Introduction

• Palgongsan Mountain, encompassing the northern part of Daegu basin like a folding screen, comprises a multitude of fantastic rocks and stones and thick forests as well as several branches of emerald blue streams flowing down the valleys. Biro-bong, the highest peak of the mountain with altitude of 1,192m MSL, is located at the center of the mountain, vigorously stretching toward both east and west with Dong-bong(east peak) and Seo-bong(west peak).
  
  There are a number of large Buddhist -Temples like Donghwasa Temple, with Tongildaebul(a large Buddha statue praying for national unification) and an enshrinement of sariras of Budda, Buinsa Temple where Goryeo Dynasty Chojodaejangyeong(the first wooden collection of the sacred writings of Buddhism) was kept, along with other large Buddhist-Temples; like Pagyesa Temple, Songrimsa Temple, Eunhaesa Temple, etc., together with over 50 small branch temples. In addition, this is the largest Buddhist Holy Land of Korea with Buddhist cultural properties like numerous Buddhist statues, Buddhas and Pagodas; such as 6(six) Bhaisajuagurus at Gwan-bong, including “the Seated Statue of Stone Bhaisajuaguru”(Gatbawi, meaning a hatted stone) and other stone works scattered all over the peaks and valleys of the mountain. Being a head-temple of Bhaisajuguru faith, General Kim Youshin and the flowers of youth (“Hwarang”) of Silla Kingdom used to disciplined themselves here, and Ilyon, the writer of “Samgukyousa” (history of three dynasties) was born and lived here as well.
  
  Designated as a Provincial Park in 1980, three zones of Donghwa, Pagye, Gatbawi were started to develop in full as National Tourist Resorts, together with upgrading Daegu City to Metropolitan City in 1981.
  This is a mountain noted and holy in the limelight, frequented by numerous visiting tourists and citizens, with installment of each kind of different entertainment facilities such as; condominium, lift cars, golf courses, tourist hotels and campgrounds for students.
  
  Palgongsan Mountain used to belong to Gyeongsangbuk-do, but was raised to Daegu Metropolitan City 1st of July 1981 and started development; wide belt way was built and Composite Facility Zones were created, together with various tourist facilities to accommodate citizens, and now, is on the way of face-lifting to become a new resting place for citizens and a tourist resort.
  
  The road from Donghwasa Temple to Gunwi Samjon-seokgul (Three Respectful Budhas statue in the stone cave) is reputed as a fantastic driving course. You can enjoy comfortable driving on the road from Donghwasa Temple to Guryongsa Temple by way of Sootae-gol and Pagyesa Temple and the road is also open to Gunwi Samjon-seokgul, Gasan-sanseong(mountain fortress wall) and Songrimsa Temple. Especially, they sell fruits like peaches, grapes, apples and roasted sweet potatoes and steamed corns as well according to their seasons, which are attracting appetite of passers-by.
   
• Palgongsan Natural Park Management Office (Direct) : ☎ 82-53-982-0005
• Tourist Attractions : Gatbawi(a Hatted Stone), Donghwasa Temple, Pagyesa Temple, Buinsa Temple, Bukjijangsa Temple, Gwaneumsa Temple, Sootaegol-valley, Yeombulam-valley, Yangjinam-valley, Pokpo(Waterfall)-valley, Historic Site of General Shin Soonggyeom