Seomun (West Gate)

This is a gate located on the west side of Namhansanseong Fortress, a Historic Site of South Korea. It is the gate through which King Injo passed with his crown prince in 1637 when he surrendered to the Qing dynasty. It is the smallest and oldest of the four gates of the fortress. Although the steep slope made transporting goods difficult, it was the fastest route toward Gwangnaru and Songpanaru. Nearby are the Maetan charcoal-making site and Gukcheongsa Temple. The sunset is beautiful in the evening, and it is a famous spot for night views, with many photographers visiting to capture the scenery of Namsan Tower, Lotte World Tower, and Wirye New Town seen from Seomun.