[One Day Walk] Namhansanseong Dulle-gil Course 1, Filled with Injo's Resentment

A 3.8km Course Starting at Sanseong Rotary and Returning to Suojeongdae

The Namhansanseong Dulle-gil is a trail that allows you to walk around Namhansanseong, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Namhansanseong has well-preserved fortress walls stretching a total of 12.4 km. As you walk along and observe, you can discover that the types of stones and the way the fortress walls were built vary. This is because Namhansanseong was gradually expanded based on the Jujangseong fortress built during the Unified Silla period, according to historical records.

Namhansanseong took its current form during the Joseon Dynasty. In the 4th year of King Injo’s reign, the central main fortress was completed, and after the Byeongjahoran (the Second Manchu invasion), several expansions were made to enhance defense, including the Bongamseong and Hanbongseong fortresses on the east side. The fortress city was built in a location relatively easy to access from Seoul so that the dynasty could evacuate along with the people. In fact, when the Qing invaded in the 14th year of King Injo’s reign, the king fled here and resisted. However, this resistance ended with the humiliating surrender at Samjeondo when Injo left Namhansanseong. This history is also embedded throughout the Namhansanseong Dulle-gil.

The first course starts at Sanseong Rotary. From here, after climbing about 400 meters, you will reach the North Gate of Namhansanseong. Starting from the North Gate, also called 'Jeonseungmun,' the trail follows the fortress walls of Namhansanseong. Following this path leads to the West Gate, located in the northeast of the fortress, known as 'Uikmun.' It was called Uikmun because, with the royal palace at the center, the king faced south to oversee state affairs, making the West Gate the right side. The East Gate is on the left side and is called 'Jaikmun.' The West Gate is close to Gwangnaru and Songpanaru. It is said that King Injo passed through this gate when he went out to surrender at Samjeondo to the Qing.

After passing the West Gate and continuing to walk, you can see the 'Sueojangdae.' A jangdae is a pavilion used for military command and observation. Among the five jangdae that were in Namhansanseong, only Sueojangdae remains. Sueojangdae bears a plaque called 'Mumangnu.' Mumangnu was named by King Yeongjo to remind people not to forget the humiliation of King Injo during the Byeongjahoran and the resentment of King Hyojong, who was held hostage in Qing Shenyang for eight years and later sought to launch a northern expedition.

From Sueojangdae heading toward the South Gate, you will find Yeongchunjeong in the middle. It is an octagonal pavilion. Yeongchunjeong means a pavilion welcoming spring. Passing here, continue down toward the South Gate. The South Gate is the gate King Injo passed through when he fled to the fortress during the Byeongjahoran. From the 3rd year of King Jeongjo’s reign, after the fortress walls were rebuilt, it was called 'Jihwamun.' Returning to Sanseong Rotary from the South Gate completes the first course of the Namhansanseong Dulle-gil.