas-relief six Buddhas → Rock Relief Buddha → Seated Buddha → bas-relief Buddha → Sangseonam bas-relief Bodhisattva → Sangseonam bas-relief Buddha → Geumsongjeong site and Baduk Rock → Sangsa Rock → Guomosan peak → Yongjanggol three-storied Pagoda → rock relief Buddha → Samryun Pedestal Buddha → Yongjangsa temple site → Jeolgol Buddha
