Seoul, the bustling capital of South Korea, is a city of contrasts—ancient meets ultramodern, tranquil meets dynamic. Nestled within this urban chaos lies a hidden gem: the Seoul City Wall, a.k.a. Hanyangdoseong. Often dubbed a “mini Great Wall of China,” this 18-kilometer trail offers a journey through history, breathtaking landscapes, and unexpected quirks that perfectly embody the city’s character.
A Glimpse Into History
The Seoul City Wall dates back to the late 14th century during the early days of the Joseon Dynasty. Built to protect the city, the wall weaves through mountains, hugging the modern urban landscape while standing as a proud reminder of Seoul’s rich heritage. Originally over 18 kilometers long, the wall is dotted with eight gates, each a marvel of traditional Korean architecture. Today, visitors can explore the entire trail or focus on specific sections depending on their time and stamina.
Our Journey Begins
We started our hike from the city center, making our way west to the first gate. The painted gate that followed stole the show—its intricate designs and vivid colors made it the prettiest of them all. The best part? We had it all to ourselves, a rare luxury in a city that’s anything but quiet. For a fleeting moment, it felt like the Seoul of centuries past, untouched by time or tourists.
The trail gradually revealed its contrasting beauty: skyscrapers rising in the distance while ancient stones lined the path, lush greenery providing a serene canopy. Then came the steepest section, an observation point. With countless steps and ropes to hold onto, this stretch felt like a mini adventure. It was also the most crowded area, a hotspot for hikers seeking panoramic views of the city. But beyond this busy patch, the trail returned to its peaceful rhythm, and we often found ourselves alone, soaking in the interplay of history and modernity.
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Coffee, Gazebos, and… Charging Stations?
The Seoul City Wall trail offers more than just history and scenery; it’s also scattered with delightful surprises. Cozy coffee shops—often housed in renovated traditional buildings with glass walls and sunny terraces—invite you to pause and take in the views. We stumbled upon picturesque gazebos with Asian-inspired roofs, picnic spots, and even outdoor gym gear nestled among the trees.
Then there were the mysterious hoses. At first, they looked like charging stations, but for what? The trail isn’t accessible to cars or bikes. As it turns out, they weren’t for charging anything—they were public vacuum cleaners! We later watched as hikers meticulously vacuumed their clothes, shoes, and even their pockets. Apparently, no speck of dust should be allowed to mar those pristine trekking boots.
A Hike to Remember
Our day on the Seoul City Wall was both refreshing and amusing. The cultural contrasts stood out starkly: while we embraced the sun in running shoes, our Korean fellow hikers were a study in sun-proofing. Hats, gloves, masks, and sunglasses—they were fully armored against even the faintest UV ray. A tan, it seems, is not a badge of honor but a marker of outdoor labor—a stark contrast to the Western love for a golden glow. It makes sense, given that Korean skincare includes whitening products aimed at preserving that porcelain-perfect complexion.
End the Day in Seoul Style
After completing the trail, consider diving into Seoul’s quirky urban charms. Pop into a cat café for some therapeutic purring, or belt out your favorite tunes at a karaoke lounge (don’t forget the disco lights and tambourines). For a true taste of local obsession, visit the Pop Mart. Here, teenagers queue up for hours to buy mystery figurines with hilariously bizarre names like _Crying for Love_ or _Lazy Yoga_ . Each box holds a surprise character—equal parts adorable and absurd. It’s like collecting tiny, plastic metaphors for life.
So whether you’re scaling the steepest sections of Seoul Fortress Wall or vacuuming off every last speck of dust after, the city offers a mix of history, humour and heart at every turn. What better way to end a day than laughing at the little surprises that make this place so uniquely Seoul?
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
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A love therapy school in Seoul
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Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.