[One Day Walk] Honoring the Patriotism of Samhaksas... Namhansanseong Dulle-gil Course 3

Starting at Namhansanseong World Heritage Center
5.7km Course Up and Back at Beolbong Peak

Course 3 of the Namhansanseong Dulle-gil, a walking trail around the UNESCO World Heritage site Namhansanseong, is a hiking course that goes up and down Beolbong Peak.

The starting point is near Sanseong Rotary at the Gyeonggi-do Namhansanseong World Heritage Center. First, walk toward Hyeonjeolsa Shrine. Like other historical sites along the Namhansanseong Dulle-gil, Hyeonjeolsa carries a painful history. Hyeonjeolsa was built to honor the "Sam Haksa (Three Scholars)"?Hong Ik-han, Yun Jip, and Oh Dal-je?who were taken to Shenyang by the Qing Dynasty during the Byeongjahoran War after refusing to surrender until the end and were executed. The Qing Dynasty took Joseon ministers who insisted on continuing the war as hostages, and among those taken, the Sam Haksa were the ones who never yielded and faced death. Hyeonjeolsa was established in the 14th year of King Sukjong’s reign. It also enshrines Kim Sang-heon and Jeong On, leaders of the pro-war faction.

After visiting Hyeonjeolsa, the hiking trail continues to Beolbong Peak. Beolbong is part of Namhansanseong connected to Beolbong Am Gate. It is said to be named Beolbong because it resembles a bee. According to legend, during the Byeongjahoran War, Qing Taizong said that capturing Beolbong, which was believed to be imbued with spiritual energy, was essential to winning. In fact, after the Qing forces took Beolbong, the enemy could easily monitor movements inside the fortress, and the interior came within the range of their artillery. Beolbong stands at 515 meters above sea level, higher than Namhansanseong’s Suwojangdae at 497 meters.

From Beolbong, descend toward Janggyungsa Temple. Janggyungsa is a temple within Namhansanseong, built during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty when the fortress was constructed. Monks were recruited to assist in building the fortress, and this temple was one of the places where warrior monks trained and stayed. Course 3 continues to Mangwolsan Temple, which also oversaw the warrior monks of the fortress during the Byeongjahoran War. Mangwolsan has a painful history as it was completely destroyed by the Japanese in 1907 due to the large amounts of gunpowder and weapons stored there.

Leaving Mangwolsan, pass through the East Gate and return to the Gyeonggi-do Namhansanseong World Heritage Center to complete Course 3.