Gyeongsan
Overview
Gyeongsan-si (慶山市) is a city located in the south-central part of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. It borders Yeongcheon-si to the east, Suseong-gu and Dalseong-gun of Daegu Metropolitan City to the west, Cheongdo-gun to the south, and Dong-gu of Daegu Metropolitan City to the north. With an area of 411.70㎢ and a population of approximately 260,000 (as of 2025), it is the fourth-largest city in Gyeongsangbuk-do after Pohang, Gumi, and Gyeongju. It was the center of the Samhan period state of Apdokguk (押督國), was called Gyeongsan-hyeon (慶山縣) during the Joseon Dynasty, and was elevated to city status in 1989. As a satellite city of Daegu Metropolitan City, it has developed residential, educational, and industrial functions, and is particularly famous as an educational city with a concentration of four-year universities such as Yeungnam University and Daegu Catholic University.
Main Content
History
The Gyeongsan area was the site of Apdokguk (押督國), one of the 12 small states of Jinhan (辰韓) during the Samhan period, serving as a political center from around the 1st century BCE. During the Three Kingdoms period, it was subjugated by Silla and organized as Apdok-ju (押督州), later renamed Jangsan-gun (獐山郡) under King Gyeongdeok. In the Goryeo Dynasty, it was elevated to Gyeongsan-bu (慶山府), then downgraded to Gyeongsan-hyeon (慶山縣) in 1413 during the Joseon Dynasty, becoming Gyeongsan-gun (慶山郡) in 1895. In the 1914 administrative reorganization, parts of Jain-gun (慈仁郡) and Hayang-gun (河陽郡) were merged to form Gyeongsan-gun, and it was promoted to Gyeongsan-si on January 1, 1989. In 1995, Gyeongsan-eup, Jain-myeon, Jillyang-myeon, and Hayang-myeon were converted from eup/myeon to dong, establishing the current administrative system. Notably, the Imdang-dong Ancient Tombs and Joyeong-dong Ancient Tombs, relics of Apdokguk, provide important archaeological data from the Samhan period and are designated as Historic Site No. 516.
Geography and Climate
Gyeongsan features a terrain where hilly mountains extending from Palgongsan (1,193m), a branch of the Taebaek Mountains, blend with plains along the Geumho River (琴湖江). To the east rises Cheondeungsan (天燈山, 807m), and to the west Seongamsan (聖岩山), with the Geumho River flowing westward through the central area into Daegu. The climate is influenced by a continental climate, with hot summers and relatively cold winters; the annual average temperature is 12–13°C, and annual precipitation is 1,000–1,100mm. Spring and autumn have large diurnal temperature ranges, and winter is often dry due to the northwest monsoon.
Administrative Divisions
Gyeongsan-si consists of 3 eup, 5 myeon, and 6 dong. The eup (邑) are Hayang-eup (河陽邑), Jillyang-eup (珍良邑), and Apyang-eup (押梁邑). The myeon (面) are Wachon-myeon (瓦村面), Jain-myeon (慈仁面), Yongseong-myeon (龍城面), Namsan-myeon (南山面), and Namcheon-myeon (南川面). The dong (洞) area is divided into Jungbang-dong, Jungang-dong, Nambu-dong, Seobu 1-dong, Seobu 2-dong, and Bukbu-dong. The city hall is located in Jungbang-dong, where major administrative agencies such as the Gyeongsan City Council and Gyeongsan Police Station are concentrated.
Economy and Industry
Gyeongsan traditionally relied on agriculture, but since the 1970s, it has grown as a satellite city of Daegu, developing manufacturing and service industries. Major industries include textiles and clothing, machinery and metals, and electronic and electrical components. In particular, many companies are located in the Gyeongsan Knowledge Industrial Complex (Jillyang-eup) and Gyeongsan Second General Industrial Complex (Hayang-eup). Recently, there has been a push toward semiconductor and display-related component industries, as well as bio and healthcare sectors. In agriculture, fruit cultivation such as peaches, grapes, and apples is active, and Gyeongsan peaches are especially famous nationwide. Additionally, Gyeongsan is designated as part of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Free Economic Zone, making efforts to attract foreign investment.
Education and Culture
Gyeongsan is so densely populated with higher education institutions that it is called an 'educational city.' It hosts three four-year universities—Yeungnam University (Gyeongsan Campus), Daegu Catholic University (Hyoseong Campus and Yustin Campus), and Daegu University (Gyeongsan Campus)—along with junior colleges such as Kyungil University and Daegu Science University. These universities accommodate about 50,000 students, accounting for approximately 20% of the local population, and greatly influence the local economy and culture. Cultural facilities include the Gyeongsan Municipal Museum, Gyeongsan Cultural Center, Gyeongsan Municipal Library, and Yeungnam University Museum. Every October, the 'Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Festival' is held. The Jain Danoje is a traditional folk festival originating from the Samhan period state of Apdokguk, featuring various programs such as tug-of-war, nongak (farmers' music), and talchum (mask dance), and has been designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage since the 2000s. Gyeongsan is also famous for various dishes using peaches (such as peach makgeolli and peach bread), representing 'Korean taste.'
Transportation
Gyeongsan is conveniently located adjacent to Daegu Metropolitan City. The Gyeongbu Expressway passes through the western part of the city, with Gyeongsan IC and North Gyeongsan IC. National Routes 4 and 25 run through the city, and Local Road 919 connects. The Gyeongbu Line railway passes through, with Gyeongsan Station and Hayang Station. Gyeongsan Station serves KTX, ITX-Saemaeul, and Mugunghwa trains, while Hayang Station serves Mugunghwa trains. Daegu Metro Line 2 runs through Gyeongsan city, with five stations: Yeungnam Univ. Station, Gyeongsan City Hall Station, Jeongpyeong Station, Gyeongsan Station (subway), and Hayang Station (subway). In 2024, the Daegu Metro Line 1 extension (Ansim–Hayang) opened, connecting to Hayang-eup. City buses are jointly operated by Gyeongsan city buses and Daegu Metropolitan City buses, providing very high accessibility to Daegu.
Tourism and Attractions
Major tourist attractions in Gyeongsan include the Imdang-dong Ancient Tombs and Joyeong-dong Ancient Tombs from the Samhan period, Daewonsa Temple (大源寺) on the slopes of Palgongsan, Gyeongsanbo (慶山洑) along the Geumho River, and Jain Valley. Daewonsa Temple, founded during the Silla period, has its Daeungjeon Hall and Three-story Stone Pagoda designated as Treasures. The Gyeongsan Municipal Museum displays relics of Apdokguk, and Yeungnam University Museum houses archaeological and folklore materials. Recently, the 'Gyeongsan Peach Theme Park' and 'Geumho River Trail' created by Gyeongsan City have become popular with family visitors. Every August, the 'Gyeongsan Peach Festival' is held, featuring peach quality contests and experiential events.
Latest Trends
In 2024–2025, discussions on integration with Daegu Metropolitan City continue. In November 2024, Gyeongsangbuk-do and Daegu Metropolitan City agreed to officially pursue 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Integration,' and Gyeongsan City is likely to become part of Daegu if integrated. Accordingly, opinion surveys and public hearings targeting Gyeongsan citizens are underway, with a resident vote scheduled for the second half of 2025. If integration is realized, Gyeongsan will be incorporated into the eastern part of Daegu, expected to bring administrative and financial changes. Additionally, Gyeongsan City aims to create a 'Smart City' by 2025, introducing an AI-based traffic management system, smart parking lots, and an IoT-based environmental monitoring system. In the economic sector, a 'Semiconductor Specialized Complex' is being developed within the Gyeongsan Knowledge Industrial Complex, and as of March 2025, about 30 semiconductor-related companies have confirmed their occupancy. In education, Yeungnam University and Daegu Catholic University have been selected for the 'Glocal University 30' project, expanding educational programs linked to regional innovation. Culturally, the 'Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Festival' is pursuing UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity listing in 2025, and the city has invested a budget of 5 billion won to preserve traditional culture and revitalize tourism. As of December 2024, the population was 262,345, with an increasing trend of incoming residents due to rising housing prices in Daegu and improved transportation convenience.
Related Topics
- [[Daegu Metropolitan City]]
- [[Apdokguk]]
- [[Yeungnam University]]
- [[Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Festival]]
- [[Gyeongsangbuk-do]]
---
AI-generated document · Improved together by the community