Namhansanseong Fortress
Namhansanseong Fortress
4.5
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4.5
34 reviews
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kpiddy
Brisbane, Australia12,256 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We were looking for a hike that was easy to reach reach from Seoul and maybe less known by non-Koreans like us, Namhansanseong Fortress ticked the boxes.
From Seoul, we caught the metro out to Namhansanseong Station and walked up Sanseong-Daero and across the road to the Namhansanseong Amusement Park, this took us roughly twenty five minutes, it was another thirty minutes uphill along a mostly sealed path before we reached the South Gate, some sections of the path are challenging. It was pure delight and relief to finally arrive and see the stunning fortress wall and find a place to sit in the cool shade of the entrance gate. The path up was well used by what appeared to be locals performing their daily exercise; Koreans of all ages!
We stopped for a picnic lunch before setting off from the South Gate following the walls to the East Gate, the views over the walls were delightful. At the East Gate we turned left and walked beside the road passed the Gyeonggido Namhansanseong World Heritage Centre to the roundabout and back to the South Gate. All up this route took us one hour and twenty minutes. The day was unseasonally warm and we ran out of water. The hike back down to the Namhansanseong Station was only marginally quicker, roughly forty five minutes.
Please note to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, use sun protection, and bring food and enough water. The fortress wall path can be rough and there were many stairs of various heights to manoeuvre, the path requires a reasonable level of fitness, it was a little challenging but very rewarding.
From Seoul, we caught the metro out to Namhansanseong Station and walked up Sanseong-Daero and across the road to the Namhansanseong Amusement Park, this took us roughly twenty five minutes, it was another thirty minutes uphill along a mostly sealed path before we reached the South Gate, some sections of the path are challenging. It was pure delight and relief to finally arrive and see the stunning fortress wall and find a place to sit in the cool shade of the entrance gate. The path up was well used by what appeared to be locals performing their daily exercise; Koreans of all ages!
We stopped for a picnic lunch before setting off from the South Gate following the walls to the East Gate, the views over the walls were delightful. At the East Gate we turned left and walked beside the road passed the Gyeonggido Namhansanseong World Heritage Centre to the roundabout and back to the South Gate. All up this route took us one hour and twenty minutes. The day was unseasonally warm and we ran out of water. The hike back down to the Namhansanseong Station was only marginally quicker, roughly forty five minutes.
Please note to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, use sun protection, and bring food and enough water. The fortress wall path can be rough and there were many stairs of various heights to manoeuvre, the path requires a reasonable level of fitness, it was a little challenging but very rewarding.
Written 16 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian J
Philadelphia, PA11 contributions
Jun 2022
Our tour guide suggested this as an alternative to the more well known Suwon Fortress. Very glad we listened to his advice. The history, views, and scenery are all incredible. It’s a more intensive hike than at Suwon Fortress but well worth the effort. There are several restaurants near the trail head and parking lot if you want to stop for lunch.
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CanisHan
Seoul, South Korea23,851 contributions
Nov 2020
C ( 20.11.18 )
The Fortress was one of historical place, and good road to around Namhansan. The road was very good place to walk with good view and air. The inside of fortress was developed with many facilities and famous restaurant. It was very good walk around this fortress.
The Fortress was one of historical place, and good road to around Namhansan. The road was very good place to walk with good view and air. The inside of fortress was developed with many facilities and famous restaurant. It was very good walk around this fortress.
Written 18 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siva Mallya
Bengaluru, India41 contributions
Nov 2019
An excellent destination for those who wish to explore the historical monuments around Seoul city.
We reached the location taking a taxi from our hotel in Pangyo. Taxi dropped us at the visitor center. It was great relief to find an officer there who could speak fluent English language, who was extremely helpful in walking us through the entire map of the area and suggesting us the best trail. There was a map of the area in English as well.
We took the trail that led to North Gate. From there to West Gate - South Gate and back to Visitor center. It took about 2.5 hours for us to cover this on an easy walk. Views from Seoul city around West Gate is just awesome. Palace was another attraction. Entire area is well maintained.
I could also pursue my other hobby of Bird watching and photography. There are quite a lot of endemic birds that one could see during the walk.
Getting a taxi from this location is quite challenging and the wait could be very long. The officer at the visitor center had suggested us to take bus from the location to Sanseong metro station and then take metro to reach hotel. This turned out to be a good option. Language being a challenge, we decided to take a cab from Sanseong metro station to hotel.
One must tender exact cash as bus charges. Bus drivers do not carry change for refund. It was 1500 KRWs per person for travel from Namhansanseong to Sanseong Metro station.
One must carry sufficient water and simple snack like biscuits before entering thee trail. We could not find any place on the trail for these. There are good number of restrooms and there is no matter of concern from this perspective.
We reached the location taking a taxi from our hotel in Pangyo. Taxi dropped us at the visitor center. It was great relief to find an officer there who could speak fluent English language, who was extremely helpful in walking us through the entire map of the area and suggesting us the best trail. There was a map of the area in English as well.
We took the trail that led to North Gate. From there to West Gate - South Gate and back to Visitor center. It took about 2.5 hours for us to cover this on an easy walk. Views from Seoul city around West Gate is just awesome. Palace was another attraction. Entire area is well maintained.
I could also pursue my other hobby of Bird watching and photography. There are quite a lot of endemic birds that one could see during the walk.
Getting a taxi from this location is quite challenging and the wait could be very long. The officer at the visitor center had suggested us to take bus from the location to Sanseong metro station and then take metro to reach hotel. This turned out to be a good option. Language being a challenge, we decided to take a cab from Sanseong metro station to hotel.
One must tender exact cash as bus charges. Bus drivers do not carry change for refund. It was 1500 KRWs per person for travel from Namhansanseong to Sanseong Metro station.
One must carry sufficient water and simple snack like biscuits before entering thee trail. We could not find any place on the trail for these. There are good number of restrooms and there is no matter of concern from this perspective.
Written 23 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr C
3,957 contributions
Aug 2019
The World Heritage listed Namhansanseong fortress can be reached from Seoul in about an hour. Catch the metro to Sanseong, then the bus to the fortres. Set in the hills the fortress is a great place for hiking. The walls are about 12km long. The fort has several gates, crennulations and watch towers. A good half day out.
Written 15 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
insideaway
Singapore, Singapore114 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
It’s a little out of the way from Seoul, but totally worth the visit. Easy to get to as directions are quite clear, and in doubt you can follow the many elderly folk going there too. It gives you a different feel from the bustle of the city, and the air is cool and crisp. Lovely trip.
At the base of the fortress there are also many restaurants and cafes which offer good food at affordable prices. Well worth a visit to do something different if you’re going to stay in Seoul.
At the base of the fortress there are also many restaurants and cafes which offer good food at affordable prices. Well worth a visit to do something different if you’re going to stay in Seoul.
Written 2 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iche
QC246 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
One of my favorite hiking sites to date...
I'm loving hiking here in Korea, even summer time can make you feel happy...
Nice view feom the top and you'll get to see the city view, if air quality is favorable, you'll see lotte tower too...
It only took less than two hours to take the old walk way course.
Hike for free.
I'm loving hiking here in Korea, even summer time can make you feel happy...
Nice view feom the top and you'll get to see the city view, if air quality is favorable, you'll see lotte tower too...
It only took less than two hours to take the old walk way course.
Hike for free.
Written 17 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthias W
Vienna, Austria534 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
I combined my trip to Namhansanseong with a visit to Hwaesong, starting out in Seoul. All is easily doable using public transport. Since it was quite a hot summer day, I enjoyed that most of the ways to get from place to place is in the shade, the walls and gates are really pretty. If you have seen the royal palaces in Seoul beforehand the (reconstructed) Palace inside the fortress might be a bit of a let down. Inside the fortress is a normal village, you also find plenty of food or drink options throughout the paths you can follow. Besides the fortress walls and gates you can also step into a couple of temples.
Written 2 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kwest109
Winnipeg, Manitoba50 contributions
May 2018 • Business
Very well maintained and marked attraction. Enjoyed seeing the various buildings and reading about them.
Written 15 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul E
Seoul, South Korea573 contributions
Mar 2018 • Friends
I finally went out to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site, and I'm so glad we went. It has easy and more challenging trails. We took a bus from Sanseong station to near the top of the mountain to have an easier time. We walked to the North Gate and then up the mountain just a little bit to the West Door.
We walked around just a little bit more before heading down. There were enough signs along the trail indicating where to go for what. Looking at the map was a little bit confusing, but the signs that pointed down each trail saying what was which way made it easy to figure out where we wanted to go.
Be sure to eat lunch somewhere near the North Gate! There are a bunch of restaurants and cafes. We had a nice coffee right near the fortress palace and then a really delicious lunch of smoked duck, bibimbap, potato pancakes, and bean paste stew.
We walked around just a little bit more before heading down. There were enough signs along the trail indicating where to go for what. Looking at the map was a little bit confusing, but the signs that pointed down each trail saying what was which way made it easy to figure out where we wanted to go.
Be sure to eat lunch somewhere near the North Gate! There are a bunch of restaurants and cafes. We had a nice coffee right near the fortress palace and then a really delicious lunch of smoked duck, bibimbap, potato pancakes, and bean paste stew.
Written 25 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Namhansanseong Fortress
- Hotels near Namhansanseong Fortress:
- (3.67 km) Wirye Militopia Hotel
- (7.87 km) Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences
- (7.75 km) Delight Hotel
- (11.02 km) GLAD Gangnam COEX Center
- (10.84 km) WALKERHILL Douglas House
- Restaurants near Namhansanseong Fortress:
- (0.19 km) Myeongin Mandoo - Namhansansug Branch
- (0.22 km) Pajeon Okay
- (8.07 km) Viking's Wharf Lotte World Mall
- (9.24 km) Fait Maison
- (11.37 km) Grand Kitchen
- Attractions near Namhansanseong Fortress:
- (0.41 km) Namhansanseong Provincial Park
- (0.44 km) Namhansansung History Museum
- (7.65 km) Korea Time Tour
- (14.02 km) Wiggle Wiggle Zip Dosan
- (14.79 km) Exclusive Tour Korea - Private Day Tours