Let’s go to ‘Namhansanseong Fortress’ and catch the coattails of autumn!
Createdd 2015-11-11 Hit 1520
Contents
“The autumn season is fleeting but autumn memories endure”
It’s a phrase as exciting as ‘let’s go’.
Namhansanseong Fortress is one of the places that pop into mind upon hearing that phrase.
To me, Namhansanseong Fortress is the backdrop of Kim Hoon’s novel which tells the story of Korea’s sad past, and a scene from the musical production of that very novel.
If I were to approach the fortress from the perspective of a traveler in year 2015, what should I do?
Should I have a trip to visit Namhansanseong as a fortress that helped Korean ancestors defend the country in countless battles?
Should I have a trip to enjoy Namhansanseong as a well-known destination in autumn?
Should I have a trip to see animals and plants preserved in an environmentally friendly way in the dense forest?
Should I have a trip to Namhansanseong as an excellent place to try an abundance of food that attracts people from all over the country?
What should I see?
You can only see what you know, right?
That’s why I read booklets before the trip as if I was getting ready for an overseas journey.
But,
“How much did our ancestors suffer to build this fortress?
I can’t imagine how many died trying.”
That’s what I heard from people climbing up to the fortress.
That’s when I decided to forget about having an angle or a concept for this trip.
I decided to just take it all in as it is. To ‘feel the people’.
❙ The castle wall that encircles the mountain. How many stories do those walls have to tell?
❙ The magnificent fortress wall. It winds itself up the mountain like a dragon. The fall foliage adds to the scenery!
❙ As you can see, the fortress wall becomes one with nature.
❙ Namhansanseong Fortress in autumn looks as if it has dyed itself with splendid colors! It hasn’t lost its charm even in the recent drought!
Between isolation and solitude, time to meet my true self.
I feel the people from 400 years ago in the 17th century who used to live here.
For centuries, people would’ve felt bleak with the wind blowing and isolated in this fortress high up on the mountain.
I pass along the roads my forbearers travelled to feel their spirit today.
It’s just the sky, wind, and me up there.
❙ The sky, wind, fortress wall, and me. Here I become complete.
❙ A view of the fortress wall from the inner fort at Yeonjubong. No matter where you go, you can’t escape the fortress!
❙ It seems fluid as a twisting and turning dragon! In this manner, the fortress has stood its ground for centuries.
❙ View of the fortress wall at eye level. Feeling a little isolated?
❙ This is an emergency exit called an ‘ammun’. History tells us that numerous key battles were fought near that gate.
❙ Evergreen trees that never lose their classiness even in the midst of all the magnificent fall foliage.
❙ An unexpected encounter. People did say this place was a wildlife haven!
And if you stand there, you see the lives of our people. Many people would’ve had to leave their homes, unable to return despite being a short distance away.
❙ The world outside the fortress. It seems so close.
❙ It gives you a panoramic view of downtown Seoul.
A special place where the past meets the present
If this place was a ‘natural fortress’ and a perfect example of what a real ‘sanseong’ (mountain fortress) was like in the past; it’s part of the everyday lives of people and a special destination in the present.
The park in the mountain.
Benches that can be found in several places.
Old pine trees supported by trusses that would’ve witnessed everything from Namhansanseong Fortress’ past.
Cultural artifacts and the fortress trail which would’ve spent hundreds of years with the fortress.
❙ You can climb up the fortress easily using the trail next to the fortress wall. Travelers and residents blend in together here.
❙ Sunshine illuminating the trail before dusk.
❙ Sueojangdae on top of the mountain. Here they would’ve carried out military operations.
❙ Trees have shed their leaves in autumn. It seems winter is coming.
❙ Benches are installed in several locations.
The park is open to everyone from nearby residents taking a walk to travelers taking pictures of their special moments. Everyone can experience the special atmosphere here.
It’s easy to find places to rest because there are other trails apart from the one that follows the fortress wall through the mountain. Benches appear just when you need a rest so I think it’ll be perfect for families out and about for a picnic.
Toilets, something that concerns many who visit the fortress, are placed along the trail so you don’t have to worry at all about that either!
❙ Namhansanseong Fortress is watching.
* Fast facts about Namhansanseong Fortress
1. Namhansanseong Fortress: A mountain fortress that protected Hanyang, the capital city, along with Bukhansanseong Fortress during the Joseon Dynasty
o Historical records show that King Munmu of Shilla built Jujangseong Castle in Hansanju in the 13th year of his reign (673). This is presumed to be today’s Namhansanseong Fortress.
o Namhansanseong Fortress was built in its current form during the 2nd year of King Injo’s reign (1624) after Joseon Dynasty subdued Lee Gwal’s rebellion and the threat of Hugeum from the north was escalating. During the invasion of the Qing Dynasty in his 14th year as King (1636), Injo evacuated to Namhansanseong Fortress. After Ganghwa was sacked and as food supplies ran low, King Injo and the crown prince opened the gates and surrendered in a humiliating fashion at Samjeondo. The fortress was repaired several times to reach its current form today. With well-preserved facilities, Namhansanseong Fortress is regarded as the best equipped mountain fortress in Korea.
o Namhansanseong Fortress’ registration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was decided at the 38th World Heritage Committee session held in Doha, Qatar, on June 22, 2014. It earned significant points thanks to the fact the fortress featured ruins from 7th century Shilla as well as fortification techniques from 17th to 19th century Joseon Dynasty, and also for the fact that it was used as a fortified city during emergencies. The committee determined that the unique Korean architectural style which took advantage of the mountain’s natural features and geographical markers, the military technology applied to the fortress to defend against Western weapons, and the added fortification techniques from China and Japan at the time held great value.
2. Sanseong (mountain fortress): a fortress built along a mountain ridge
o This refers to structures built in order to force the enemy to exert great efforts during attack using mountaintops or the slopes, as well as to help friendly forces defend from higher ground.
o Korea possesses advanced fortification techniques for mountain fortresses thanks to our mountainous terrain, so much so Korea has earned the nickname of ‘mountain fortress country’. Historians regard mountain fortresses as the backbone of our people that made our survival possible.
Source: Naver Encyclopedia | Wikipedia
It’s okay to just get going!
Every trip has a reason (or some sort of excuse).
To relieve stress? To escape? Because this is your only chance? Or just because you can?
Namhansanseong Fortress is close by so you don’t have to make an excuse or check if you have time to take a trip.
It’s a place where the wall of isolation built centuries ago presents you with a sense of solitude.
A solo experience with ‘the sky, wind, and I’ whenever you need some time alone.
A mountain fortress trekking experience at a ‘place that offers more rest than a theme park’ whenever you need some time with others.
It’s the perfect place for any activity.
Do you have to make up a reason?
Just go! Right now! Let’s get going!
The end of autumn is near!
P.S.
The day I chose to visit Namhansanseong Fortress was a lucky one for me as it was ‘Culture Day’.
Admission is free to the Namhansanseong Haenggung Temporary Palace on the last Tuesday of each month!
❙ Today is ‘Culture Day’ which comes around on the last Tuesday of each month. So you can see the Haenggung Temporary Palace for free!
The 2015 autumn tourism week only lasts for 14 days.
Tourism week continues until November 1!
Go now to catch the coattails of autumn!
@Gyeonggi Net-keeper
