Walking Geumseongsan and the Mysterious Bingye Valley

Geumseongsan in Uiseong, Korea's first extinct volcano, is a mountain that holds as many legends and stories as it does its own distinctive shape. Let's set off into the tale of Geumseongsan, once home to an imugi (a serpent that failed to become a dragon). Don't forget to cool off from the heat at Bingye Valley, one of Gyeongbuk's scenic wonders.

Along the way

1. 1

   Uiseong Tapri-ri Five-Story Stone Pagoda

   의성 탑리리 오층석탑

   A stone pagoda from the Unified Silla period, standing 9.56m tall with a base 4.51m wide, designated National Treasure No. 77. It partly imitates the techniques of a brick pagoda while also showing features of wooden building style. \nBuilt on a single low granite base, this pagoda has a five-story body; notably, the first-story body follows wooden-building technique, using square pillars with entasis (a slight swelling) and setting a niche into the south face, with the tops of the pillars carved to resemble the shape of bracket blocks (judu). \nMoreLess

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2. 2

   Sanun Village

   산운마을

   Sanun Village is a traditional village located in Sanun-ri, Geumseong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It became a clan village of the Yeongcheon Yi family after Hakdong Yi Gwang-jun, who served as governor of Gangwon-do during the reign of King Myeongjong of Joseon, settled here. The name 'Sanun' has been passed down since the Silla period; it is said the village was named 'Sanun (Mountain Cloud) Village' because clouds could be seen drifting beneath Sujeong Valley on Geumseongsan, behind the village. \nMoreLess

   

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3. 3

   Lunch (Gyeongdong Charcoal-Grilled Galbi)

   점심식사(경동숯불갈비)

   Gyeongdong Charcoal-Grilled Galbi is located in a residential area just off the main street in downtown Uiseong. The restaurant buys whole racks of top-grade 1++ Korean beef galbi, prepares and ages the meat by hand for 24 hours, and then seasons it fresh with Uiseong's signature garlic along with seven other ingredients before serving.\nMoreLess

   

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4. 4

   Geumseongsan Hike

   금성산 산행

   A hiking trail runs along the backdrop of Geumseongsanseong Fortress, 2,730m long and 4m high, built during the era of Jomun-guk, a tribal state of the Samhan period. Following the fortress wall, hikers can enjoy scenic sights such as Heundeulbawi (Rocking Rock), Jomun Viewing Rock, Adeuldttal-bawi (Son-and-Daughter Rock), a cave, and Sotdae-bawi (Totem Pole Rock). Geumseongsan carries a legend that if a grave is placed at its summit, the region will suffer a three-month drought with no rain, while the person who placed the grave will enjoy great fortune and become enormously wealthy. It is a fine place for hiking, letting visitors also take in the historic Sujeongsa Temple, founded by the monk Uisang during the Silla period, along with Sanun Daegam Village. \n\nMoreLess

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5. 5

   Bingye Valley

   빙계계곡

   Bingye Valley, one of Gyeongbuk's Eight Scenic Wonders, was designated a county park on September 25, 1987. Because it has ice holes and wind holes, the mountain is called Bingsan ('Ice Mountain'), the stream that winds around it is called Bingye ('Ice Stream'), and the surrounding village is called Bingye-ri. Bingye Valley is located in the village of Seowon, Bingye 3-ri. It is a mysterious valley where cool wind blows and ice forms during the hottest days of summer (sambok), while in the depths of winter, warm steam rises billowing from the ground. \nMoreLess

   

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