The Chosundae Ma-ae Buddha Seated Statue is a rock-carved Buddha located on the cliff of Chosundae at Geumseonsa Temple in Gimhae-si. Chosundae means "inviting immortals" and is also called Chohyeondae, meaning "inviting sages." According to legend, King Gedeung of Garakguk invited an immortal residing on Chiljeomsan Mountain to Chosundae, where they enjoyed playing the geomungo and baduk. Because of this legend, this rock-cut Buddha is also said to be a portrait of King Gedeung. It shows the regional style of Goryeo period rock-carved Buddhas with a shaved head, narrow and long eyes, a broad nose, and thick, wide lips. The body is simply depicted with lines, lacking volume and appearing flat, and the halo is separated by lines with no patterns, making it plain. The overall atmosphere well represents the large-scale rock-carved Buddha style frequently made during the Goryeo period. (Source: National Heritage Agency)
Yedam, meaning 'containing art' and 'resembling the old,' is an organization founded by CEO Min-Kyung Lee to introduce traditional culture and arts to the citizens of Gimhae. Its goal is to allow cultural arts to naturally permeate daily life for all members of society, including marginalized groups. To support this, Da-In Ryu, who majored in Gayageum, and her seniors and juniors have gathered. Yedam teaches children how to play the 8-string Gayageum designed for kids, conducts traditional craft classes at senior day care centers, and offers Gayageum and drum experience events for people with disabilities. It also provides various opportunities for tourists to experience traditional arts such as hanbok rental, knot craft, and Gayageum practice. True to its name, Yedam actively shares with warm hearts so that anyone can enjoy traditional culture and arts.
Songdam Seowon is a memorial altar honoring four militia leaders—Kim Deuk-gi, Song Bin, Yu Sik, and Lee Dae-hyeong—who raised a militia in Gimhae during the Imjin War and died defending the fortress. In 1592, when Japanese forces who had captured Dongnae Fortress attacked Gimhae Fortress, General Seo Rye-won fled, abandoning the fortress. As the fortress was on the verge of fall, the four militia leaders each led their troops to fiercely fight the invaders and died in battle, marking the beginning of the Imjin militia movement. In 1708 (the 34th year of King Sukjong's reign), Pyochungsa Shrine was established in Juchon-myeon to honor Song Bin. Later, in 1784 (the 8th year of King Jeongjo's reign), Songdamsa Shrine was built in Jinrye-myeon to honor all three loyal subjects: Lee Dae-hyeong, Kim Deuk-gi, and Song Bin. In 1833 (the 33rd year of King Sunjo's reign), the shrine plaque was renamed Pyochungsa.
Sachungdan is a memorial altar built in 1871 by order of King Gojong to honor the merits of Kim Deuk-gi, Song Bin, Yoo Sik, and Lee Dae-hyeong, who raised militia forces and died defending Gimhae during the Imjin War, which began in April 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo's reign). Originally located at 873 Dongsang-dong, it was relocated and expanded to the area around 161 Dongsang-dong due to urban planning in Gimhae. A memorial ceremony is held annually on the 20th day of the fourth lunar month. After the war ended, in 1600 (the 33rd year of King Seonjo's reign), they were posthumously conferred the rank of Gaseondae-bu; Kim Deuk-gi and Lee Dae-hyeong were appointed as Ministers of Personnel, and Yoo Sik and Song Bin as Ministers of Taxation. Kim Deuk-gi’s tomb is in Hallim-myeon, and Lee Dae-hyeong’s tomb is in Sangdong-myeon.
Haeunsa, located at Manjangdae, the best mystical spot in Gimhae, offers a view of the wide plains of the lower Nakdong River to the south, with Gimhae city to the west and Donggimhae city to the east clearly visible. According to legend, the name Haeunsa originates from a temple founded to thank the Dragon King who calmed the waves, allowing Queen Heo, who came from the Ayuta Kingdom of India to ancient Gaya and married King Suro, and her brother Jang Yuhwasang to safely voyage. Haeunsa features an uncommon building called Daewangjeon, where King Suro is enshrined; inside are portraits of King Suro and Queen Heo, and it is located within Bunsanseong, serving as a forward base to repel Japanese invaders. Since 1982, starting with the reconstruction of Yeongsanjeon, various halls have been rebuilt and repaired, and in 1997, a Buddhist ritual was conducted to recreate the Pasa Stone Pagoda that Queen Heo is said to have brought on the ship.
Bunsanseong Fortress was originally built in 1377 (third year of King U of Goryeo) by official Bak Wi to block the Japanese pirates, and was reconstructed in 1871 (8th year of King Gojong) by official Jeong Hyeon-seok after being destroyed during the Imjin War. Considering that the fortress’s foundation selection method follows the teummoesik style typical of mountain fortresses in the Three Kingdoms period, it is presumed that the first construction dates back to the Gaya period. The fortress walls form a long oval shape north to south, surrounding the flat terrain at the mountain top; the nearly vertical stone walls are about 3 to 4 meters high, though many parts have collapsed. From Bunsanseong, you can overlook Gimhae city, Gimhae Plain, Nakdong River, and the South Sea at a glance. It is a teummoesik mountain fortress with stone walls ringed around the summit, currently leaving about 900 meters of walls on the city-facing slopes. Inside the fortress are two gates in the north and south, a secret gate on the west side, wells, and remains of several buildings. The fortress walls are a total of 929 meters long with an average width of about 8 meters. Inside the fortress is Haeunsa Temple, said to have been built to honor Queen Heo of Garakguk, who is believed to have come from the sea. The temple houses portraits of King Suro and Queen Heo painted during the Joseon Dynasty. It is said that Buddhist warrior monks were stationed here during the Imjin War. Among Gimhae citizens, the fortress is more familiarly known as Manjangdae; the name Manjangdae originated from the title granted by Daewongun during the Joseon Dynasty, recognizing it as a forward base to repel Japanese invaders and referring to the large height of the cliff, which stretches a huge length. On the rock behind the beacon tower restored in 1999, there is Daewongun’s calligraphy of the name Manjangdae and his seal engraved.
