Prayers for national prosperity, Manse Dongbang Trail

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Bugaksan Mountain

Prayers for national prosperity, Manse Dongbang Trail

Published Date : Dec 22, 2022 / Edited Date : Oct 12, 2023

The inscription “Manse Dongbang ( 萬世東方 )“ is engraved on a rock hanging over a mountain spring, wishing for the prosperity of the nation and longevity of the king. Found on the trail are the ruins of the Buddhist temple of Beopheungsa, a structure built during the reign of King Jinpyeong of the Silla Kingdom.

Hiking route

Changuimun Gate Bugaksan Access Gate 1 Cheongundae Information Center Cheongundae Peak Cheongundae Shelter Site of Beopheungsa Temple Manse Dongbang Spring Cheong Wa Dae Observatory Baegakjeong Pavilion Chunchugwan Backroad

Total travel distance 4km

Average travel time 1 hour 50 minutes

Difficulty average

COURSE MAP

A diagram showing the route of the Manse-dongbang course, the 10th course of Mt. Bukak. The section from Changuimun, the starting point, to Bukaksan Gate 1 is of easy difficulty, the section from Bukaksan Gate 1 to Cheongundae Information Center is of normal difficulty, the section from Cheongundae Information Center to Cheongundae is of normal difficulty, the section from Cheongundae to Cheongundae Shelter is of easy difficulty, and the section from Cheongundae Shelter is The section from Beopheungsa Temple Site to Mansedongbang has a normal difficulty level, the section from Mansedongbang to the Blue House Observatory has a normal level of difficulty, the section from the Blue House Observatory to Baekakjeong Pavilion has an easy difficulty level, and the section from Baegakjeong Pavilion to the destination, the back road of Chunchugwan Difficulty is easy.

A graph showing the change in altitude between the 10 courses of Mt. Bukak, the Manse-dong course. Total length 4 km. The starting point, Changuimun, is about 0 km away and the altitude is about 110 m. The distance from the No. 1 entrance to Bugaksan Mountain is about 0.6 km, and the altitude is about 150 meters. The distance to the Cheongundae Information Center is about 1 kilometer, and the altitude is about 210 meters. Cheongundae is about 1.4 kilometers long and the altitude is about 290 meters. The distance to the Cheongundae Shelter is about 1.5 kilometers, and the altitude is about 270 meters. The distance to Beopheung Temple Site is about 1.8 kilometers, and the altitude is about 190 meters. The distance to Manse East is about 2.4 kilometers, and the altitude is about 220 meters. The distance to the Blue House Observatory is about 2.8 kilometers, and the altitude is about 200 meters. Baekakjeong Pavilion is about 3 kilometers long and about 150 meters high. The distance to the destination, the back road of Chunchugwan, is about 4 kilometers, and the altitude is about 60 meters.

INFORMATION

About the trail

· Walking from Bugaksan Access Gate 1 to Cheongundae Information Center takes around 20 minutes. Entry into Bugaksan through the information center is restricted after 3 p.m., 4 p.m., or 5 p.m. depending on the season. Last entry Nov.–Feb.: 3 p.m. Mar.–Apr. & Sep.–Oct.: 4 p.m. May–Aug.: 5 p.m.
· The site of Beopheungsa Temple is easy to miss and requires a steep descent. If this trail is physically too demanding, skip the temple site and hike toward Manse Dongbang Spring from Cheongundae Shelter.

Shelter and hiking tips

This trail is one of the fastest ways up to Cheongundae Peak. Cheongundae Shelter is well-equipped to accommodate for hikers looking to rest and recover, and getting here takes just 30 minutes.

Transportation

Take bus No. 1020, 7022, or 7212 outside Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station, Seoul Metro Line 3. Get off at the bus stop Buam- dong Community Service Center and Mugyewon and walk toward Baekseokdong- gil road past Changuimun Intersection for about 10 minutes to reach Bugaksan Access Gate 1.

SPOTS

Bugaksan Access Gate 1

Bugaksan Access Gate 1 is the gateway to the trails newly opened to the public. Bugaksan is open to hikers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in summer, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in spring and fall. Last entry is two hours before closing.

Site of Beopheungsa Temple

This is allegedly the site of Beopheungsa Temple, which was built during the reign of Silla King Jinpyeong. Another temple named Yeongulsa might also have stood here, as records from the area describe a tiger hunt by Joseon King Sejo east of Yeongulsa temple. Shards of inlaid buncheong wares dating back to the 15th century have been discovered near the site.

Manse Dongbang Spring

The spring gets its name from the anonymous inscription on the boulder hanging over expressing wishes for the king’s health and longevity. King Gojong, the 26th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, is said to have been fond of the water here.

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