[Harumanbo] Let's Walk the 'Gukwang's Road'... Namhansanseong Dulle-gil Course 2

Passing through Namhansanseong Haenggung to Sungnyeoljeon
Touring Seomun and Suojeongdae and returning, 2.9 km

Course 2 of the Namhansanseong Dulle-gil Trail starts at Sanseong Rotary and heads toward Namhansanseong Haenggung, passing through the West Gate and Suwojangdae before returning to the starting point. It is one of the historical theme trails of Namhansanseong and was recently named "The King's Road" because the Namhansanseong Haenggung, the royal palace used by Joseon kings, is located at the beginning of the trail.

The Haenggung is a temporary residence where the king stays when he leaves the palace in Seoul and travels outside the city walls. Namhansanseong Haenggung was built in the 4th year of King Injo's reign to serve as a refuge replacing the palaces in Hanyang during wartime until reinforcements arrived. When the Byeongjahoran War broke out ten years later, King Injo fled here. Later kings such as Sukjong, Yeongjo, Jeongjo, Cheoljong, and Gojong also stayed here during their royal processions to places like Yeoju and Icheon.

Along this trail, you can find well-maintained pine forests. After passing the Haenggung and reaching Yeongwoljeong Pavilion, tall pine trees form a dense forest around the area. Yeongwoljeong is known as a moon-viewing spot within Namhansanseong. Although it is on the King's Road, it has no direct connection to the king. It was first built in 1957 by the Governor of Gyeonggi Province at a midpoint on the way up to Seojangdae and was recently restored.

Walking a bit further, you will come across Sungnyeoljeon Shrine. It is a shrine dedicated to Onjo, the founder of Baekje, and General Iseo, who was responsible for building the fortress. It is unusual to have a shrine honoring a Baekje king and a Joseon official together. There is a legend associated with this place. During the resistance at Namhansanseong, King Injo dreamed that Onjo appeared and warned him that Qing soldiers were climbing the northern fortress walls. Upon investigation, they found Qing soldiers secretly scaling the walls and repelled them. After the Byeongjahoran War ended, Injo built this shrine at Namhansanseong to hold memorial rites. Later, Onjo appeared again in a dream, saying he felt lonely alone. At that time, news arrived that Iseo, who had contributed to building Namhansanseong, had died, so they began to hold memorial rites together.

Passing Sungnyeoljeon and heading toward the Uigmun Gate, you will find Gukcheongsa Temple. It was established in the 2nd year of King Injo's reign by Gakseong, who mobilized righteous armies from all provinces to build Namhansanseong and prepare for foreign invasions. The temple was created to store weapons, gunpowder, and military provisions. Later, it was also used as an armory for the righteous armies during the late Joseon period. However, after the Eulsa Treaty in 1905, its secrets were leaked, and it was destroyed by the Japanese. Walking further from Gukcheongsa, you will reach Uigmun, the West Gate of Namhansanseong. From here to Suwojangdae, you can walk along the fortress walls. Descending from Suwojangdae toward Haenggung completes Course 2, returning to Sanseong Rotary.