Mountain Climbing Time!

 

I had the opportunity one Sunday morning to go on a hike with my study away program up Mt. Inwangsan (인왕산). It is one of the mountains that is near Gyeongbokgung, the main palace in Seoul. It was a small group of us--6 of us including our guide--so it was a nice intimate hike. We started at the base as our guide told us about some of the history of the mountain and logistics.

Dice! I think these were a little too heavy to move. 

Crisp fall day. 

She's on the 50,000 won bill!

This is her son, who is on the 5,000 won bill. 

Our first stop on our way up the mountain was the Tangun shrine. Tangun is thought by many to be the father of all Korean people. 

Tangun. 

And up we went....

Old rooftops. 

Up the mountain we go!

This tells you how long it takes for various substances to decompose. 

You can see a building with a blue roof in the background. That is the Blue House, where the president lives! Just like our White House. 

Random badminton racket stuck in a tree.  

The mountain. This part of it is thought to look like a person. 

Old Seoul wall. This wall used to go around the entire city of Seoul. 

Apartments. Signs of modernity in a historic part of the city. 

Old Seoul wall. 

The rock to the right of the one that looks like a human is thought to be a lion. 

I thought this was cool because it says "Portland." 

Gorgeous. 

So many apartments. 

Offerings to Buddha. 

Old soju bottles inside the rock. 

These people were praying. 

Above the city. 

On top of the world. 

View from the top. 

A school. 

Amazing. 

Old Seodaemun Prison. It's now a museum. My trip to the prison will be in an upcoming post!

Namsan Tower. 

And on the way back down...

2 rocks that look like kneeling people. People have come to these rocks to pray for hundreds of years. 

More offerings. I found it interesting that people give alcohol as gifts.

Bell. 

Cool doors. 

And that's all! My next adventure is coming soon........