Gwanaksan 632m

Why it is one of the 100 famous mountains

Selected as one of the Five Representative Peaks of Gyeonggi (Gyeonggi 5-Ak) since ancient times for its outstanding scenery, and designated as an Urban Natural Park in 1968 serving as a popular retreat close to downtown Seoul for metropolitan residents. The main peak is Yeonjudae, which hosts a weather radar facility at the summit. It is also famous for Yeonjuam Hermitage—founded by Monk Uisang during the Silla Dynasty and renovated by King Taejo of Joseon in 1392—and the Standing Bhaisajyaguru Buddha.

About Gwanaksan

Though historically the guardian mountain of old Gwacheon-hyeon, its front faces toward Seoul. Its fire-element topography reaches a dramatic climax, with flame-like ridges converging toward the summit as if scorching the sky. Viewed from Ttukseom at dusk, it looks truly ablaze, which is why the Haetae statue was placed in front of Gwanghwamun to prevent that fire energy from spreading to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

On the Gwacheon side, however, the branch ridges project an unruly, intensely rugged energy. Looking up steeply, it resembles a shaven head stung by bees. Yet the plain below is so narrow that it cannot be viewed comfortably from afar.

Because its rocky peaks are so striking, its valleys are comparatively unremarkable. Bedrock streams exist to the north and south, but with little water volume, failing to form waterfalls or deep pools. From the northern entrance at Seoul National University to Sillim-ro, bedrock is occasionally exposed along the winding valley, but early cultivation and urbanization have mostly erased its natural traces.

On the other hand, looking across the Hangang River to Namsan, Bohyeonbong Peak, and the distant, scenic three peaks of Samgaksan, it fully deserves its reputation as a celebrated mountain. On clear days, the West Sea is visible, making it truly a "mountain bordered by a great river and the sea."

Spanning Gwanak-gu and Geumcheon-gu in Seoul, as well as Gwacheon-si and Anyang-si in Gyeonggi-do, Gwanaksan is an easily accessible and popular mountain alongside Bukhansan and Dobongsan. Though relatively low in elevation and appearing entirely covered in rock from afar, caution is required due to hazardous rocky ridges along various hiking trails.

Since ancient times, Gwanaksan was regarded as a mountain of fire. When King Taejo of Joseon relocated the palace to the current site of Gyeongbokgung, Monk Muhak opposed it, warning that facing Gwanaksan would bring unending internal strife and foreign invasions due to its fiery energy. However, Jeong Do-jeon argued that the Hangang River cutting across to the south would block the fire energy, leading to the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Some feng shui interpretations attribute the later First and Second Strife of Princes during King Taejong's reign, King Sejo's usurpation of the throne, the Imjin War, the Byeongja Horan, and several fires at Gyeongbokgung to this influence. When Daewongun rebuilt Gyeongbokgung, he erected a stone statue of Haetae, an imaginary sea creature and god of water, in front of Gwanghwamun Gate to suppress Gwanaksan's fiery energy.

Yeonjudae on Gwanaksan is said to have gained its name, meaning "terrace yearning for the sovereign," when ten loyal retainers of the fallen Goryeo Dynasty hid at a temple on Gwanaksan and wept while looking toward the palace. After Yi Seong-gye restored Yeonjuam Hermitage, Grand Prince Yangnyeong and Grand Prince Hyoryeong, the two elder sons of King Taejong, entered Gwanaksan upon learning that their father intended to pass the throne to the third son, Grand Prince Chungnyeong (King Sejong). Gwanaksan was historically also called Samseongsan after three eminent Silla monks—Wonhyo, Uisang, and Yunpil—who built three hermitages (Ilmak, Imak, and Sammak) here to meditate and attain enlightenment. During the Imjin War, Ilmak and Imak were burned down, leaving only Sammaksa Temple.

Public transport

The subway is the most convenient. For the Seoul National University side, use Sillim Station or Bongcheon Station on Line 2; for Gwacheon, use Government Complex Gwacheon Station on Line 4; for Anyang, use Gwanak Station or Siheung Station on Line 1.

> Line 2 Sillim Station → Bus 5613, 6514

> Seoul National University Station → Bus 750