Naksan Mountain / park is located near Hyehwa station on line 4. It is located inside the Seoul Fortress Wall and the mountain’s beauty was enjoyed by the Jeseon Royal family. During the Japanese occupation of Korea most of the mountain was destroyed to make way for urban planning. On June 10th, 2002  Naksan was [...]]]>

Naksan Mountain

Naksan Mountain / park is located near Hyehwa station on line 4. It is located inside the Seoul Fortress Wall and the mountain’s beauty was enjoyed by the Jeseon Royal family. During the Japanese occupation of Korea most of the mountain was destroyed to make way for urban planning. On June 10th, 2002  Naksan was designated a park in order to save any natural beauty that was left. In January 2011 a new trail was opened on Naksan Mountain. A section of the Seoul Fortress wall was rebuilt and repaired making the total length of the wall 2km in this area. The Government of Seoul hope to bring more tourist by completing a trail along the Seoul Fortress wall by the end of 2012. The trail will follow the 20km route of the wall and show a path full of history and culture.

Naksan mountain is just over 100 meters high. To get to the top you can take two routes. The winding route with a gradual slope or the stairs which go straight up. At the start of the trail you can find Naksan Gallery (open 9 – 5), a small stage area, a parking lot, a shop and some benches to relax on. On the trail up the mountain you will come across a lot of trees, flowers and exercise machines. Half way up the mountain you will find many pavilions where people have picnics and take in the wonderful view of Seoul.

At the top of the mountain you can see the Seoul Fortress Wall. This wall was built in the Jeseon Dynasty to protect from invasion. From here you can get a great view of Seoul City.

How to get to Naksan Mountain:
Take line 4 to Hyehwa station and leave exit 2. From there you can find signs pointing towards Naksan Park. It takes about 10 minutes to walk there.
The park is open 24 hours.

Dongdaemun Stadium was located in downtown Seoul. It was demolished on December 18th, 2007 to make way for the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

Before the stadium was built it was the location of Seoul Fortress wall and Hadomateo (a military camp site) in [...]]]>

Dongdaemun Stadium

Dongdaemun Stadium was located in downtown Seoul. It was demolished on December 18th, 2007 to make way for the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park.

Before the stadium was built it was the location of Seoul Fortress wall and Hadomateo (a military camp site) in the Jeseon Dynasty. In 1925, as the invasion of Japan’s Imperial Army was in full swing, the castle walls were destroyed to clear way for the stadium. The Japanese army built and opened Gyungsung stadium in 1926 to celebrate the matrimony of  the Japanese Crown Prince.

The stadium became the main venue for sports events in the city including the Gyeongseong-Pyongyang inter-city soccer tournament in the 1930s. The stadium included a multi-purpose athletics stadium, a baseball park and other sports facilities

After the liberation from the Japanese colonial rule, the stadium was the location for mass celebrations, as almost 250,000 citizens gathered at the venue on August 15, 1945, to celebrate the liberation. Gyeongseong Stadium was renamed Seoul Stadium and later became know as Dongdaemun Stadium. It was used to host public ceremonies and government led sports event’s to promote sport’s policies. Additional construction was undertaken in 1962 to modernize the two existing venues as well as create a swimming pool, volleyball courts and soft clay tennis courts. Floodlights were added to the baseball venue in 1966 and the athletics venue in 1968 to allow for nighttime sporting events.

After the construction of Jamsil Stadium in 1980, the Dongdaemun Stadium’s function became limited. The baseball field was only used to host college or high school games and the athletic track / football field served as a temporary parking lot and market.

Finally, on December 18th, 2007 the demolition of Dongdaemun Stadium began ending it’s 83 years with the people of Seoul. To see the development that is currently taking place on the old grounds of Dongdaemun Stadium, click here. Also to find out more information and get a map to visit the Dongdaemun Stadium Memorial, click here.

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

Dongdaemun History and Culture Park is being built as a historical and cultural theme park where Seoul’s history comes to life. The park’s site was the location of the Seoul Fortress wall and Hadomateo (a military camp site) in the Jeseon Dynasty. Then in 1925, as the invasion of Japan’s Imperial Army was in full [...]]]>

Dongdaemun History and Culture Park

Dongdaemun History and Culture Park is being built as a historical and cultural theme park where Seoul’s history comes to life. The park’s site was the location of the Seoul Fortress wall and Hadomateo (a military camp site) in the Jeseon Dynasty. Then in 1925, as the invasion of Japan’s Imperial Army was in full swing, the castle walls were destroyed. The Japanese army built and opened Gyungsung stadium in 1926 to celebrate the matrimony of  the Japanese Crown Prince. Over the years the stadium changed names and expanded. Dongdaemun had been with Seoulites for 83 years before its demolition on December 18th, 2007.

After the demolition, excavation work began to restore parts of the old castle. Also work began on the Dongdaemun Culture and History Park. The buildings and park were designed by Zaha Hadid who won the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. See above picture.

Currently only half of Dongdaemun History and Culture Park is open. It was officially opened on  October 27th, 2009 to the public. At the moment you can take a walk around the park area, see the Seoul fortress wall and relic excavation site. Three new buildings have also been opened.

The Dongdaemun Stadium Memorial: This memorial holds permanent exhibitions reviving peoples memory of Dongdaemun Stadium and the surrounding area. You can also find out information about the sporting events held here over the years.

The Dongadaemun History Museum: This museum was built to preserve and exhibit the historical relics excavated from the site during the construction of Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. A total of 2,778 items were discovered.

The Event Hall: The event hall was built as a place where Seoul Citizens can come together and share ideas about design, architecture, fashion, art, culture and history. Every month different exhibitions take place. Outside the event hall there is a small open air theatre and a cafe.

The rest of the Dongaemun Park will be opened at the end of 2011. This will include the completion of the park area, restoration work and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). This will be the main facility and centre piece of Dongdaemun History and Culture Park. The DDP will be a complex of modern facilities housed in a building ( 4 above ground and 3 underground floors) that includes two multi-purpose convention halls, a design exhibition hall, design museum, design DIY centre, future design centre, information education centre, design resource centre and digital archive.

Admission / Opening Hours:
Admission is free.
10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Sunday. Closed on New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok.

How to get to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park:
Take the line 2, 4 or 5 to Dongdaemun Culture and History Park Station and leave exit 1 or 2. You can’t miss it.

The Seoul Fortress wall built 1397 as protection from invaders and show the boundaries of the city. The wall stretches 18.2km but most of it has been destroyed over the years during the Japanese invasion and Korean War. The government is currently trying to restore most of the wall.

We started our journey [...]]]>

Bugaksan Fortress Wall

The Seoul Fortress wall built 1397 as protection from invaders and show the boundaries of the city. The wall stretches 18.2km but most of it has been destroyed over the years during the Japanese invasion and Korean War. The government is currently trying to restore most of the wall.

We started our journey at Bugaksan Mountain Fortress Wall Area.  Bugaksan Mountain is very close to the Blue House (Cheongwadae), the official residence of the President of the Republic of Korea. This area has been closed to the public since the assassination attempt on the President’s life in 1968 by the North Koreans.

However, since April 5th, 2007 the whole area has been opened to the general public.  The Bugaksan Mountain is still heavily fortified and guarded. Along your trail you will notice a lot of barbed wire fences, sensors and a small viewing outpost for soldiers every 100 metres. If you would like to visit this area you will need your Passport or Certificate of Alien Registration. After you have cleared the security check you will be issued with an I.D badge.

Opening hours: 09:00 to 15:00 (April to October) and 10:00 to 15:00 (November to March). Closed every Monday or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday. It took us 1 hour to walk to the top and back again. There are a lot of steep steps and it is recommended that you take a break every few minutes and bring plenty of water. After you enter the trail through the security check there are No water Fountains or toilets.

The course is very scenic. You have excellent views of the surrounding area and a lot of trees and flowers.

<<Changuimun Gate. To the right is the start of the trail and Security check.

How to get to Bugaksan Mountain Fotress Wall Seoul:

Take line 3 and get off Gyeonbokgung Station and go out exit 3. From there you can take the green bus #1020, #0212, #7022 or you can take a taxi which costs under 5,000won. When using the bus and taxi, the stop you are looking for is Changuimun – 창의문( Seoul Fortress Wall). In front of the stop you will see stairs leading to Changuimun gate and a big statue of a Police Officer.

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