Korea National Parks


Origin of Gayasan

According to “Taekriji”(Geographical book) written by Lee junghwan, a geographer who lived during the Joseon dynasty. Gayasan, along with Odaesan(1,536m) and Sobaeksan(1,439m) was not damaged by Japanese invasions. It proves that it was safe from the three elements of natural disasters; fire, water, and wind. There are two stones about the name of Gayasan. The first one is that since it was the highest and most magnificent mountain of the old Daegaya kingdom, it was called “the mountain of Gaya” or “Gayasan.” The second is that I was named after ; Mountain Gaya” in Buddha Gaya, India where Buddha gave laymen sermons. “Gaya” means “cow” in Sanskrit and it may not be a coincidence that the highest peak of Gayasan is called Woodoobong (a cow’s head).