Namhansanseong (Namhan Mountain Fortress): Part 6

I learned that it was completed in 1624. But then what surprised me the most was the fact that 5-km-long fortress was initially built even during the Three Kingdom Period! That means around 57 B.C. Oh.... 

Since I am not into historical numbers or any dates to deal with, I might as well go and look around what this South Gate was all about. First, I noticed at the gate itself. I wonder if that was the original plate used from the beginning. But, I doubted it since it looked like it was made of iron. 

Enough with any doubts, the mere fact that I could just admire its simple beauty was more than what I could ask for. Once again, I did not expect anything prior to go on a hike to reach this gate. 

An afternoon well-spent! 

The South main gate. One of the gates at Namhansanseong or Namhan Fortress. Histories recorded lots of events like the Manchu invasion, the refuge by the royal family, even as a stronghold of resistance during Japanese occupation. 

The height of the fortress perimeter ranges from 3 to 7 meters, but thanks to its steep slopes surrounding them had proven to be one of the key factors in keeping these gates intact. 

My last photo of the South Gate taken in illustration mode. 

Bye, Namhansanseong!

Misfit/Outfit

I must've been crazy to go on hiking with these shoes on!!

Who would've thought that Namhansanseong would require me to do this long-trail hiking. (I know I was dumb enough not to do any prior research of what this place would be like). The thing was that..I just got back from campus, then to weekly Friday prayer, and then I thought to myself..that I still got 3 free hours to kill. So, why not go somewhere and take it a shot. Looking at the subway map and Seoul Map, I spotted this green area where Namhansanseong is located. There I was. 

With a pair of shoes like this, and a bag full of gosh (books and groceries!!!), I did go on a hiking at Namhansanseong!!!

Dehydrated, sore, numb, sweating, .......

Was it worth-it, though?

Sure, it was.

Namhansanseong (Namhan Mountain Fortress): Part 5

Finally I could see the fortress. Yes, one of the fortress that I wanted to see. 

As I reached the end of the trail, finally a glimpse of the fortress was visible. 

This 17th Century South Gate is dubbed to be the biggest one among four other gates in Namhansanseong. 

But, is it really the biggest? Well... 

That's not the point. What I cherished most was the fact that I managed to hike to reach this Gate. Could not believe it myself. I was still fasting and I felt like I forced myself. No water. I was almost dehydrated. 

but..the sheer feeling of joy and triumph set in. 

An automatic mode made it possible for me to 'capture' the moment of me being there. 

I learned that this Gate existed even before King Injo (Joseon Dynasty) built the fortress in 1624. I did not know how to understand it, but..that's exactly what it's said on the placate. 

Anyway..one more picture before getting myself closer to cross the fortress and then..going back again, I mean..climbing down the mountain. Oh..no...I still got a long way before going back to the city. 

One more historical fact: this fortress was used by the royal family to flee themselves from the Manchu invasion in 1636. 

The blue sky over one of the trees: it was a good thing that it was not raining, otherwise I'd got to cancel this 'spontaneous' hiking feat.

Namhansanseong (Namhan Mountain Fortress): Part 4

On the right side of this trail, there was a section called 통일기원탑 'Tower of Prayer for Unification' Since there was no one to asked to, I could not make out the meaning of all these stone towers. Does this Unification refer to South-North Korea Unification? But, one could easily jump to a conclusion that it must be that--considering that it is Korea. 

Some of the stone towers or tab. 

Another section full of 소원탑 or wishing tower. 

Oh, there was one yellow bird caught on my camera!!! 

Now, the bird's gone! 

One of the temples I encountered on my way to the top. 

A different angle of the temple. 

One thing that I would not expect to find is a gymnasium! Yes, with a monthly membership payment, one can be the member of this 체육관 (chaeyukgwan) or gymnasium. Of course, it's a simple one. While exercising, one needs no air conditioner: different from any air-conditioned gymnasium in the cities.  

Up..up...up... 

And..finally I saw walls of stones up front. The trails were getting higher and ...well, I got to make it. Got to reach the top to see what's in it that people were trying to see.

Namhansanseong (Namhan Mountain Fortress): part 3

Namhan Mountain is full of temples. Temples after after temples' names were posted on the directions at some parts of the trails on my up there. The biggest one is Yaksasa. Hmm...it sounds like 'Raksasa' (giant), in Indonesian.  

Another characteristic of the trails along the way to the top was the scattered 소원답 (sowontab) or wishing tower like these ones.  

One would surely see these wishing towers everywhere.  

When you eat, think about your health. When you throw away (the trash), think about environment. That's the message of this banner for all the hikers! 

People protect environment, environment protects people. 

(Should we put the word 'IF' in front of the sentence?) 

The picture does not do any justice to the real beauty of this spot.

See the red spot there? Someone was sitting on a rock by the creek. 

It looks small, but it was actually not. Once again, I set my camera on purpose to make the nature look like a miniature. 

Moss-covered tree like this was one of things that I treasured the most. I think this is the real proof that they are....intact and well-protected. 

(I am not sure whether this is true or not) 

See the street-lamp? Yes, all the way up the mountain, there were street lamps. Street lamp seems to be out of place and an incorrect term to address it. I'd rather call it 'trail lamp'. 

* Let's go on...hiking...

Namhansanseong (Namhan Mountain Fortress): Part 2

Once we arrived at the entrance, we'd surely find this banner indicating that we arrive at the right place. I was relieved to know this. I thought I would never find it.

It is said that this area is considered as World's Heritage. I guess...I got to find out by myself as to why it is considered so.  

'Nature, History, and Culture that breathe'

First, it's nothing spectacular at the entrance. Th walkway was a flat lane leading up to the mountain. It was about 3pm and I was just about to start my climbing..(if I really wanted to, because I really did not know what the mountain had in store for a first timer like me). 

As I kept on wondering as to whether I should go on hiking...the sight of a stream flowing down right on the right-side of the lane...changed my mind. 

Yes, if the very bottom of the mountain itself boasted a refreshing creek like this one...I could imagine what the peak would offer...(hope I was right). 

So..the sound of the water in the midst of summer was enough to change my mind and got me on my feet to go up and up..

I saw people took off their shoes and then went into the creek and sat on the stones....spending time, talking, eating......well... 

The benches, the walking trails, and other facilities were there for anyone to enjoy. But, I did not have time to sit spending time or even admiring the view..coz I got to keep on hiking... 

Still at the same spot. It turned out that I did not want to 'break myself away' from the very first spot where I sat down. 

Up away a bit...there was a bare-foot walking trail. Well, it can be found in some other city parks around Seoul, but this one was right on the trail to the mountain at Namhansanseong. 

They're man-made, of course.^^ So, I got to go up again...

Namhansanseong (Namhan Mountain Fortress): part 1

I was still fasting. But, my appetite for traveling was not. 

Without knowing what to expect, I just packed my backed after attending a Friday prayer at Itaewon and went straight to 1-hour long ride by subway to Namhansanseong. 

What is it, actually?

Well, first..let me just jot down and post up the pictures I took on my way there as soon as I got off at 남한산성입구역 Namhansanseongibgu station exit 1. 

Oh, it's line 8, by the way.

As any typical neighborhood in the outskirts of Seoul, markets like this were apparent.

Gosh..I love those watermelon. 

I took the picture simply because of their contrasting colors that captured my eyes. 

Then, something struck me hard.!^^

I found odong-odong. I thought that by-the-street kid's play like this one...was only to be found in Indonesia. I mean, Korea would never have this kind of 'thing' being displayed on the street. They'd prefer having them inside the air-conditioned malls, or something. 

But, I was wrong. Well, of course, this one was different. The one(s) we have back home are operated manually. I mean..someone pedals the machine to make it move! Meanwhile, this one is operated by inserting a 50 Won coin that would play for about 10 minutes.  

Enough said. then..I kept on walking for about 15-20 minutes until I found a fly over. The entrance to the Mountain Fortress was located just after we passed under the fly over. We'd surely find the entrance since it's obviously written. (sorry, no picture, though).  

Oh, one more thing that I'd better mention is the fact that the street leading to the main entrance to Namhansanseong is full of shops specializing in mountain climbing apparels. 

Eider, Kolon Sports, Columbia, etc. you name it you'd probably end up meeting them.

It was my first time of going there...so upon encountering these shops, I got more confident that I was going on the correct direction.

And lots of people (mostly in their 50s or up) wearing climbing outfits were visible along the way. This was also another boost to my confidence that I came to the right place.

(once again, this was my first time at Namhansanseon). 

I got off at 남한산성입구. Do not get off at 산성 (Sanseong) unless you want to go up the mountain by a bus that would transport us to the South main gate. But, that would mean you're already on top of the mountain. Then..it wouldn't be climbing up, instead it would be climbing down the mountain.

Well, any course will do.