Palgongsan, also Palgong Mountain, and previously called Gongsan, also Gong Mountain during the Later Three Kingdoms period,^[1] is a mountain in southeastern South Korea, lying on an outlier of the Taebaek range.^[2] It stands on the northeastern border between Daegu metropolitan city and North Gyeongsang province (including the districts of Chilgok County, Gunwi County, Yeongcheon, and Gyeongsan).^[2] Its peak is 1193 m above sea level.^[3]

The mountain is the site of a number of cultural and natural heritage sites. These include Buddhist shrines from the Silla period or later, including the large and active temple of Donghwasa and the Gunwi Triad Budda Grotto (National Treasure 109).^[4] In addition, in September 927 the Battle of Gong Mountain or the Battle of Gongsan or Gongsan and Dongsu Battle^[5] (ko) was fought between Hubaekje and Goryeo forces on the mountain's southern slope.^[1]

Natural treasures include the standing stone of Gatbawi, so called from its resemblance to a traditional Korean horsehair hat, or gat.

The mountain, connected to downtown Daegu by bus, is a popular site for weekend outings from the city.^[6]

History

In the 9th year of King Sinmun of Unified Silla (689 AD), when an attempt was made to move the capital from Seorabeol to Dalgubeol, this mountain was worshiped by the people as the central mountain in the region.^[1]

In 927, at the time of the Later Three Kingdoms, Gyeon Hwon of Hubaekje led forces into Silla, capturing and executing King Gyeongae, and established King Gyeongsun as his puppet monarch before he turned his army toward Goryeo. Hearing of the news, Taejo planned a strike with 5,000 cavalrymen to attack Gyeon's troops on the way back home at this mountain.^[7] According to the legend, Taejo and Sin Sung-gyeom exchanged armor so that the king would be able to escape the battlefield. While Wang Geon escaped the battlefield, Shin and the remaining army fought bravely against the Hubaekje army. But eventually his army was routed and in the woods Shin was shot with arrows and was killed by the enemy.^[8] Also Kim Nak who is another general died,^[9] and the name of this battle is called the Battle of Gongsan.^[1] Taejo escapes from this mountain and flees alone to Apsan Mountain (ko), and he spends a few days hiding in a large cave at the peak of Apsan.^[10] While Taejo retreated from the battle and went to Apsan Mountain, he left many place names related to him in Daegu.^[11]

Portions of the mountain were designated a provincial park in May 1980.^[12]

Portions of the mountain were designated a national park in 23 May 2023.^[13]

Trail

• Palgongsan Olleh-gil: This trail follows the apple orchards filled with Pyeonggwang Apples at the foot of Mount Palgong. The trail takes about three hours to hike in total. This route starts from the Hyoja tree Gangsunhang at the entrance of Pyeonggwang-dong, and hike through the small reservoir of Pyeonggwangji finally arriving at the Moyeongjae, which is a house where the stone monument of General Sin Sung-gyeom stands. The time to visit this trail is in the spring (April–May) when visitors can see the apple blossoms, and in the fall when the apples are ready to be picked. As follow the apple orchards along the valleys, visitors will find Cheombaekdang, which is a house built for the spirit of hyoja (devoted son) Woo Hyo-jung and seonbi (scholar) Woo Myeong-sik.^[14]

Course: Pyeonggwang-dong entrance - Pyeonggwang Elementary School - Pyeonggwangji - Moyeongjae - Jaebau farm - Cheombaekdang - Pyeonggwang station (Round-trip 4.6 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes. Level: Easy)^[14]

Cultural references

• Taejo Wang Geon (2000-2002)^[15]
• Thousand Days Unofficial History - Episode 73 (ko) (2018)^[16]
• Taejo Wang Geon (2022)^[17]