Gatbawi

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Gatbawi, Buddhist statue on Palgongsan Mountain, South Korea.

The granite Buddha statue stands 4 meters tall and features a distinctive flat stone hat measuring 15 centimeters in thickness at Gwan Peak.

The statue dates from the 9th century during the Unified Silla period and was created by Buddhist monk Uihyeon at an elevation of 850 meters.

The stone Buddha receives numerous visitors who come to make wishes, as local beliefs suggest the statue grants one sincere prayer to each person.

Reaching the statue requires a two-hour round trip hike through mountain paths, with options for both steep stone steps or gentler dirt trails.

According to regional stories, cranes appeared nightly to protect the monk while he carved the statue to guide his deceased mother's soul to paradise.

GPS coordinates: 35.98154,128.73644

Latest update: March 10, 2025 23:21

Places to visit in South Korea beyond tourist spots

From the Upo Wetland ecosystem to the ancient Haeinsa Temple, South Korea offers numerous cultural and natural sites. The country features limestone caves, coastal paths, traditional gardens, and Buddhist temples. Notable locations include the Daehan Dawon tea fields, the volcanic formations of Jeju Island, and historical structures like the Haemieupseong Fortress. These sites present Korean heritage through architecture, nature, and religious monuments.

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« Gatbawi: Buddhist statue on Palgongsan Mountain, South Korea » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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