Geumsan

Mt. Geumsan is the only mountain park in Hallyeo Maritime National Park. Though it is not a high mountain, it commends a majestic view looking down the scene of rock formations and the south sea. As it is warm in winter, it is recommended as a winter climbing course. The rock formation of Geumsan, one of the 38 scenic views with a lot of legends, looks alike Mt. Geumgangsan, so it is also called So-geumgang or Namhae Geumgang. The old name of Geumsan was Bogwangsan. An interesting story passes down about the origin of its new name Geumsan. The founder of the Joseon Dynasty, Lee Seong-gye could found Joseon after praying for 100 days here. He promised to cover this mountain with silk to return his gratitude. One of his subjects advised "Covering the mountain is not good for the nation's economy and silk will be rotten soon. So it will be good to name the mountain Silk Mountain." Lee Seong-gye accepted his advice.

Geumsan has many peaks; the main peak Mangdae(701m) in the center, Munjangbong, Daejangbong, Hyeongsabong on the left, and Sambulam, Cheonguam on the right. The 38 scenic views include Ssanghong-mun, Saseon-dae, Sangsa-am, and Ambul-am. Ssanghong-mun is a twin cave(7~8m high) which looks like woman's eyes or the empty eyes of a skeleton.

Boriam Temple on this mountain is one of the three Buddhist seminaries in Korea, together with Hongryeonam, Naksansa and Bomunsa, Ganghwado. The Statue of Haesu Gwaneum(the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) stands with a gentle smile in Boriam.

After a short walk from Boriam, one gets to Sangsa-am on the left. Sangsa-am is a large flat rock with several big holes. Sangsa-am has passes down an erotic legend about the love beyond social classes as follows; a servant in the Joseon Dyansty loved his landlady and was dying of lovesickness. The landlady knew this and out of pity she made love with him on this rock. From the summit one can see the seascape of the sea and islands and the fantastic sunrising view.