Namsan Park

It was the perfect day to go up the mountain. The sky was a lovely shade of blue rarely seen in Manila (because of the smog). Even the most boring buildings looked beautiful and the more interesting ones more so.

We took the Circular Bus from Chungmuro metro station, sat back and enjoyed the view. The uphill walk can tire out the less physically active, but it would be embarrassing to give up so quickly in full view of the elderly Koreans who have been climbing up from the bottom of the mountain.

Namsan Park, located in the center of the city, is 265 meters above sea level and takes up a space of 2.9 square kilometers. The mountain later became an important site where a national shrine was built and ceremonies took place to pray for the nation's peace and prosperity. Historic relics like fortress remnants and signal-fire facilities (to alert of enemy intrustions), once located on the mountain but destroyed through wars, were rebuilt in 1993.

the costumed guards are ready for your cameras

Mongmyeoksan Beacon Hill Site


Tomorrow, the view up here: