Jongno-gu's 'Bukaksan Open Forest' and 'Inwang Forest Trail' Selected as Premium Forests (Forest Recreation Type)... A Rare Urban Spot in Jongno to Experience History, Culture, and Natural Heritage
Jongno-gu (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) proudly had Bukaksan and Inwangsan Mountains listed among the ‘Top 100 Premium Forests’ selected by the Korea Forest Service in celebration of the 50th anniversary of national land greening.
The Korea Forest Service previously identified 50 premium national forests from 2017 to 2022, and this year additionally selected 50 forests managed by individuals, corporations, and local governments, finalizing the list of 100 premium forests.
After on-site inspections of 914 locations found through a survey, first-round selection committee reviews, public voting (online), and final selection committee evaluations, a total of four sites in Seoul, including Jongno-gu’s Bukaksan and Inwangsan, were honored as distinguished mountains.
Jongno-gu’s ▲Bukaksan Open Forest and ▲Inwangjarak Forest Trail were designated as ‘forest recreation type forests’ this time. Bukaksan Open Forest is the heart of Korea’s history and culture and includes the Bukaksan and Cheongwadae areas, which were opened to the public for the first time in half a century. The total length of the trails is about 6.0 km, with each course taking approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
The Inwangjarak Forest Trail was previously restricted to the public due to police posts and military facilities stationed there for Cheongwadae security. It was only opened to the public nationwide in 2018 after 50 years. It is considered a representative Jongno attraction where visitors can experience a rare combination of history, culture, and natural heritage within the city.
Nearby are Suseongdong Valley, which served as the backdrop for Gyeomjae Jeong Seon’s painting Inwangjesaekdo, the hill and literary museum dedicated to poet Yun Dong-ju, as well as Sajikdan, Hwanghakjeong Pavilion, and Cheongun Park. The Inwangjarak Forest Trail is about 2.5 km long and takes around one hour to walk.
District Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “We have been able to promote Bukaksan and Inwangsan, Jongno’s representative attractions where people can enjoy rest and relaxation in the city, more widely. We will take the lead in cultivating healthy and pleasant forests through regular environmental patrols, maintenance around hiking trails, and expansion of leisure and resting spaces.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
