Dalseong Oriental arborvitae (Thuja Orientalis) Forest

When you go upward along the Bulro-cheon(stream) for some 1km following the guidepost at the right side by the place where Bulro-dong Flori cultivation Complex is over after crossing the Ayang-bridge, Dalseong(Do-dong) Oriental arborvitae Forest, which was designated as a Natural Treasure No. 1 in December 1962, will show up, clinging in groups at the steep crevices in the rock of the cliff which is beyond mystery and even somewhat grotesque.

Oriental arborvitae is an ever-green needle leaf tree belonging to Cupressaceae and grows up to 20m in height, but they do not grow tall like that here since they grow in the crevices of rock or dry soil.

Previously, it was known that this tree is found only in China, but we can see this tree also at Danyang, Yeongyang and Ulsan, etc. which are located at the southern limit of distribution of this tree. This tree has an important value on habitational geography in is distribution.
Oriental arborvitae Forest here looks more like shrub with multitude of branches spreading from the bottom of trees. Color of the bark of this tree is dark brown, and the barks fall down like thin scales.

At the east end of the community of this tree stands Gwaneumsa-temple, a branch temple of Donghwasa-temple, protruding aloft on the cliff.
Gwaneumsa-temple, named because a statue of “Buddhist Goddess of Mercy” is enshrined here, was built in 670 AD by Euisang-daesa(the great Buddhist priest) and is now registered as a Traditional Temple by law. A small village will appear after crossing the Dodong-bridge in about 50m when you follow Bulro-cheon streamside. If you go uphill for some 30 minutes following a trail next to the village, you will arrive at the flat summit that looks like a scooped wooden dish turned upside down and inclined long both to the east and west.

Yongam-sanseong(mountain fortress), where an army in the cause of justice and ordinary people from Daegu province gathered together to fight against the invading Japanese troops during Imjinwaeran(Japanese invasion in 1592) is located here.

The mountain fortress was designated as a Memorial No. 5 in 1988. Even though nearly no traces can be seen these days, there stands a lone guide post with an old oak tree, keeping painful history by itself and announcing that this is a historical memorial constructed in the form of natural earthen fortress utilizing steep slant. It is said that there are many holiday-makers visiting here to collect sweet chestnuts in autumn.

We recommend you to make a leisurely tour to oriental arborvitae forest at Dalseong(Do-dong), nearby Bulo-gobungun(group of ancient tombs) and Yongamsanseong on holidays with your family, and buy a handful of pretty flowers at the Floricultivation Complex on the way back to home to enrich yourselves.

Nae-gok Golden-rain Tree Colony

Golden-rain tree belongs to Golden-rain tree family of Soapberry tree branch by the classification system and is a deciduous tree distributed over China, Japan and Taiwan as well, grows up to 9~10m in height and blooms yellow flowers in June-July and bears capsular fruits ripening in October.

This tree is usually planted near Buddhist temples and its seeds were used to make beads and to substitute soup. Because of its rarity, this tree was recognized its worthiness to preserve and a colony of Golden-rain tree at Anmyeon-do in Chungnam-Province was designated as a Natural Treasure No. 138 In 1962. In 1984, a Golden-rain tree at Andong of Gyeongbuk Province was known to be the largest in diameter at breast height and oldest in Korea and was designated as a Monument No. 50 of Gyeongdsangbuk-do; however, the colony of Golden-rain tree here is revealed to be composed of 4 trees of approximately 350 years of age and some 100 trees with ages between 5 to 10 years, which are growing naturally.

Four golden-rain trees are not only much older than the other previously designated trees but also taller with 31-45 cm in diameter at breast height and 8-10 m in height, which is grand and something our province is proud of.

Bulro-dong Ancient Tombs

Guidepost to Ancient Tombs is at the right side before entering in to Gyeongbu Express way after passing by Bulro-dong Floricultural Complex where dwarfed trees and shrubs including fragrant chrysanthemums of the late autumn and other flowers are lined up.
Go upward some 400m to the residential area byway following the guidepost is located Bulro-dong Ancient Tombs designated firstly as a National Property No. 262 on 23rd June 1978, together with the Ancient Tombs at Yean-ri of Gimhae, Gyeongnam Province over 299,746㎡(90,673 pyeong) of the vast mountainous area.

Follow the walking path some 50m upward after passing by several well managed grave mounds at the entrance to meet somewhat unique large or small ancient tombs that are different from the magnificent and stately royal tombs of Gyeongju.
Ancient tombs are protuberant like peaks of the mountain following the open ridge.

These Ancient Tombs are grave mounds spreading over Bulro-dong, Bongmu-dong and Do-dong along the ridge from Palgongsan Mountain to the place cut by the Expressway, and currently all 211 ancient tombs are standing closely together.
In 1938, when 2 ancient tombs were studied, Bulro-dong Ancient Tombs were called by the name of ‘Haean-myeon Ancient Tombs’. Afterwards, on two occasions, first in December 1963 and second in January next year, 2 more toms were studied by Gyeongbuk University Museum and they were known as ‘Daegu Bulro-dong Ancient Tombs’ including ‘Haeanmyeon Ancient Tombs.

In case of the ‘Haean-myeon No. 1 Tomb, mountain stones were used to build walls and the body seemed to have been placed on the sand above raw ground, and some earthen wares and fragments of ornament (Woonju) were excavated as burial accessories.
In general, according to the scientific excavation research, internal structure was revealed to have 4 walls with layers of river stones or broken stones and rectangular vertically dug stone lined tomb with flat stone lid, and a lot of burial accessories such as; golden or glitz bronze ornaments, iron ax, iron spikes, harnesses and engraved earthen wares were excavated.

These Ancient Tombs are assumed to have been constructed approximately during 4-5 century at the period of Three States, with diameters of 15~20m and heights around 4mm which is believed to be the cemetery of the native governing powers that had controlled this area.
Bulro-dong Ancient Tombs have the best outward form among the other ancient tombs existing over whole Daegu area..

We can have a look at a sign of the times through these tombs, even though limited to their outward appearance. These ancient tombs have meanings and values as an ancient site that shows us traces of Daugu basin and status of the original distribution of box type stone tombs along east side of the Nakdonggang River.