Day Trip from Seoul - Namhansanseong Fortress (UNESCO) & Getting There | Gwangju, South Korea

Namhansanseong Fortress (UNESCO World Heritage) 남한산성

🎖Top 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots in Korea🎖

경기도 광주시 남한산성면 남한산성로 731 (남한산성면) | 731, Namhansanseong-ro, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do

For Namhansanseong Emergency Palace only:

Apr-Oct: 10:00-18:00

Nov-Mar: 10:00-17:00

Closed on Mondays.

For Namhansanseong Emergency Palace only:

Adult (age 19-64): 2,000 won, Youth (age 7-18): 1,000 won, Child/Senior/Person wearing a hanbok: Free

Sanseong Station (line 8, exit 2). Walk straight 100m from exit to the bus stop ahead. Take bus #9 (21 mins) or #9-1/#52 (11 mins, less frequent) and get off at Namhansanseong bus stop; or 11 mins by taxi from station.

🌲Enjoy the bus scenic ride up Namhansan (Namhan Mountain).

After getting off the bus, walk 30m in the direction where the bus came from to the roundabout. Many of the hiking trails start here. The palace and north gate are in front with signage around. There are many restaurants and cafes around the bus stop and near North/South Gates.

Namhansanseong - Sanseong Station - Exit 2

Namhansanseong - Around Namhansanseong Bus Stop

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Tips:

You can request for Namhansanseong leaflets at the information counter near the traffic roundabout. It will give you good information of the palaces, hiking trails and attractions around the area.

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Notes:

www.gg.go.kr/namhansansung-2

Namhansanseong, a UNESCO World Heritage

Namhansanseong is an unique fortress city situated on Namhansan (Namhan Mountain) 500m above sea level and 25km southeast of Seoul.

Namhansanseong was designated as a Provincial Park on 17 March 1971 and UNESCO World Heritage in June 2014.

Main Hiking Trail

Detour from Main Hiking Trail

View from Fortress

Fortress Gate

Namhansanseong Emergency Palace

Comparing Namhansanseong Fortress & Hwaseong Fortress, Gyeonggi

Compared to Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, another UNESCO World Heritage Site also in Gyeonggi Province, Namhansanseong may not be as well-known, particularly with foreign visitors.

However, Namhansanseong, set in a vast and exquisite nature landscape, has a lot to offer especially for the nature lovers.

Hwaseong Fortress

Namhansanseong Fortress

History of Namhansanseong & Emergency Palace

Namhansanseong was designed as an emergency capital of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910).

The Namhansanseong Emergency Palace was built in 1626 to serve as a substitute for the palaces of Hanyang (former name of Seoul) in times of war.

It was a self-contained palace with the King's Office & Living Quarters, Local Administration Hall, Royal Ancestral Shrine, Altar, Pond, Pavilion and a Rear Garden, surrounded by defensive fortress.

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The Namhansanseong Emergency Palace, though not particularly big, is surprisingly beautiful and scenic at every corner from its unique stone stairways, multiple doorways in a straight line to the rear garden.

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Namhansanseong Fortress (12.4km long)

The well-preserved castle wall, Namhansanseong Fortress has a total length 12.4km alongside with its well-maintained hiking trails.

a) Main Hiking Trail

The main hiking trail practically encircled the circumference of the fortress and is easy to walk. To exit the trail, look out for the signage to the Emergency Palace or walk towards the traffic roundabout.

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b) Detour from Main Hiking Trail

For those who are more adventurous, you can detour from the main hiking trail and get on the stairs for the hike right alongside the fortress in some sections. The path will generally leads to the main hiking trail. You can check the signs and maps along on the way to ensure you are on the course.

Namhansanseong - Detour from Main Hiking Trail

Namhansanseong - Detour from Main Hiking Trail - Tall Trees

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Autumn Foliage

Namhansanseong is particularly popular with the locals for its amazing autumn foliage. This is probably one of the best hidden autumn foliage destinations from Seoul, well away from the typical tourist crowds.

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Winter Scene

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Restaurants & Cafes

After walking/hiking around Namhansansung Palace and Fortress, do not forget to have an authentic Korean meal at one of its many restaurants around the bus stop or near North/South Gates.

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Enjoy your Seoul's day trip to this secret hideout, Namhansanseong, immersing in its rich history, culture and nature beauty!

Hiking Courses

Course 1 (3.8km, 80 mins) *Most Popular*

Roundabout → North Gate → West Gate → Sueojangdae → Yeongchunjeong → South Gate → Roundabout

Course 2 (2.9km, 60 mins)

Roundabout → Yeongwoljeong → Sungyeoljeon → Sueojangdae → West Gate → Gukcheongsa Temple → Roundabout

Course 3 (5.7km, 120 mins)

History Hall → Hyeonjeolsa Temple → Beolbong Peak → Janggyeongsa Temple → Mangwolsa Temple → Jisudang Altar → Administration Office

Course 4 (3.8km, 80 mins)

Roundabout → South Gate → Namjangdaeteo → East Gate → Jisudang Altar → Gaewonsa Temple → Roundabout

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Trail Highlights

a) Pine Forest

The Pine Forest at Namhansanseong is the largest in the metropolitan area.

Namhansanseong Fortress - Hiking Trail - Pine Trees

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b) Sueojangdae (West Command Post)

The 2-storey Sueojangdae (West Command Post), located at the top of Cheongyangsan (482m) is the only remaining structure of the 5 military command posts constructed at that time.

Namhansanseong - Sueojangdae (West Command Post)

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c) Fortress Gates

Namhansanseong - Bukmun Gate (North Fortress Gate)

Namhansanseong - Bukmun Gate (North Fortress Gate) - View at the top

Namhansanseong - Bukmun Gate (North Fortress Gate) - View from the top

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d) Spectacular Views

Namhansanseong - Hiking Trail - Spectacular View

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Map

Bus Route from Samseong Station (exit 2) to Namhansanseong

Map of Bus Routes to Namhansanseong Provincial Park from Sanseong Station | Gwangju, South Korea

Map of Hiking Courses at Namhansanseong

Day Trip from Seoul - Namhansanseong Fortress - Map of Hiking Trails | Gwangju, South Korea

Map of Key Attractions and along the Hiking Courses

Namhansanseong - Map of Hiking Courses &

Map of Namhansanseong Haenggung (Palace)

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