Paryongsan & The Stone Pagodas

paryongsan & The stone pagodas 팔룡산 돌탑 유래

328 meters

4.5 km ApProximately

📍trailhead

Almost two years ago I was invited to a co-workers wedding in Masan. Having previously lived in Masan for three years, I figured it was a good opportunity to do a little hike in my old stomping grounds. So I made the drive to Masan at the crack of dawn with the plan to hike Paryongsan, followed by a quick shower at a love motel to get prettied up before the wedding.

The significance of the stone pagodas near the base of Paryongsan is quite interesting! Back in 1993, a local resident by the name of Yi Sam-yong (이삼용) felt sorry for the families that were separated by the war. He began to build these stone pagodas in recognition of the divided families (including his own) between North and South Korea. It was his ultimate goal to build 1000 pagodas.

During a hike here in 2014. I was very lucky and honored to meet and speak with Yi Sam-yong and watch him working on one of the pagodas. At that point, he had completed 973 pagodas (May 2014).

Yi Sam-yong pictured working on the pagodas in 2014.

With all of that said, visiting the stone pagodas, which are close to the main entrance, is a nice outing in and of itself. However, if you have the time and inclination, I recommend doing some hiking while here too! There are plenty of different trails on this mountain. I hiked to the peak and emerged at the reservoir on the opposite side of the mountain, then followed the roadway back to where I started. If you do a full loop including the roadway, it will take about 6.4km in total.

The red circle shows my starting point, but the highlighted trail was not the same route that I took. As you can see though, you’ve got plenty of trails to choose from!

To head to the pagodas, stay to the right at the main entrance, heading under the archway.

You’ll bypass some gym equipment and take some stairs, but In less than 0.5km, you’ll reach the famed pagodas. They really are an incredible sight and my pictures don’t do them justice.

Continue on the trail past the pagodas until you reach the sign shown below. Head towards 보암수원지 (the large reservoir on the opposite side of the mountain).

Follow the trail up towards the ridge-line until you meet another sign pointing in several different directions. This time, follow the orange arrow, to head to the peak.

I was lucky to have the trail mostly to myself due to my early start.

As you get closer to the peak, there is a fantastic view of a temple in the mountain. Due to the fine dust, on this visit it was a bit obscured though.

A fellow hiker enjoying the early morning sun. Also, it’s a bit hazy and hard to see in this pic, but the temple is nestled in the mountain on the right.

The next trail sign points to either the temple (보안사) to the right, or continue straight to the peak. Unfortunately I didn’t have time for the temple this time so I continued straight.

Continue straight to the peak or turn right towards the temple (불암사) if you have the time.

In just a minute or two later, you’ll reach another fork. I believe both trails take you to the peak, but I chose to go right.

You’ll reach another junction in the trail. To the right is the temple. I believe the left also takes you to the peak, but I’m not certain. I continued straight on up the rocky path.

One more climb up some stairs and you’ll be at the peak !

Continue on the path leading down the mountain on the other side of the peak. You’ll pass a wooden gazebo.

Most hikers are familiar with the common place outdoor “gym” on top of Korean mountains, Well this mountain gym is like nothing I’ve ever seen before in Korea. It’s an actual gym inside a building with weights and everything. It really is quite impressive. Who needs a gym membership in the neighborhood when you can get your cardio heading up the mountain and then throw in some weights at the top!

Continue along the path heading down some stairs and soon enough the reservoir will come into view.

You’ll reach another sign post. Continue straight to the reservoir (보암수원지제방 0.4km)

Before you know it, you’ll be at the reservoir. Cross over to the other side and turn right.

You’ll have to walk through the park to get back to the main road. As you reach the main road, there are several restaurants there. I was famished and stopped for a good hearty breakfast at Kang’s Kitchen (강 식탕).

At this point, you’ll have come about 4.5km from the start. If you need to walk back to where you started, it will be about 6.4km in total. All in all, it was a great way to take advantage of a wedding road trip.