Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortress is the remains of a once important area in the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). The area was once the capital city of the Baekje Kingdom. On July the 22nd, 1982 Mongchontoseong was designated as historic site No. 297. The fortress was built on raised land and used the protection [...]]]>

Mongchontoseong (Mongchon Earthen Fortress)

Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortress is the remains of a once important area in the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). The area was once the capital city of the Baekje Kingdom. On July the 22nd, 1982 Mongchontoseong was designated as historic site No. 297. The fortress was built on raised land and used the protection of the river on one side with a fence built on the other side. Not much remains today of the Fortress and to most people the area looks like a nice park with hills. The fortress totalled 2.7 km in length. The fortress is now connected to the Olympic Park. The excavation of the area began before the Olympic Park was built. On the site of the Mongchontonseong Fortress is a museum. The museum displays items excavated from the site and shows what life would have been like at that time.

At Mongchontoseong Fortress there is plenty to see. Scattered throughout the site are different artistic sculptures made by various artists. The site contains open areas for picnics and a small lake. As Mongchontoseong Fortress is connected to the Olympic Park there are plenty of sporting facilities available and a bicycle trail.

Opening Hours / Admission

The area is open from 6:00-22:00

Admission:

Free to all

How to get to Mongchontoseong Earthen Fortress:

Take line 8 to Mongchontoseong station and leave exit 1. The park is right in front of you.

Alternatively, take line 5  to Olympic Park station and leave exit 3. The park is right in front of you.

Gwanghuimun gate was one of the small four gates that made up the Fortress wall that surrounded the palaces, city and protected Seoul from invaders. It is one of the less known gates and doesn’t get much attention due to the much bigger Dongdaemun Gate situated nearby. Gwanghuimun was built in 1396 [...]]]>

Gwanghuimun Gate

Gwanghuimun gate was one of the small four gates that made up the Fortress wall that surrounded the palaces, city and protected Seoul from invaders. It is one of the less known gates and doesn’t get much attention due to the much bigger Dongdaemun Gate situated nearby. Gwanghuimun was built in 1396 in the southeastern part of the walled capital. The gate was rebuilt in 1711 and the gatehouse was completed in 1719. The gate house and battlements around it were destroyed during the Korean War, only to be restored in 1976. The current Gwanghuimun gate is located slightly further south of the original site due to roads being built there.

How to get to Gwanghuimun Gate:
Take line 2 or 4 to Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station and leave exit 3 or 4 and follow the map below.

One of the four small gates in the historic fortress walls of Seoul. Hyehwamun was built in 1396 in the northeastern part of the walled capital. Its original name was Honghwamun but this had to be changed to the current name in 1511 because the same name was used for the east entrance of [...]]]> One of the four small gates in the historic fortress walls of Seoul. Hyehwamun was built in 1396 in the northeastern part of the walled capital. Its original name was Honghwamun but this had to be changed to the current name in 1511 because the same name was used for the east entrance of Changgyeongung palace. It has also been known as Small East Gate (Dongdaemun). Its gatehouse was built in 1744 and was demolished in 1928, due to damage caused by old age leaving the arched entrance. The gate structure was destroyed entirely during the Japanese Colonial Period to allow for the construction of tram tracks. It was restored in 1992. The current gate is slightly further north from the original site due to road building.

How to get Hyehwamun Gate:
Take line 4 to Hyehwa station and leave exit 1. Keep heading straight and follow the bend in the road to the right and follow the road for about 2 minutes. You will see Hyehwamun on your left.

Bosingak Bell Tower was used during the Joseon Dynasty. The purpose of the bell tower was to notify the people of the opening and closing of the city gates and in case of emergencies. In the morning at 4:00am the bell rang 33 times which symbolized the 33 cheon (Heaven) of Buddhism. In the evening [...]]]>

Bosingak Bell Tower

Bosingak Bell Tower was used during the Joseon Dynasty. The purpose of the bell tower was to notify the people of the opening and closing of the city gates and in case of emergencies. In the morning at 4:00am the bell rang 33 times which symbolized the 33 cheon (Heaven) of Buddhism. In the evening at 7:00pm the bell rang 28 times which symbolized the 28 su (location of stars) of the constellation. The bell is no longer used except at midnight, New Year’s Eve when it is rung 33 times. Because of the massive number of people who attend this ceremony, line 1 of the Subway does not stop at Jonggak Station on New Year’s Eve.

Bonsingak Bell Tower was built in 1396 but destroyed numerous times of the years from fires, Japanese occupation and the Korean war. The bell melted due to fire in 1455 and was rebuilt in 1468. The bell which still survives to this day was put on display in the National Museum to preserve it. The current bell in Bosingak Tower was made and installed in 1985 by the Seoul Municipal Government.

How to get to Bonsingak Bell Tower:
Take line 1 to Jonggak station and leave exit 4 and it will be right in front of you.

Heunginjimun Gate is located in Dongdaemun in Seoul.  Heunginjinmun Gate was the East Gate of the capital Seoul and built in 1398. The current Heunginjimun Gate was rebuilt in 1869. At that time, four large gates and four small gates were built in the fortress walls surrounding the city. The gatehouse is a two story [...]]]>

Heunginjimun Gate AKA Dongdaemun Gate

Heunginjimun Gate is located in Dongdaemun in Seoul.  Heunginjinmun Gate was the East Gate of the capital Seoul and built in 1398. The current Heunginjimun Gate was rebuilt in 1869. At that time, four large gates and four small gates were built in the fortress walls surrounding the city. The gatehouse is a two story building and part of the original Fortress wall that ran around Seoul city.

The most unusual characteristic of the gate is that it has a specially built outer wall, Ongseong. Ongseong was built to prevent the gate from being seen and also served to protect the gate. Because of Heunginjimun is situated in a low and flat region of Seoul, the gate was an easy target for invaders. To compensate for this topographic weakness, Ongseong was constructed. In addition to the practical role of the wall, Ongseong is also a beautiful addition to the gate.

How to get to Heunginjimun Gate:
Take line 1 or 4 to Dongdaemun Station and leave exit 6