BUKHANSAN NATIONAL PARK

This national park extends north of Seoul, half in the city itself and half in Gyeonggi-do. It would be difficult to describe all the possible walks in this beautiful massif with granite rocks superbly polished by the weather. Even if the weekend hordes of Seoulites come to enjoy the fresh air and greenery, it remains an ideal excursion destination if you want to get away from it all. In addition to walks and climbing, there are many interesting monuments worth visiting, such as the Bukhansanseong Fortress and several temples with beautiful Buddhas carved into the rock.

Fortress Bukhansanseong (북한산성). The fortress dates back to the time of the Three Kingdoms, but the visible buildings date from 1711, when King Sukjong undertook its construction to provide a refuge for the court in case of danger. A fortified wall was built from Mount Ingwansan, near the palaces, to the fortress. The fortress is 10 km in circumference, but only 6 months were needed for its construction: the heights of the mountains were judiciously used. The valley in the centre included a palace, sheds, military buildings, temples, etc. The fortress is 10 km in circumference, but only 6 months were needed for its construction: the heights of the mountains were judiciously used. These buildings, which never had to be used in a state of emergency, survived until the Korean War, during which most of them were burnt down. Of the 14 gates that comprised the enclosure, only 3 have been rebuilt (Daeseomun, the only one partially spared, Daedongmun and Daenammun). The 143 guard posts were unfortunately all destroyed.