Gaksan Beacon Station, Sacheon

This beacon station stands at the summit of Gaksan Mountain, at an elevation of 398 m. A bonghwa, or beacon fire, also called bongsu, was a traditional means of relaying urgent news using bong (torch fire) and su (smoke): a fire was lit atop a high mountain, signalling by smoke during the day and by firelight at night. Beacon stations were established for the state's political and military purposes, and the documented origin of Korea's beacon-fire system is generally placed in the mid-Goryeo period. The Gaksan beacon station is built in a round shape made of gathered natural stones. At the centre of the broad, round lower platform, another round platform has been built up, standing higher than the one below. On both platforms remain square openings that appear to have been used for lighting fires, and a stairway leading up is set to one side of the lower platform. Established during the Goryeo period, it received signals relayed from Gujeongbong Peak on Geumsan Mountain in Namhae, by way of Taebangsan Mountain on Changseon. In the Goryeo period these signals were sent on to the Chimji beacon station in Yonghyeon-myeon and the Usan beacon station in Gonyang-myeon. In the Joseon period, under King Sejong, the beacon network was reorganised: the Chimji and Seonangdang beacon stations were abolished and the Yonghyeon Anjeom beacon station was newly established to relay signals. It also served to relay signals from the Gongsusan beacon station on Saryangdo Island to the Jwaisan beacon station in Goseong.

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Where it is

Region

Sacheon, Gyeongnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료