Naksan Park is an area of the fascinating city of Seoul with a city fortress wall from Hyehwamun Gate to Heunginjimun Gate. The Naksan Park is the surrounding area and the camel hump-shaped modest scale Naksan Mountain in the Jongno-gu district of Seoul, South Korea. The name Naksan is drawn from the Korean words nakta (camel) and san (mountain). The mountain’s highest point is only about 125 meters.
The surrounding area and the mountain were designated as a public park by the city government in 2002 to preserve the remaining green spaces after much of the mountain was demolished during the Japanese Occupation.
The Naksan Park is free entry, open 24 hours and has amenities for the disabled like accessible restrooms, parking and pathways.
How to Reach Naksan Park
From Hyehwa Station, Naksan Park is a moderate uphill walk of just 10 minutes. In spring, upon your arrival, you will feel the gentle spring breeze and get a different view of downtown Seoul.
Things to Do In and Around Naksan Park
The Main Plaza
The main plaza of Naksan Park has a wide range of facilities for tourists, including an exhibition hall, a hexagonal pavilion, basketball and badminton courts, fitness equipment, a pavilion, and a senior citizens’ center. The hours of operation for different facilities vary amongst the different seasons. There are open spaces for picnics offering great views. Naksanjeong pavilion offers great views of the surrounding area.
Seoul City Wall
About 2 kilometers of the approximately 19 km long Seoul City Wall (Seoul City Fortress Wall) passes through the Naksan Park. You can even this wall from Mt. Naksan. The Naksan Park portion of the wall stretches from Hyehwamun Gate to Heunginjimun Gate.
This was built during the Joseon Dynasty for protection against invaders and enemies. The footpath along Seoul Fortress Wall gives a crisp glimpse of Seoul’s long history and old fortress’s features, and walking along this section makes you feel as if you are in an outdoor museum.
Naksan Park Walk
Walking and hiking are common at Naksan Park, and two famous trails are Naksan Mountain Trail and the Seoul Fortress Wall trail. The Seoul Fortress Wall footpath is one of the best walking trails. This course is popular among couples on a romantic date while bathing in the warm sunlight because it is close to Daehangno Street, which is home to cozy cafes and art galleries.
Another hike downhill towards Hyehwamun is easy and famous among photographers and hikers for stunning views. Seoul City Walking Tour around Naksan Park is also popular for city walking on a sunny day.
Two Famous Gates at Naksan Park
It has two smaller gates, Hyehwamun Gate and Heunginjimun Gate, along the walk by the Fortress Wall.
The Hyehwamun Gate was built in 1397 for the fortress surrounding the city center. The path from Hyehwamun Gate to Naksan Park is well-known for its beautiful scenery. Heunginjimun Gate boasts a spectacular site surrounded by stone walls. It is a cultural heritage displaying the beauty of the construction style of the late Joseon Dynasty.
Spectacular Views
It is famous for the spectacular views it offers from the peak of Naksan Mountain and is a great spot to enjoy beautiful sunset and night views of the city. The mountain is popular with the public for its famous panoramic sunset and downtown views, and you can pose against colorful murals to take photos.
You can get a vast panoramic view of downtown Seoul not only from Namsan Mountain but also from the park. On weekends, families and couples visit the park to get the spectacular scenic views. This park is also famous as an outdoor filming location for popular Korean TV and movies. Many famous dramas have filming locations in the park here.
Striking Nightscape
The night view of Naksan Park is breathtaking, with subtle lights lining the path and illuminating the fortress trail surrounding it. Many young couples come to the park in the evening to enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Seoul’s nightscape.
The magnificent views from the hilltop show Seoul’s Fortress and busy city at night and quiet and still life at Naksan Park. Everyone visiting this wonderful place must enjoy the dazzling nightscape of Seoul!
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