Naksan: Along the City Wall
Murals, a hilltop park and the 600-year-old wall down to the East Gate
≈1.5 km · ≈20 min walking · Hilly · Jongno-gu · Start: Hyehwa station · End: Dongdaemun station
From the student cafés of Daehak-ro climb the steep lanes of Ihwa village, reach the top of Naksan, one of the four hills the old city wall follows, and walk down beside the stones to the wall museum and Heunginjimun, the East Gate.
Stops
- Ihwa Mural Village (이화마을)
A hillside neighbourhood of small houses and steps, painted with murals in a 2006 public art project. People still live here: keep voices low and don't go into private yards. - Naksan Park (낙산공원)
A park on the ridge of Naksan, 125 m high, where the Seoul city wall (built from 1396) runs along the top. Views west over the old city towards Bugaksan and Namsan. - Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)
A free museum on the history of the 18.6 km city wall, at the foot of the walk beside Heunginjimun Gate. It shows how the stones were laid in different centuries.
Best time: Late afternoon, to see the sunset over the city from the wall at Naksan Park.
Tips
- Wear shoes with grip: the lanes and wall paths are steep.
- The museum closes on Mondays.
Access
Ihwa Mural Village is a maze of steep stairs, and the city wall path up to Naksan Park climbs steadily. Coming down towards Dongdaemun is easier.