Bugaksan[a] (
Korean: 북악산) is a mountain in the north of
Seoul, South Korea. It famously overlooks the former royal palace
Gyeongbokgung as well as the former presidential residence the
Blue House. It,
Inwangsan,
Naksan, and
Namsan are the mountains that surround the Seoul Basin.[2][3] The mountain has a bedrock of
granite,[3] and is about 342 meters (1,122 ft) high.[2]
The mountain has historically gone by a number of other names, including Baegaksan (백악산).
Names
Until the
Joseon period, the mountain went by a variety of names, including "Baegaksan", "Myeonaksan" (면악산; 面岳山), and "Gonggeuksan" (공극산; 拱極山). However, "Baegaksan" was the most popular name during the Joseon period.[2]
The name "Bugaksan", meaning "north mountain",[4] became popular just after the
Japanese colonial period. Some government offices have made efforts to return to using the "Baegaksan" name, in order to strengthen modern South Korea's ties to the pre-Japanese past.[2]
Description
The mountain is part of a range of mountains connected to the south of
Bukhansan, the highest mountain in Seoul.[2]
There are 208 species of plants on the mountain, including 81 species of trees.[2]
The
Cheonggyecheon stream that flows through Seoul originates from the mountain. In November 2005, the
Jongno District government investigated the source of the river, and found that it was a mineral water spring about 150 metres (490 ft) from a statue of police officer
Choi Gyu-sik [
ko].[2]
History
Beginning in the Joseon period, the mountain was a popular spot for the aristocracy to construct villas.[2]
After the
Blue House Raid of January 21, 1968, in which North Korean operatives attempted to assassinate the South Korean president, access to the mountain became heavily restricted. These restrictions began to be lifted on April 1, 2006, when
Sukjeongmun was reopened for public access. Beginning on November 1, 2020, a section north of the Blue House was opened to the public. It is now possible to hike from the mountain
Ansan, Inwangsan, Bugaksan, and Bukhansan without interruption.[2] There is a number of guided walking courses over the mountain, including one that walks along the
Fortress Wall of Seoul.[5][1]