Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHTS
NAMSAN & N SEOUL TOWER
Beloved by locals as a place for exercise, peaceful contemplation and hanging out with loved ones, Namsan was a
sacred shamanistic spot when the Joseon ruler Taejo ordered the construction of a fortress wall across this and
Seoul's three other guardian mountains. The mountain is protected within a 109-hectare park and crowned by one
of the city's most iconic features: N Seoul Tower.
Historic Structures
Sections of the original Fortress Walls still snake across Namsan; near the summit you can
also see the
Bongoodae
(signal beacons), a communications system used for 500 years to
notify the central government of urgent political and military information. A traditional
lighting ceremony is held here between 10am and 12.30pm Tuesday to Sunday.
In the 1920s the Japanese built a Shinto shrine on the mountain, removing the shamanist
prayer hall Guksadang from Namsan's summit in the process (it was rebuilt on Mt Inwang-
san).
Northern Namsan Circuit
Over the last few years the city has been restoring parts of the Fortress Walls and parks and
trails on the mountain. Along the Namsan Northern Circuit, a pedestrian path that snakes
for 3km from the lower cable-car station to the National Theatre, you'll find
Waryongmyo
( 8am-4pm)
, a Buddhist/Taoist/shamanist shrine dedicated to Zhuge Liang (AD 181-234),
a Chinese statesman and general.
Further along is the archery practice ground and hall for the
Korea Whal Culture Asso-
ciation
have trained expert archers for centuries and you can practice firing arrows, too. Nearby,
behind the National Theatre of Korea, is an excellent outdoor gym maintained by the
Chung Chung Athletic Association.
Southern Namsan Circuit
The Southern Namsan Circuit has a pedestrian path and a road used by buses. It cuts
through the old Fortress Wall. Accessed from the Southern Namsan Circuit or via a pedes-
trian bridge over the road from near the Grand Hyatt is the Namsan Outdoor Botanical
