Gwanggyosan

Gwanggyosan
Gwanggyosan seen from Hwaseong, Suwon
Highest point
Elevation	582 m (1,909 ft)
Prominence	582 m (1,909 ft)
Coordinates	37°20′41″N 127°02′02″E / 37.34472°N 127.03389°E / 37.34472; 127.03389
Geography
Location	South Korea
Parent range	Gwanggyosan Range
Climbing
Easiest route	Gwanggyo Reservoir, Suwon
Korean name
Hangul	광교산
Hanja	光敎山
Revised Romanization	Gwanggyosan
McCune–Reischauer	Kwanggyosan

Gwanggyosan (582 m^[1]) is a mountain in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies on the border of Suwon and Yongin, though the wider range extends north and so also borders Uiwang, Gwacheon, Seoul, and Seongnam.^[2]

The summit offers views across Suwon, Yongin, and Bundang. The mountain is commonly hiked from Gwanggyo Reservoir in Suwon.^[3]

Gwanggyosan and Pungsu

Interpreted within the context of traditional Korean logic and beliefs – especially within the realm of Korean Confucianism – Gwanggyosan serves as Suwon's jinsan, or Guardian Mountain. This is in keeping with the logic of pungsu (known as feng shui in China), which avers that an ideal site for a city or town is one where there is a jinsan to the north, an open vista, river or a large body of water to the south, and either mountains or valleys to the east and west.^[4] As Suwon's jinsan, Gwanggyosan provides a natural landmark indicating the city's position to travelers ^[5] and acts as a sort of "shield" against the harsh winds from the north in wintertime. Aiding Gwanggyosan in providing a favorable sense of pungsu to Suwon are the flat farms and paddies in the southern portions of Gwonseon-gu and Yeongtong-gu, Chilbo-san to the west, and the hills along Suwon's border with Yongin to the east.

Gallery

• 
  Summit stone
• 
  SE Seoul and Seongnam seen from Gwanggyosan
• 
  Suji seen from Gwanggyosan
• 
  Gwanggyo Reservoir at the southern foot of the mountain

See also

• List of mountains in Korea

References