Seoul offers free guided tour of Joseon-era city wall under autumn moonlight
- 5 years ago
Time now for our "Life & Info" segment where we focus on information useful for your everyday life, especially if you are watching us in South Korea.
The Seoul City Government is offering free guided tours around the old streets and neighborhoods along the stone wall that once protected the capital city from outside invaders.
With the temperatures steadily dropping as we head further into autumn... it's a great way to spend a cool evening with family or friends... all while giving your legs a stretch and finding out more about Seoul's past.
Won Jung-hwan reports.
Some 30 people wait patiently for the start of a free guided tour of the Seoul's ancient wall,… also known as Hanyang Doseong.
With specially chosen heritage experts,… the tour takes participants under the autumn moonlight down old roads and through villages along the stone wall which was built back in the Joseon Dynasty.
"The walk could be a bit steep but those on the tour will be able to learn the history of massive stone wall that once encircled the capital city"
As visitors walk along the wall,… they get a chance to listen to how the wall, with an average height of seven meters, protected Seoul from 1396 to 1910.
While some parts of the fortifications were destroyed during Japan's colonial rule and the Korean War,… visitors can still feel the wall's grandness.
Following the ridges of Bugaksan , Naksan , Namsan and Inwangsan ,... the four main mountains surrounding the center of Seoul, the trails from the Joseon era provide a different view of the city.
"I really enjoyed hearing stories from residents living near Hanyang Doseong. The tour program wasn't only about the history of the wall,… but it also told us how the people in the area are now living together with the ancient wall."
"I've been here couple of times, but since I live in Incheon,… it was always hard for me to come during the night. But through such an organized tour program, I was able to not only trek at night, but also learn about the history."
There are two more free tours offered by Seoul this year,… taking place in the evenings of October 15th and 17th.
Only 35 adults can take each tour and spots are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You can apply via the city's reservation website from 10:00AM on October 7th.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.
The Seoul City Government is offering free guided tours around the old streets and neighborhoods along the stone wall that once protected the capital city from outside invaders.
With the temperatures steadily dropping as we head further into autumn... it's a great way to spend a cool evening with family or friends... all while giving your legs a stretch and finding out more about Seoul's past.
Won Jung-hwan reports.
Some 30 people wait patiently for the start of a free guided tour of the Seoul's ancient wall,… also known as Hanyang Doseong.
With specially chosen heritage experts,… the tour takes participants under the autumn moonlight down old roads and through villages along the stone wall which was built back in the Joseon Dynasty.
"The walk could be a bit steep but those on the tour will be able to learn the history of massive stone wall that once encircled the capital city"
As visitors walk along the wall,… they get a chance to listen to how the wall, with an average height of seven meters, protected Seoul from 1396 to 1910.
While some parts of the fortifications were destroyed during Japan's colonial rule and the Korean War,… visitors can still feel the wall's grandness.
Following the ridges of Bugaksan , Naksan , Namsan and Inwangsan ,... the four main mountains surrounding the center of Seoul, the trails from the Joseon era provide a different view of the city.
"I really enjoyed hearing stories from residents living near Hanyang Doseong. The tour program wasn't only about the history of the wall,… but it also told us how the people in the area are now living together with the ancient wall."
"I've been here couple of times, but since I live in Incheon,… it was always hard for me to come during the night. But through such an organized tour program, I was able to not only trek at night, but also learn about the history."
There are two more free tours offered by Seoul this year,… taking place in the evenings of October 15th and 17th.
Only 35 adults can take each tour and spots are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You can apply via the city's reservation website from 10:00AM on October 7th.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.