Namhansanseong Fortress Wall


It's been tough to go from living in the woods to the crowded city, and Seoul, supporting around 10 million inhabitants, is more crowded than most. Thankfully, near Seoul, outdoor opportunities abound.

But Koreans, particularly middle-aged and retired Koreans, are crazy for hiking and hiking apparel, which makes hiking in any season feel like an outdoor fashion frenzy.

We figured this weekend's sub-freezing temperatures would drive people away, but it was business as usual at Namhansanseong.

The trails were icy and treacherous, but that didn't rarefy the crowds.

Hikers were slipping, sliding, and spilling all over the place.

The paramedics were plucking hikers from the trails like gore-tex grapes.

One man, too preoccupied with staring at foreigners, tripped over his walking pole.

Another, mesmerized by the "Wey Gooks" cooking ramen, asked for a photo.

If your not Asian looking and have been in Korea for any amount of time, you've probably been stared down.

Just don't ask a Korean to “take a picture because it lasts longer,” he just might take you up on it.


Take Line 8 to Namhansanseong. You can take any bus to the park for 900 won, but the 2,000 won taxi ride is worth every penny.