Overview
Bukaksan is the highest among the four mountains surrounding the Seoul Basin—Bukaksan (Nam Mountain, Naksan Mountain), and Inwang Mountain—and is the highest peak among the southern ridges of Bukhansan. The old Seoul fortress that connected these ridges was constructed with Bugaksan as the starting point. The old fortress walls have been preserved along the ridge, and Changuimun, also known as Jahamun, one of the Sasomun gates, is located between the western foothills and Inwangsan, making it easily connected to the city center. The Bukak Skyway, which runs from Changuimun to Arirang Pass in Jeongneung, is a tourist road connecting Changuimun, the octagonal pavilion, and the swimming pool, offering a scenic spot with a panoramic view of the lush forest and downtown Seoul. It is also connected to the Blue House and Samcheong Park. Bugaksan has long been a scenic area with dense pine trees, and during the Joseon Dynasty, scholars often held gatherings in the valley. However, pine trees disappeared due to logging, and now many oaks remain. During the reign of King Sukjong of Goryeo, the area below Bugaksan was the site of the palace of Nangyeong, the southern capital, and was called Myeonak at the time. Later, during the Joseon Dynasty, there was a shrine dedicated to the Baegaksan deity, so Bukaksan was also called Baegaksan. The name Bugaksan comes from its location in the northern part of the mountains surrounding the capital city of Hanyang. Bukaksan stands at 342 meters tall and forms a gentle plain to the south, with a triangular, pointed shape that stands out compared to its surroundings. After the founding of Joseon, it was praised as a sacred mountain inherited by the royal family by Master Muhak, and beneath it, the Joseon dynasty's palace was built and designated as the capital. In 1394 (the 4th year of King Taejo's reign), Gyeongbokgung Palace was built at the foot of Bugaksan Mountain, and in South Korea, the presidential office Gyeongmudae (景武臺) was also located here.