Bukhansan National Park (2) 북한산 (2)

                               

                                   Bukhansan National Park (2)

                                     

                                    Bukhansan is something like a big, huge lung

                                    for those who are living in Seoul, S.Korea.

                                    Lots of people love to come here and hike

                                    walking up and down the mountain roads.

                                    May 18, 2013     I have come here again.

                                    This time I took another road, starting at

                                    Gupabal (the name of a town), through Daenammun,

                                    and ending at Segumjeong (the name of another town).

                                  

                                    The distance is about 6 km and it took me about

                                    6 hours.

                                    While walking through the mountain road, 

                                     my husband and I enjoyed taking pictures of

                                     various kinds of flowers and plants. 

                                     Almost flowers are in full blossom, all the trees

                                     are fresh green.

                                     It is nearing summer time.

                                     What a beautiful view!!!

                                   Dae-seo-mun (Great West Gate), is the main
                                  gate of the Bukhansanseong and is located on
                                  the lowest spot among total 16 fortress gates.
                               
                                 

                                  Jung-seong-mun (gate), is a gate installed in
                                 the Jung-seong on the gorge between the No-
                                 jeok-bong Peak and the Jeung- chwi-bong Peak
                                 of Bukhan Mountain.
                                  A small secret gate is hidden behind this gate.
                                 This secret gate didn't have a name but it was
                                 named 'Si-gu-mun'. That means dead bodies
                                 passed through this gate.

                                   Dae-nam-mun (Great South Gate)

                                   Some of the flowers and plants growing in

                                  Bukhansan National Park.

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine 1

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine (1)

Jelodusan, Korea's premier martyrs'shrine,is the place

where many Catholic believers were martyred

during the persecutions of 1866.

Originally,this place was called Yanghwajin, but after the persecution

it became known as Jeoldusan. That means "beheading mountain".

In 1866, French fleet came up here to Yanghwajin requesting a treaty

to Joseon ( an earlier name for Korea).

Joseon government didn't want to do it and rejected the request.

That caused French fleet to break out  a war against Joseon.

But French fleet was defeated by Joseon"s army.

After the hostilities had ceased, the Joseon government began to

punish Catholics.

About 10,000 Catholic christians had been killed at that time.

In 1966,marking the 100th anniversary of the persecution,

a church and museum were built here. 

                                 Korean's traditional clay pots.
                                 It is used as a containers of soy sauce, soy paste,
                                 fermented foods,...

                                 Many Catholic christians from many different area
                                 are visiting here.
                               

                                  Statue of Pope John Paul II
                                  He visited the shrine on the 3rd May,1984
                                  in order to pay his deep respect to the martyrs.

                                  The shrine is near the banks of the Han River
                                  in Korea. The Han River is flowing under overbridge.

                                 The statue of priest Kim Dae-gun.(1821~1846)
                                  He is well-known historical Catholic priest in Korea,
                                 who is the very first Catholic priest and martyr as well
                                 in history of christianity of Korea.