Established in the year 1983, Bukhansan National Park occupies an area of 79 square kilometres. This stunning park consists of granite peaks and thickly forested areas, making it a favourite among hikers and other Seoul residents with a love of nature. The park has been named ‘Bukhansan’ to mean the mountains north of Han River. A very reputed monument within the park is the Bukhansanseong Fortress. This is a defensive wall built in 132 AD to protect Seoul from invasions. During the Korean War it sustained damages and was reconstructed to its current size in 1711.
The park is divided into two areas by the mountains that surround it. The Uiryeong pass in the middle, Bukhansan Mountain on the south and the Dohongsan to the north. Completely surrounded by urban areas, the national park takes the shape of an ecological island. Accessible from anywhere in the metropolitan area owing to the well-developed road system, this attraction is a popular recreational area among the 20 million residents of the city.
The area receives around five million visitors each year and has been recorded on the Guinness Book of World Records as the most visited national park. However this has negatively affected the eco system. Strict regulations have been established to protect the environment and its visitors especially during mountain fires and from common accidents on narrow trails. With its crystal clear springs, 1300 species of flora and fauna and with more than 100 Buddhist temples and monk cells, it is a fascinating nature reserve to visit while in the city of Seoul.
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Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry.