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Inwangsan

About an hour's walk up along the old city wall gives you a sweeping view of Gyeongbokgung and downtown Seoul — the city's favorite short hike, especially at sunset.

In Korean인왕산“Inwangsan”

Where
Jongno-gu and Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Best season
Spring, Autumn
Best time
Sunset and after dark

#city wall#night view#easy hike

💡 Good to know
  • It is mostly stairs, but short — fine for beginners.
  • If you stay for the night view, bring a light for the way down.
  • Start from Seochon or near the Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum to combine it with a neighborhood stroll.
📷 Photo tips
  • Near the summit rocks you can fit Gyeongbokgung, Gwanghwamun and N Seoul Tower in one frame.
  • Just after sunset, the lit fortress wall and city lights glow against a deep blue sky.

Inwangsan (338 m) is the rocky mountain just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. The Seoul City Wall (Hanyangdoseong), which once enclosed the Joseon capital, runs along its ridge, and you climb to the top on stairs beside the wall. It is not high, but sitting right in the middle of the city it has one of the best views in Seoul — which is why young Seoulites hike it after work or on a weekend afternoon.

Highlights

  • Summit view — the palace, the towers of Gwanghwamun, N Seoul Tower and Bukhansan all at once.
  • City wall trail — walk the boundary of the 600-year-old capital.
  • Suseong-dong Valley — a small valley on the Seochon side, painted by the Joseon artist Jeong Seon.

Good to know

The rocks are slippery after rain. A popular plan: hike up for sunset, then come down into Seochon for dinner.

Find it on a Korean map app — search 인왕산:Naver Map ↗KakaoMap ↗

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