Seoraksan Yonga Jangseong Fortress, Mountain fortress in Seoraksan National Park, South Korea
Seoraksan Yonga Jangseong Fortress is a mountain stronghold whose stone walls run along the ridges of Seoraksan, incorporating natural granite formations into its defensive structure. The site uses the mountain's uneven topography and merges ancient masonry with existing rock faces.
During the Goryeo Dynasty, this fortress served as a key military stronghold protecting the eastern regions from possible coastal invasions and foreign threats. Its position on the mountain enabled surveillance and rapid response to attacks from the sea.
The name Yonga Jangseong refers to Dragon Cliff, reflecting how Korean traditions connected landscape features with spiritual meaning. Today visitors can observe how the fortress sits within this symbolically charged terrain.
Visitors reach the fortress by way of marked hiking trails starting from the Baekdam Valley entrance of Seoraksan National Park. It is wise to depart in early morning hours, as mountain conditions vary considerably depending on the season.
The walls blend so seamlessly with the granite peaks that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish where the masonry ends and natural rock begins. This optical illusion was intentional, meant to deceive intruders and make the fortress less recognizable from a distance.
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