Seoul｜A City Wall with 600 Years of Memories - Dongdaemun Fortress Road and Heunginjimun Gate.

Dongdaemun, also known as Heunginjimun, is the only gate among the four major and four minor gates of Hanyang with four characters in its name. It was believed that the name Heunginjimun was too weak in terms of feng shui, so four characters were needed to bolster its aura. The gate was built during the reign of King Taejo and was the eastern gate of Hanyang. It was renovated during the reigns of King Danjong and King Gojong, becoming a double-sided gate tower with five rooms on the front and two on the sides. To protect the gate, a crescent-shaped walled town was built around it, making it the only gate among the eight gates of Seoul with such a design.
Today, Dongdaemun is a bustling commercial area. To truly appreciate its beauty, one must climb up to the Fortress Park. This wall, which has guarded Hanyang for 600 years, has now become a park. Following the camel-like Naksan, you can walk all the way to Ihwa Mural Village and the top of Naksan. This area is also a favorite filming location for Korean dramas, such as Rooftop Prince and Brilliant Legacy.
The fortress wall stands 5-8 meters high. The hidden doors and tunnels of the old defense works reveal the changes in faith and residential areas over time. It's like a portal to 600 years ago, and it's a popular hiking route for Seoul residents. If you visit Dongdaemun, don't forget to come here and have a date with history.
By the way, although it's called Dongdaemun Fortress Road, it has been administratively incorporated into Jongno-gu during urban redevelopment.

Post by 旅行中的野馬 | Mar 1, 2025