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Location62, Dalgibong-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryTour/ Natural Environment
- Korean닭이봉 전망대
- Chinese-展望臺
- FieldGeography / Human Geography
- Contents TypePlace Name / Facility
- Established Location62, Dalgibong-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Current Location62, Dalgibong-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- An observatory located atop Dagibong Peak on the Gyeokpo-ri coast, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun county, Jeollabuk-do
- Summary
- Dagibong Observatory is situated atop Dagibong Peak [86 meters high] in Gyeokpo, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, which is on the western coast of Byeonsan-bando in Jeollabuk-do. Dagibong Peak seems to support the Chaeseok River between Gyeokpohang Harbor beside Mt. Oibyeon and Gyeokpo Beach, resembling an umbrella. From here, visitors can view the tourist attractions on Uido Island and the Gyeokpo area.
- Background of Construction
- Dagibong Observatory was constructed as a viewing station to fully appreciate the beautiful landscape of Uido Island, the tourist attractions around Gyeokpo and the sunset on the West Sea horizon from Dagibong Peak, which is located between Gyeokpo Harbor beside Mt. Oibyeon and Gyeokpo Beach in Byeonsan-bando peninsula.
- Composition
- The observatory is a three-storied building in the form of the Korean traditional octagonal pavilion, or “palgakjeong”. The building houses a café on the first floor, a gallery on the second floor, and an observatory deck on the third floor.
- Current Status
- Dagibong Peak, where the Dagibong Observatory is situated, is part of the Byeonsan-bando National Park, which features the Chaeseok River, a key tourist attraction of Mt. Oibyeon. From Byeonsan Masil-gil, the Peak is the highlight of the popular course No. 3, which boasts unobstructed views of the Jeokbyeok River, the Suseongdang Shrine, the Yongamgul Grotto, Gyeokpo Beach, the Chaeseok River, Gyeokpo Harbor and Haeneomi Park. The distance from the base of the mountain to the observatory is about 600 meters, or about 20 minutes by walking. On the southern face of the mountain is a sea cave formed by the ocean waves, and on the western face is an escarpment and an undaform zone. The river earned the name “Chaeseok”, inspired by the stunning place visited by the acclaimed Chinese poet Li Bai. The Chaeseok River is a major tourist attraction on Byeonsan-bando and was designated a national geological park on the western coast in Jeollabuk-do. To the north of Dagibong Peak, visitors can view Gyeokpo Beach, the Jeokbyeok River and the Suseongdang Shrine as well as Haseom Island, Seonyudo Island and the Saemangeum Seawall in the distance. To the south is Gyeokpo Harbor and Bongsubong Peak [with an ancient beacon fire station at 175 meters] belonging to the Byeonsan-bando National Park. To the west, islets of Uido Island appear only a stone’s throw away. Gyeokpo Harbor, which now bustles with fishing boats and cruise liners, was once a quiet fishing village, whose distinctly formed dunes along the coast made the beaches popular. The name “Dagibong” originated from folklore at the time Gyeokpo Village had suffered from incessant disasters blamed on its geographical shape resembling a centipede. Believing that a chicken was most incompatible with a centipede, villagers built a weasel stone sculpture facing the peak. Since future disasters did stop occurring, the people ascribed the name “Chicken Peak” or “Dagibong” in Korean.