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Cheonsan Mountain
Cheonsan Mountain stretches across the neighborhoods of Sindong, Hwangsan-dong, Geumjeon-dong, and Jangcheon-myeon in Gumi City. With an elevation of 407 meters, when viewed from the east, the mountain resembles the Chinese character for ‘sky,’ giving it the nickname ‘mountain gifted by the heavens.’ The unique straight-line shape of the mountain’s summit also sets it apart, adding to its charm. Connected with Geumo Fortress and facing the Nakdong River from east to west, Cheonsan Mountain serves as a strategic defense point. Visitors can explore Cheonsan Fortress and the Children’s Forest Experience Center for a delightful forest adventure suitable for families with kids.
• Address (location): 200 Cheonsan-gil, Gupyeong-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Geomseongji Eco Park
Located in Hwangsan-dong, Gumi, Geomseongji Ecological Park is a nature park created next to a reservoir surrounded by Cheonsan Mountain, which was under construction for about 7 years from 2010 to 2016. The park features a 0.6km waterfront deck promenade, outdoor performances, octagonal pavilions, fitness facilities, restrooms, and a public parking lot, providing a space for citizens to relax and exercise. The outdoor performance area also serves as a resting place for local residents, where occasional busking events take place. Visitors can observe various aquatic plants and lotus flowers around the ecological park, but swimming, fishing, and water play are prohibited. In spring, the residents host the Hwangsan Market, which combines a fabric and craft market with local farm produce and flea market sales.
• Address (location): Hwangsan-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do” can be translated into English as “Hwangsan-dong, Gumi City, Gyeongsangbuk Province.
Deulseong Ecological Park
Dulseong Ecological Park is located in Goa-eup, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The park covers an area of 254,000㎡ and features waterfront decks, a plaza, walking trails, an artificial island, and pavilions. The deck sections are designated for walking, so bikes and motorized vehicles are not allowed. Along the walking trails, you will find benches where you can rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom, while in summer, lotus flowers create a stunning view. The park is conveniently located near Gumi IC and Gumi Station, with easy access. Nearby attractions include Jisan Saetgang Ecological Park, Geumoh Land, and Gumi Baeksuk Alley.
• Address (location): 174-8 Deulseong-ro, Goa-eup, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Sangdongcham Ecological Forest
The San-dong Cham Nature Forest, beloved by the citizens of Gumi as a peaceful oasis, offers a variety of experiences in the forest. They showcase unique woodworking crafts based on different themes, providing a diverse range of attractions. Moreover, they operate forest ecology programs tailored for preschool and elementary school students, including woodworking, insect observation, and wildflower watching throughout the year. Additionally, the forest features a slow mailbox, a health check station made from recycled wood, a forest band, and a sandbox for children to enjoy.
• Address (location): 240, Indeok 1-gil, Sandong-eup, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jisan Saetgang Ecological Park
Located in Jisan-dong, Gumi City, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Jisan Saetgang Eco Park is a hidden gem of healing within the city. Designed to transform Jisan’s famous Saetgang into a pleasant and wholesome resting area, this park is Gumi’s only wetland. In spring, visitors can enjoy a beautiful cherry blossom walking path, while in summer, they can explore a lotus habitat. In winter, it becomes a sanctuary for migratory birds, offering year-round attractions close to the city center. The park features various amenities such as outdoor plazas, exercise facilities, benches, and pavilions for relaxation. Particularly noteworthy are the barefoot trails, mud ball court, and mud pool, providing spaces for citizens to experience different barefoot activities for a healthy break and leisure.
- Address (location): 845-85 Jisan-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Cheonsansung Forest Bath
Sillim Recreation Forest, located on the natural mountain with a unique flat peak at an altitude of 407 meters, is a charming spot for visitors. The natural fortress with cliffs on all sides served as a crucial defense point against external invasions, along with Geumosan Fortress. During the Imjin War, General Kwak Jae-woo bravely fought numerous battles against the Japanese invaders here, leaving behind many historical remnants. In the middle of the mountain, there is a forest recreation area, while at the entrance, you can feel the cool breeze even in the midst of summer at Ice Valley. It’s the perfect place for families to enjoy a healing experience exploring the forest and historical sites together.
• Address (location): 229, Yeheon-ro 10-gil, Inui-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Daehye Waterfall
Located at an altitude of around 400 meters in Daehyegol of Geumosan, Geumgang Waterfall stands at 28 meters high. The sound of the waterfall echoing through Geumosan earned it the nickname ‘Minggeum Waterfall.’ The wide pool formed under the waterfall is called the ‘Yokdam’ or ‘Fairy Bathing Pool,’ as it is believed to be a spot where heavenly fairies come down to bathe. It is said that during the Joseon Dynasty, scholars like Yuhon Janghyeon-gwang would visit the waterfall year-round for a refreshing bath and poetic gatherings. Carved on the cliff next to the waterfall is the phrase ‘Yokdam,’ believed to be inscribed by Kim Gong, one of Janghyeon-gwang’s disciples, who lived and studied near the waterfall. Following the precarious cliff path to the right of Daehye Waterfall, you will find the natural cave known as Doseon-gul, where the late Silla monk Doseon is said to have practiced.
• Address (location): Namtong-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Geumosan Reservoir
The Geumo Mountain Reservoir is a Type 1 reservoir located within the Geumo Mountain Provincial Park. It is formed on a high flat surface near the peak of Geumo Mountain, where rainwater flows down along the northern valley, gathering and forming a pool as it passes the Myeonggeum Waterfall. The surrounding trail is approximately 4km long, and the Geumo Stream, which starts here, flows into the Nakdong River. Known as a favorite spot for the residents of Gumi City, fishing is prohibited in this area.
• Address (location): 414-180 Namtong-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Nakdong River Flows
Nakdong River is the third longest river on the Korean Peninsula, stretching 521.5km with a basin area of 23,817 square kilometers. It originates from Taebaek City and flows through the entire Yeongnam region, serving as a major waterway originating from the Taebaek Mountains and flowing towards the South Sea. The name ‘Nakdong’ means ‘a river flowing to the east of Gaya (or Garak)’ in Korean. In the Samguk Yusa, compiled during the Goryeo Dynasty, the river was referred to as ‘Hwangsanjin’ or ‘Gayajin’. However, in the early Joseon period geographical works like the Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam, it was written as ‘Naksu’ or ‘Nakdong River’. Even Kim Jeong-ho’s Daedong Yeoji Do map from later times marked it as ‘Nakdong River’. Therefore, the name ‘Nakdong River’ has been used since the early Joseon period.
Nakdong River provides irrigation water for about 860,000 hectares of agricultural land in its basin, as well as serving as a source of drinking water for various cities and towns and industrial water sources. The construction of the Namgang Dam in 1969 and the Andong Dam in 1976 has not only contributed to the efficient utilization of water resources but also generated significant amounts of electricity, greatly supporting the agricultural and industrial development of the region. In the past, the river served as a vital transportation artery for inland regions, bustling with ports such as Hadan Gupo, Sallangjin, Susang, Pungsan, and Andong. During the Korean War, it played a crucial role as the final defense line for the UN forces.
• Address (location): Namgumi-ro (Gongdandong), Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Nakseongni Zelkova Tree
Gumi City’s Haepyeong-myeon is one of the few inland areas that use the character ‘해(海)’ in their name, boasting vast fields and peaceful seascapes. Naksung 1-ri village is a charming settlement nestled beneath Maebongsan Mountain, located at the heart of Haepyeong-myeon with its five natural ridges. The market adjacent to the national highway is mainly run by merchants, while the rest of the area is a typical rural village.
The name ‘Apgoeul’ in Naksung-ri originates from the village in front of Haepyeong-hyeon’s Dongheon, which was called ‘Apgoeul,’ and the site of the Hwanggyo shrine in Seowon village during Haepyeong-hyeon is still present in Naksung-ri. Agok was a place where the office of Panghyeon during the ancient Silla Dynasty was located, with a shrine and a historical site called ‘Mok’ next to it being named ‘Agokji.’ Changma village was where the weapons arsenal for Haepyeong-hyeon was situated, while Jungri village was named for its central location in the village. Geumsseol village is the birthplace of the wife of King Taejo of Goryeo, Queen Heangwon. In Changma, a 5.5m perimeter tree, a 210-year-old oak tree, stands prominently in front of the village, and annual rituals were held at Dangsan and Jusan mountains during the lunar new year, offering five-grain rice and dried fish. A shelter has now been built under the tree for village discussions and rituals.
Folklore During the 1960s to 1970s when firewood was scarce, villagers used fallen branches from this tree as fuel, but many developed rashes and skin irritations. Since then, it is said that fallen branches were never taken lightly. Additionally, there is a tale of a villager attempting to cut down a tree with a saw, only for a branch that was leaning downward to suddenly shoot upward, followed by thunder and lightning, causing the person to flee in fear. The branch that shot up remains unbroken and points towards the sky, with villagers conducting annual rituals with reverence every lunar new year.
• Address (location): 230-1 Naksung-ri, Haepyeong-myeon, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Geumo Mountain Fortress
Located within Gumi City in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Geumosan Mountain Fortress is a rugged fortress built at an elevation of 976m within Geumosan Provincial Park. The fortress surrounds the rugged peak and valley of Geumosan with double walls made of stone. The exact date of the initial construction of Geumosan Fortress is unknown, but it is believed that it was built in response to frequent invasions by coastal pirates during the late Goryeo period. Nearby residents sought refuge on Geumosan Mountain to defend against the invaders, constructing the fortress and assigning soldiers to protect the area. It is said that military supplies and weapons were stored in the fortress, and even a military depot was established.
The inner fortress, shaped like a crown at the summit, has a circumference of about 10 li (a traditional Korean unit of distance), with no separate walls built along the steep cliffs. The outer fortress, with a circumference of about 5 li, has a total length of 6.3km when combined with the inner fortress walls. Geumosan Fortress underwent significant renovations as part of a national plan in the 10th year of King Taejong’s reign in 1410, and once again in the 28th year of King Seonjo’s reign in 1596, recognizing its strategic importance during the Imjin War. Expansion work to build the outer fortress was carried out in the 17th year of King Injo’s reign in 1639, resulting in the dual fortresses we see today. Further renovations were made in the 5th year of King Gojong’s reign in 1868.
Historical records indicate that the fortress contained a valley, several ponds, wells, as well as storage facilities such as Gohye Chang and Naesung Chang, an armory, and Jin-nam Temple. Today, the remains of the fortress gates, including the inconspicuous Ammun Gate, and the foundations of various buildings can still be seen. Inside the fortress, one can find the lonely figure of Sosong Gongbi, believed to have been erected around the 5th year of King Gojong’s reign in 1868, diligently guarding the fortress.
• Address (location): Namtong-dong, Gumi City, Gyeongsangbuk-do.