Behind the busy streets of  Dongdaemun Market, you can go to a park which is located up Mt. Naksan. Overlooking the city of Seoul, it reminds us of the 70s or 80s of Seoul. Following the old castle trail and finally reaching hyehwamun. Finish the tour at the street of  the arts and culture, Daehakro.

⊙ What kind of place is Naksan Castle?

Naksan is one of the four Naesasan mountains (Namsan, Inwangsan, Bukaksan and Naksan), and was the main mountain according to divination based on topography. and It had an important role as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty by being applicable to the left blue dragon of Bukak from Pungsu Theory, and being confronted to Inwangsan, and was built along the ridge as a border of Hanyang. It is located around 2-10 Dongseoung-dong Jongro-gu, Seoul and supplies provides a pleasant park landscape to for Seoulites after recovering natural circumstances and historic culture circumstances of Naksan in 1999. Ney more Also, there are Dongdaemun, Treasure No.1, Ewhajang, the Seoul Memorial No.6 and the Seoul Castles, and Historical Site No.10, all around Naksan. So this area has been established as the a nature visiting and historic educational venue.

◈  Tour of Naksan Castle in advance

 

 
▲ Naksan Castle in Autumn
 

▲ A trail of Naksan Ramparts

 
▲ Hyehwamun

 

□ Hyehwamun

    This is one of 4 small gates of Seoul Castle and is commonly known as Dongsomun. It was named Hongwhamun at the completion time of 1399(King Taejo of 5 year) but was changed to Hyehwamun at the time of King Jungjong(1511) because of the same pronunciation with Hongwahmun, main gate of Changgyunggung Palace. Hyehwamun was called Bukmun after closing Sukjeongmun, Bukdaemun of Seoul. Japan destroyed a gate tower(Munru), a stonework(Seokchook) and an arch(Hongye) between 1928 and 1939, but the Korean people later rebuilt them after moving them over a little. Originally, there was a dragon on the roof of the inside of the arch. But a phoenix was drawn on this gate. It was seen to prevent using phoenix because of many birds.
 
The castle is an artificial construction to guarantee a safe life from natural disasters on the inside of the permanent territory. The castle town of the Joseon Dynasty has a big character that represents the status of the Royal family and Nation. Koreans have developed unique castles with mountain fortresses using mountainous terrains, while the Chinese developed castles on flat ground. Seoul castle is the castle surrounding the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, and was constructed with Gyeongbokgung Palace as the center, connecting Baekak(Bukaksan) as the main mountain, Inwangsan at the west, Naksan at the east and Namsan(Mokmyeoksan) at the south. Seoul castle contains Namdaemun, National treasure No. 1 and Dongdaemun, Treasure No. 1 and is the cultural assets that symbolized Seoul based on history, that is, the Castle of the Joseon Dynasty. There are 4 big gates and 4 small gates in the Seoul Castle.