Gwanggyosan Mountain

Gwanggyosan rises on the border of Suwon and Yongin; its highest peak, Sirubong, is given as 582 m or 585 m depending on the source. Standing alone in a plain with no other large mountains nearby, it has long been seen as Suwon's guardian mountain. It is an earthy mountain with few rocky outcrops, so long pine-shaded paths run along its ridges. It is also the source of the Suwoncheon Stream, which feeds Gwanggyo Reservoir and Gwanggyo Lake Park below.

The story behind the name

The mountain was once called Gwangaksan or Gwangoksan. In 928, the story goes, Goryeo's founder Wang Geon stayed at a temporary palace here on his way back from a campaign against Later Baekje, saw a beam of light rising from the mountain, and renamed it "Gwanggyo" (光敎), "the mountain of shining teaching". People in old Suwon ranked "Gwanggyo Jeokseol", snow piled on the pines of Gwanggyosan, first among the Eight Views of Suwon. Tradition says the mountain once held 89 temples and hermitages, including Changseongsa, so the Buddhist name suited it.

During the Qing invasion of 1636–1637, General Kim Jun-ryong won a major victory over the Qing army here; a battle site and monument on the mountain commemorate it.

Main peak of the Hannam Jeongmaek

Gwanggyosan is the main peak of the Hannam Jeongmaek, the range running south of the Han River and forming the watershed between rivers flowing to the Han and to the Yellow Sea. Its ridge continues north to Baegunsan and Barasan and on towards Uiwang, Seongnam and Cheonggyesan in Seoul, so keen hikers link several mountains in long traverses. Pines dominate the ridges while broadleaf trees fill the valleys, so the colours of the mountain change strongly with the seasons.

Main peaks and trails

• Hyeongjebong (448 m): the "Brothers' Peak", a rocky summit. Its open top gives views over Suwon and Yongin and is the most popular goal.
• Birobong (490 m) and Sirubong: from Hyeongjebong the ridge continues past Birobong to Sirubong, the highest peak, with views towards Suji and Bundang.
• Suwon route: Kyonggi University / Gwanggyo Park → Bandibuli toilet → Cheonnyeonsu spring → Baengnyeonsu → Hyeongjebong, about 3.4 km and 1–1.5 hours one way. The gentle gradient makes it popular with beginners.
• Yongin route: tomb of Jo Gwang-jo in Sanghyeon-dong → Maebong spring → Beoldeulchi Pass → Cheonnyeon spring → Hyeongjebong, about 5.3 km and 2–2.5 hours, the longest approach.
• Ridge traverse: Hyeongjebong – Birobong – Tokkijae – Sirubong, descending to the Sanggwanggyo bus terminus, takes a little over 3 hours.

Tripto tips

• Starting point: most hikers start from Gwanggyo Park beside Gwanggyo Reservoir or from Kyonggi University in Suwon, where large public car parks lead straight onto the trails.
• Toilets: the Bandibuli toilet at the trailhead is the last one, so stop there before you set off.
• Time needed: 2–3 hours for a return trip to Hyeongjebong, 4–5 hours for the traverse to Sirubong.
• Seasons: the dense forest gives shade in summer, and the snowy pine ridges the day after a snowfall explain the Eight Views ranking. Bring traction devices in winter.
• Combine with: a walk around Gwanggyo Lake Park after the hike, or Hwaseong Fortress for a full day in Suwon.