Introduction of "Hanyang Fortress Road' (한양도성길)

There is a popular tourist attraction in South Korea, known to be a counterpart of the Central Park of New York City: the Hanyang Fortress Road. The road is consisted of 4 sections, exhibiting various views of Seoul. The hiking routes are easily doable, and there are many other spots to check out. Here is the Hanyang Fortress Road, perfect for a family picnic.

Above is a bird-eye-view map

A city, in any countries, rarely has a 10-km fortress today. In the middle of the city of Seoul, however, the historic Hanyang Fortress Road unfolds into the modern buildings and creates a magnificent landscape. The dignified road reaches 18.6 km from Mt. Inwangsan, Mt. Bukaksan, Mt. Naksan, to Mt. Namsan. “Do-sung” is the Korean word for fortress; the road suffered major damages through the Japanese Invasion in Injin, Japanese colonial era, and the Korean War. The length today is 12km, 6 km short from the original 18km. As the result of constant repairs, 70% of the fortress has found its original look; the road is shortlisted to become a UNESCO-designated cultural property. The historic road is a cradle of historic remains; it surrounds the capital city of Dynasty Chosun. It contains 8 national treasures and 178 cultural properties including the four main gates—Sungnyemun Gate, Heunginjimun Gate, Sukjung Gate, Donee Gate—and the four auxiliary gates—Chang-ee-mun Gate, Hyehwamun Gate, Gwangheemun Gate, Sodukmun Gate.

             The four hiking courses—Inwang, Mokmyuk, Naksan, Baekak—exhibit the four values Confucian teachings: loyalty, filial piety, continence, and righteousness, allowing one to witness the history, culture, and the ecosystem around the Hanyang Fortress Road. Also, one could participate in the Hanyang Fortress Road Stamp Tour by collecting stamps from each route. As a proof of completion, the tour gives away souvenir badges to the participants. 

위 그림은 스템프 투어를 보여주는 지도.

▲The hiking roads of Hanyang Fortress Road is accompanied with forest and park paths. The autumn leaves add dignity to the scenery of 600-year-old capital city of Seoul.

The Inwang Route
Place of Historic Locations

The Inwang Route starts from the first national treasure of South Korea, Sungnyemun Gate, and it has many historic places along the road. Jung-dong-gil Road has the first modern educational institution, the first Christian church, and the first medical facilities, and more. Also, Gyunggyo-jang is located in the Gangbuk Samsung Hospital, where the leader of the South Korean interim government paid a stay. One could indirectly witness the history of South Korean liberation activities. Other locations include Sun Rock where Monk Muhak-daesa prayed for 1000 days in a hope for flourishing future of Hanyang, and Kuksadang site that was built as a shrine that protects the city after the relocation of capital to Hanyang. Kuksadnag was destroyed by Japan citing the reason that it looks down the Japanese shrine, leaving only partial remains.

● 인왕 구간(약 3.3km, 약 2시간 소요)
숭례문 → 소의문 터 → 돈의문 터 → 정동길 → 경교장 → 우수조망소 → 선바위와 국사당 → 인왕산 → 윤동주 시인의 언덕 → 창의문

The Mokmyuk Route
Place Where the Past and the Present Meet

The Mokmyuk Route extends from Gwanghwamun Gate to Sungnyemun and it is the course where scenery from the modern and middle age is best observed. “Mokmyuk” means Mt. Namsan; the hike takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes and is about 7.1km. Along the walk past Hilton Hotel and the N Seoul tower, one stumbles upon the Chosun Shin-gung Site. Chosun Shin-gung, a shrine that is twice the size of Yeoeedo Island, was built by colonial Japan as the symbol of its occupation of Chosun in 1920. Japan brought a body party of its religious founder Amateras Omikami, in a purpose of changing the spiritual and physical structure of Chosun. Mt. Namsan, later on, was degraded into a place for Japan to spread its ideological education. Jamdubong Observatory is one of three vista points—Southern Poto Isalnd, Jamdubong Observatory, Palgakjung Handamdong Observatory—where the four Inside Mountains—Baekak, Naksan, Mokmyuk, Inwang—are seen from. Silhouette of ancient palace and the fortress also can be observed and the road ends at Gwanghwamun, past the wooden stairs and Namsomun Site.

● 목멱 구간(약 7.1km, 약 2시간 40분 소요)
숭례문 → 힐튼 호텔 → 조선신궁 터 → N서울타워 → 자유총연맹 타워 호텔 → 우수조망소 → 남소문 터 → 신라
호텔 → 장충체육관 → 광화문

The Naksan Route
At a Glimpse: the Construction History

The Naksan Route starts from Hyehwamun Gate, also called the Eastern Auxiliary Gate, and it contains the history of the construction of the fortress. It was first built during Taejo, and went through three major repairs during Sejong, Sukjong, and President Park Jung Hee. The part built during Taejo does not exist in the Naksan Route; however, the results of three repairs can be observed at a glimpse. Past Heunginjimun Gate is Ogansumunteo Site. Ogansumun Water Gate was built to turn all outbound water streams from Seoul through the fortress. Igansumun Water Gate was designed to drive outside the city the streams from Mt. Namsan to Chunggyechun River. Both gates lead into Jungrangcheon River to Hangang River. Ogansumun Water Gate only remains with partial site; Igansumun is restored and placed in Dongdaemun Station Cultural Park.

● 낙산구간(약 3.9km, 약 1시간 10분 소요)
혜화문 → 가톨릭대학교 → 낙산 → 동대문성곽공원 → 흥인지문 → 오간수문 터 → 이간수문 → 동대문역사문화공원

The Baekak Route
Perfect For Urban Hike

Starting from Changeemun Gate, the only auxiliary gate that maintains its original look, the Baekak Route includes military operation areas, thus not developed and has its natural scenery preserved. Past Changeemun is Baekarmaru, the peak of Mt. Baeksaksan. With 342m altitude, the whole city of Seoul is seen at the top. Past a pine tree that exhibits scars of 1.21 Crisis of Chungwadae attack is Gokjang. Gogjang is a structure built at the high part of the fortress in regard of the surrounding terrain. Circular structures are called Gokjang; square forms are called Chasung. A tourist is required an ID and an application for entry. Minors may enter the mountain with proper chauffeur.

● 백악 구간(약 5.2km, 약 2시간 30분 소요)
창의문(자하문) → 돌고래쉼터 → 백악마루 → 1·21사태 소나무 → 청운대 → 곡장 → 촛대바위 → 숙정문 → 말바위쉼터 → 와룡공원 → 혜화문