Gwanaksan
| Gwanaksan | ||
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| height | 632 m | |
| location | South Korea | |
| Coordinates | 37 ° 26 '44 " N , 126 ° 57' 49" E | |
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| Korean spelling | |
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| Korean alphabet : | 관악산 |
| Hanja : | 冠 岳山 |
| Revised Romanization : | Gwanaksan |
| McCune-Reischauer : | Kwanaksan |
The Gwanaksan (Mount Gwanak) is a 632 meter high mountain on the southern outskirts of Seoul , capital of South Korea .
The mountain range extends from the southern suburbs of Seoul all the way into Gyeonggi-do Province . There is a radar station and several antenna systems on the rocky summit. The Wongaksa Temple and the Yeonjuam Hermitage are also located at Gwanaksan , which were built by King Taejo in the Joseon Dynasty during the transfer of the Korean capital to Seoul in 1394.
The Gwanaksan is shaped like a flame according to Feng Shui criteria. For this reason, symbols were used in several places during the construction of the capital to protect the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the city itself from the fires of Gwanaksan. Examples are the inscription in Chinese characters on the Namdaemun (south gate) and the fire- devouring lion-like mythical creature Haetae in the palace grounds itself.
The Gwanaksan is a popular and well-developed recreational area for the urban population of Seoul. Because of its beauty, it is often named Sogeumgang (small Geumgang Mountain) or Seogeumgang (Geumgang Mountain of the West) after what is generally believed to be the most beautiful mountain in Korea. Numerous hiking trails lead through the mountain range with its dense and old trees. The starting point for the excursions is usually the Seoul National University (SNU) at the foot of the mountain. The ascent of the summit takes about 4–5 hours. From Gwacheon , too, there are several interesting ways to climb that are not as crowded as those from Seoul.