A special mountain for Koreans for hundreds of years, the place where the largest park in Seoul was built, a date course with a beautiful night view, the energy of the 600-year-old castle stone and fortress and pine forest, where Seoul Tower stands tall with a 360-degree observation deck, a place for citizens to relax and admire the beauty of spring cherry blossoms and autumn foliage by taking a cable car.
© KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION – Lee bumsu
Access by subway
Line 3 and 4 Chungmuro Station
Line 4 Myeong-dong station
Information
Namsan, located within the city of Seoul and easily accessible even in the urban center, used to mark the southern boundary of Seoul over 600 years ago when the city was first designated as the capital. However, as Seoul expanded and grew, Namsan now finds itself situated at the center of the city.
In Korea’s national anthem, there are only two place names mentioned across its four verses: Baekdu Mountain and Namsan. Since Baekdu Mountain has been outside of Korea’s territory since the Goryeo Dynasty, during the time when the anthem was written, Namsan was the only place name in the national anthem that was within Korean territory. This likely signifies that Namsan was the closest mountain both psychologically and physically, and the first one to come to mind when thinking about Korea.
When looking south from Gyeongbokgung Palace, the king’s office, a prominent mountain stood directly in front. The first king of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo, referred to it as Namsan, meaning the “mountain in front.” However, Namsan was not the only thing that lay before the king. Another significant presence in front of him was the people. Therefore, Namsan came to be symbolically associated with the people, the citizens.
Efforts to keep Namsan and its iconic pine trees green have been ongoing for centuries. About 600 years ago, during the reigns of King Taejong and King Sejo, “3,000 men were mobilized to plant pine trees,” and a pine protection policy was implemented to safeguard the trees on Namsan. Government supervisors and mountain keepers were appointed to manage and protect the area.
Due to its symbolic importance, Namsan suffered devastation whenever the nation faced hardship. During the Japanese colonial period, Japan created a park at Jangchungdan, which was originally a Korean altar honoring loyal subjects, and planted thousands of cherry trees, a symbol of Japan. Japanese military police took over the training grounds for Korean soldiers (now home to Namsangol Hanok Village), and where the city walls once stood, Japan built a shrine to worship their deities (this area is now a pedestrian pathway for Seoul citizens). The devastation continued during the Korean War, and just before democracy took root, buildings symbolizing dictatorship were erected on Namsan.
Home to the largest park in Seoul, a popular date spot known for its beautiful night views, the energy of 600-year-old fortress stones and walls, a well-preserved pine forest, the Seoul Tower with its 360-degree observatory, and a cable car that offers breathtaking views of cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, Namsan in its current form stands as a true tourist destination.
Modern Koreans have gained confidence and pride through their self-achieved economic development and democracy. Building on this, they have worked to restore Namsan to its original state by demolishing and relocating over 100 structures that were remnants of imperialism and anti-democratic legacies. If you view Namsan as a historic site, we are confident that you will find great inspiration throughout its landscape.
Map (English & Korean)
Home page, Instagram
Major Facilities and Affiliated Parks
- Namsangol Hanok Village
- Namsan Cable Car
- Namsan Beacon Station
- A castle walk
- Namsan section of Seoul City Wall Sunseong-gil
- Jangchungdan Park
- Baekbeom Square
- Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Museum