[Harumanbo] Joseon Era Seungbyeong Walked... Namhansanseong Dulle-gil Course 4

3.8km Course Starting at Sanseong Rotary
and Touring Gaewonsa Temple

Course 4 of the Namhansanseong Dulle-gil Trail starts at Sanseong Rotary, passes Namjangdae Site and East Gate, and returns.

Starting the walk from Sanseong Rotary, you first head to Jihwamun, the South Gate. Namhansanseong has four main gates located to the east, west, south, and north. Among them, the South Gate is the largest and most magnificent gate of Namhansanseong and is the most frequently used entrance. It can be considered the main gate of Namhansanseong. During the Byeongjahoran (the Second Manchu invasion), King Injo passed through this gate when fleeing to the fortress. Since the 3rd year of King Jeongjo’s reign, when the fortress walls were rebuilt, it has been called 'Jihwamun.'

From the South Gate, proceed to the Namjangdae Site. A jangdae is a pavilion used for military command and observation. Among the five jangdae that existed in Namhansanseong, only Suwojangdae remains intact, while at this Namjangdae site, only the foundation stones remain.

Continuing past the Namjangdae Site, you will reach the East Gate located on the southeast side of the fortress. This gate is called 'Jwaikmun' (Left Wing Gate). Since the king would face south to oversee state affairs from the temporary palace, the East Gate was on the left side, hence the name Jwaikmun. The West Gate was on the right side and called Uikmun (Right Wing Gate). Jwaikmun, along with the South Gate Jihwamun, was one of the most frequently used gates. However, because it was situated in a low area, the gate was elevated from the ground with stairs, making it impossible to transport goods using horse-drawn carts.

On Course 4, you can also visit Jisudang, a pleasant place for a stroll. Built during the reign of King Hyeonjong of the Joseon Dynasty, it was a place where high-ranking officials enjoyed fishing. There is a pond in front of the building. Leaving Jisudang, you head toward Gaewonsa Temple. Gaewonsa was the 'head temple' commanding monks gathered from across the country and was a place where military equipment, gunpowder, and warrior monks assembled. Until the Gabo Reform, it prospered as a patriotic temple protecting the capital Hanyang and had a regulatory office overseeing the conduct of monks nationwide, serving as the de facto headquarters of Joseon Buddhism. Although the Tripitaka was stored there since King Injo’s time, the temple and its buildings were completely destroyed by fire in 1970.

After leaving Gaewonsa, returning to Sanseong Rotary completes Course 4.