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]
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, Kyŏn HwŏnofLater Baekje led forces into Silla, capturing and executing King Gyeongae, and installed 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 Kyŏn's troops on the way back home at this mountain.[7] According to the legend, King Taejo and Sin Sung-gyŏm exchanged their armor so that the king would be able to escape the battlefield. While Taejo escaped the battlefield, Sin and the remaining army fought bravely against the Later Baekje army. But eventually his army was routed and in the woods Sin 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]
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-gyŏm 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 Myŏng-sik.[14]
^"팔공산 벚꽃철 시내 버스 증차 운행" [Increased operation of city buses during the cherry blossom season at Palgongsan Mountain]. No Cut News. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^Il-yeon: Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea, translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton K. Mintz. Book Two, page 128. Silk Pagoda (2006). ISBN1-59654-348-5
^"섬진강과 보성강의 수려한 물길이, 서로 도와 빚은 풍광" [The beautiful waterways of the Seomjin and Boseong rivers help each other create scenery]. Pressian. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^"공산전투에서 뜻밖의 패배... 도망자 왕건이 몰랐던 그곳" [An unexpected defeat in the Battle of Gongsan... A place that the fugitive Wang Geon did not know]. Hankook Ilbo. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^"팔공산, 국립공원 승격 확정...국내23번째 국립공원" [Palgongsan Mountain has been designated as the 23rd national park in Korea]. Break News. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^[꿀드] [태조왕건 모음.Zip] ※감동※ 왕건을 대신해 죽음을 택한 고려의 개국공신 신숭겸⭐️ ｜ KBS방송 [[Kkulde] [Taejo Wang Geon Collection.Zip] ※Impression※ Sin Sung-gyeom, a founding contributor of Goryeo who chose death in place of Wang Geon⭐️ ｜ KBS Broadcasting] (in Korean). KBS Drama Classic (published 6 October 2001). 1 October 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^왕건 대신 왕의 옷을 입고 죽은 신숭겸의 정체는?!｜천일야사73회 다시보기 [What is the identity of Shin Sung-gyeom who died wearing the king's clothes instead of Wang Geon?!｜Replay Episode 73 of Thousand Days Unofficial History] (in Korean). KBS Drama Classic. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
^"안컴퍼니, 메타버스 창작뮤지컬 '태조 왕건' 오는28일 개막" [Ahn Company, Metaverse creative musical 'Taejo Wang Geon' opens on the 28th]. Break News. 15 November 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
