Located on the border of Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Bukhansanseong Fortress was first constructed by Baekje, a kingdom that aimed to build walls to protect its capital. Later, it was occupied also during the periods of Goguryeo and Silla, and reconstructed through the periods of Goryeo and Joseon. The time when it came to have the appearance we see today was during the reign of Joseon’s King Sukjong who ordered to strengthen the fortress for defense of Hanyang, the capital. It is the fruit of the highly advanced fortress architecture technology of Joseon Dynasty, which is why the fortress has maintained a near-original form even after more than 300 years since its construction.

Bukhansanseong Fortress is surrounded by sharp, rocky mountaintops that form a magnificent sight and, thanks to its topography featuring steep slopes, was an ideal location to establish a natural fort. For these reasons, it successfully fulfilled its role as a capital-protecting fortress for almost 2,000 years from the period of the Three States to Joseon Dynasty.

Bukhansan Mountain is a popular place to hike for many mountain climbers. Though it is not the tallest, its big and small mountain peaks and rocks, which have been carved and shaped by rain and wind over a long period, paint an amazing picture and appeal its charm as a stony mountain. Hikers enjoy various courses along the ridges and summits of Bukhansan Mountain and, among them, the Bukhansanseong Fortress course is one of the most cherished routes as it leads hikers to walk along the 14 gates of the fortress.

If you start from Bukhansanseong Hiking Support Center and exit to Wonhyobong Peak or through Daeseomun Gate, you may complete the 12.7 km-long trail around the fortress. There are 6 great gates, Bukmun Gate, Daedongmun Gate, Daeseongmun Gate, Daenammun Gate, Daeseomun Gate and Jungseongmun Gate where gate towers were installed to survey the surroundings, as well as 7 secret gates, which provided elusive passages, and 1 water gate. For each course, there is a point after another where you face the incredible scenery of Bukhansan Mountain and enjoy the view of the fortress walls while hiking along a historic site.

Bukhansanseong Fortress currently prepares a foundation to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage. Efforts have been continuing to not only restore parts of the fortress and a temporary palace but also secure more research materials, giving us hope that we will see Bukhansanseong as a more robust and solid heritage.

Written and photos by Park Hee-eun

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