Bukhansan (Korean: 북한산, lit. 'North Han Mountain'), or Bukhan Mountain, is a mountain on the northern periphery of Seoul, South Korea. There are three major peaks, Baegundae 836.5 meters (2,744 ft), Insubong 810.5 meters (2,659 ft), Mangyeongdae 787.0 meters (2,582.0 ft).[1] Because of its height and the fact that it borders a considerable portion of the city, Bukhansan is a major landmark visible from most city districts. The name "Bukhansan" means "mountain north of Han River", referring to the fact that it is the northern border of the city.[2] During the Joseon era, the peaks marked the extreme northern boundary of Seoul.
Bukhansan | |
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![]() The three peaks of Bukhansan
![]() ![]() Bukhansan Location | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 836.5 m (2,744 ft)[1] |
Coordinates | 37.6608°N 126.9933°E / 37.6608; 126.9933 |
Geography | |
Location | South Korea |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | from Bukhansan Ui Station(북한산우이) then walk 2.29km to Bukansan National Park Visitor Center(북한산국립공원백운탐방지원센터) |
Korean name | |
Hangul | |
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Hanja | |
Revised Romanization | Bukhansan |
McCune–Reischauer | Puk'ansan |
Bukhansan is the highest mountain within Seoul city boundaries. Apart from Bukhansan, there are seven other mountains including Dobongsan and Suraksan that are over 600 meters high within the city.[3]
Popular throughout the year, Bukhansan, and Bukhansan National Park, which was formed in 1983,[4] are renowned for birdwatching, hiking and rockclimbing. Bukhansan attracts a large number of hikers; around 5 million per year.
Since 2002 there has been a movement to revert the name of Bukhansan to Samgaksan. For many years up until now, the three main peaks of the park have collectively been called "Bukhansan"; however, the original collective name of these three peaks was Samgaksan, meaning "three-horned mountain." The head of the Gangbuk-gu District Office in Seoul is leading a petition to have the central government change the name back to the original.[5]
Daum webtoon manhwa PEAK by author Hong Sun-soo and artist Im Gak-hyuck is a fictional work based on the mountain rescue team working in this mountain.[6]