*This content was translated by AI.
As the trend of K-Hallyu spreads, travelers from around the world are increasingly visiting various parts of Korea, and "K-travel" is emerging as a new trend. StarNews introduces travel destinations where visitors can fully experience Korea’s unique charm and beauty without large crowds. Travelers can gain their own Korean-style charms and memories.
[K-TRAVEL⑨] Seoul Ansan
With cool breezes blowing in the mornings and evenings these days, more people are enjoying light walks to soothe their bodies and minds tired from the summer heat. People who have grown weary of air-conditioned winds are seeking out mountains and rivers to breathe in natural air. However, the passing summer season does not easily allow for high-intensity outdoor activities or hiking.
In this regard, Seoul Ansan is attractive because it offers three types of travel experiences: walking while enjoying natural breezes, light hiking to reach the mountain summit, and sightseeing that combines walking, hiking, and panoramic views of both the Seoul cityscape and nature.
Ansan (295.5m) in Seodaemun District is not particularly high; it rises gently on the western side of central Seoul, connected to Inwangsan Mountain (339m). The first charm point of Ansan is the Ansan Trail, a winding walking path that encircles the mountain. Stretching 7km in length, the trail is far from short. Along the way, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of tree species including pine, fir, acacia, metasequoia, and spruce while deeply inhaling phytoncides. It typically takes adults about two hours and thirty minutes to complete one full loop around the Ansan Trail.
The Ansan Trail does not lead directly to the mountain summit but instead winds around the midsection or lower part of the mountain, making it advisable to climb from relatively gentle slopes starting from flat ground. Approaching from the east side of the trail—such as from Independence Gate Station or Muka-jae Station on the subway—results in a relatively steep incline. In contrast, climbing from the west side near Yeonhui-dong offers a more gradual slope. Specifically, one can reach the forest stage along the trail by ascending from Yeonbuk Middle School in Yeonhui-dong, and starting from Bongwon Temple is also quite manageable. Notably, village buses operate up to Bongwon Temple. Signage is well-installed at every fork along the trail.
Walking along the trail reveals various viewpoints, pavilions like Neung-anjeong, rest areas, moss forests teeming with diverse mosses, insect villages, red clay paths, and spring water stations—each offering unique experiences that enhance the joy of walking. Most importantly, strolling beneath the varied tree cover, past large and small natural rocks, and alongside flowing streams makes one feel as though they are deep in a mountainous region of Gangwon-do, despite being within central Seoul. The section of the trail passing through the metasequoia forest alone spans hundreds of meters, with trees densely packed and reaching dozens of meters into the sky, making visitors feel like nature lovers immersed in a remote forest during this time.
The west and south sections of the trail in Yeonhui-dong feature healthy forests formed since the 1990s, including birch, mountain cherry, ash, and pine trees. The northeastern rocky areas are mainly populated with large and small pines, while the central ridge area is dominated by chestnut, oak, and alder trees. The southeastern section hosts a large grove of acacia trees. To the northwest, a vast metasequoia forest has been established.
The Ansan Trail consists mainly of natural dirt paths or wooden deck trails spanning 7km. Notably, there is not a single step of stairs along the entire route, reflecting careful planning to ensure an accessible walking path. On sloped sections, decks extend in zigzag patterns or form long uphill and downhill stretches, each with its own character. However, the path from Neung-anjeong on the southern side toward Cheonmyeong-dong features a long downhill deck spanning 1km, which may feel somewhat strenuous if travelers choose to take this route in reverse.
The trail allows access to the summit of Ansan Mountain from multiple points. Starting from the section near Bongwon Temple and climbing approximately 30 minutes along relatively steep rock steps leads to the summit at Bongsu-dae. Large and small rocks line the ascent, confirming that Ansan is indeed a rocky mountain. One side features steep rock cliffs, making it suitable as a route for rock climbing. A viewpoint has also been constructed midway up, offering a different perspective of Seoul’s scenery from its unique height.
At the summit, the Bongsu-dae watchtower has been fully restored and now serves as a modern scenic spot for viewing Seoul. Historically used as a communication system to signal urgent situations through smoke or fire, it now welcomes contemporary visitors with panoramic views. Skyscrapers in central Seoul and Namsan Seoul Tower appear almost within reach, while Lotte World Tower, the Han River, 63 Square Building, and rows of high-rise buildings in Gangnam stretch out like a panorama. On one side, the green ridges and white rocks of neighboring Inwangsan Mountain and Bukhansan seem to stand guard over Ansan, always present in their positions. Especially at the point where the trail connects to Muka-jae Station on the east side, an 80-meter-long, 22-meter-high arched bridge known as Muka-jae Sky Bridge links Ansan with Inwangsan Mountain. This bridge reconnects Ansan and Inwangsan, which were previously separated by roads, allowing visitors to cross into a loop trail around Inwangsan Mountain that leads to Muka Park, Susung-dong Valley, and Changdeokgung Palace Gate.
Adding the panoramic view from the summit further enhances the charm of the Ansan Trail. If visitors also explore various attractions located in different directions around Ansan while descending the trail, the overall appeal will multiply many times over.
First, Bongwon Temple is the head temple of the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism and is said to have been originally built during the Silla Dynasty, making it a thousand-year-old temple. Visitors can appreciate various temple buildings such as the Daeungjeon Hall, Mireukjeon Hall, Chilseonggak Pavilion, and Geunakjeon Hall while inhaling their fragrant scents, gaining valuable experiences in observing and learning about Korean temples. Large lotus flowers are cultivated throughout the temple grounds, and a lotus festival is held during summer. A single sip of water from the spring water station here can help cool off the summer heat. Ascending the path beside Geunakjeon Hall leads to the Ansan Trail and eventually to the entrance of Bongsu-dae Watchtower.
Hongje Waterfall in Yeonhui-dong, which has recently become a hot spot even among foreigners, is also worth visiting. With a height of 25 meters and a width of 60 meters, its broad expanse and multiple cascades evoke the image of a waterfall plunging from a valley deep within a mountain. Visitors can sit on nearby benches at any time to enjoy the waterfall view—a popular activity known as "water gazing"—or enter cafes or libraries to admire the falls from inside. From Hongje Waterfall, one can ascend to Yeonhui Forest Rest Area and connect with the Ansan Trail.
Near Independence Gate Station stands the Seodaemun Prison History Museum, a large building featuring an impressive red brick wall. It serves as an educational site honoring the spirits of patriotic martyrs who were imprisoned and died resisting Japanese colonial rule during Japan’s occupation of Korea, while also awakening future generations to the spirit of independence. For this reason, photos of patriotic figures such as Yoo Gwan-soon are displayed along sections of the Ansan Trail close to the museum. Understanding Korea’s painful history may help foreigners deepen their understanding of the country.
Walking across from the museum leads to Yeongcheon Market, a traditional market boasting long-standing tradition and history. With over 100 shops and a notably long market street, it offers everything from rice cakes and sweets to seafood. While preserving the authentic appearance of a traditional market, it has gained popularity among younger generations through word-of-mouth on social media for its unique foods such as twisted dough sticks (kkwabaegi), tteokbokki, and fried snacks. Visitors can witness daily life in Korea reflected in this traditional marketplace.
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*This content was translated by AI.
