A spectacular view of the nine peaks and eight valleys of Sobaeksan Mountain

The nine peaks of Sobaeksan Mountain and the eight valleys between them are collectively known as 'Gubongpalmun'. It is also known as the "Beopwolpalmun (Eight Dharma Gates)" because a Buddhist disciple once mistook it for the Dharma Gate and attempted to climb it.

The nine peaks are called Agokmunbong, Bamsilmunbong,
Yeouisaengmunbong, Dusirangimunbong, Deokpyeongmunbong, Gomjeolmunbong, Baegolmunbong, Guigimunbong, and Saebalmunbong, starting from the first peak. The eight valleys, starting with the first one, are called Agolmunan-gol, Bamsilmunan-gol, Yeouisaengmunan-gol, Deokgarakmunan-gol,Gomjeolmunan-gol, Baegolmunan-gol, Guigamunan-gol, and Saebalmunan-gol.

Some people believe that these peaks represent different stages in the process of awakening to the Tao, and climb them in order to calm their minds. The idea is that you can achieve enlightenment by walking all of the nine peaks and eight valleys, starting at Namcheon-ri and Baekja-ri in Yeongchun-myeon and ending at Gukmangbong Valley.

At the summit of Yeongjubong (aka Suribong), which rises from the fourth of the eight peaks, there is the Jeokmyulgung (Nirvana Palace), the tomb of Sangwolwongak, the founder of Guinsa Temple. Nirvana refers to the Buddhist world of nirvana, and the Jeokmyulgung is said to represent the ascension of three dragons in Feng Shui.