Ansan Beacon (Bongsudae)
안산 봉수대
Viewpoint in Seodaemun-gu. Open 05:00–19:00 daily. Plan about 2 hours. 12 min walk from Muakjae Station.
Good to know
Our guide
The Ansan Beacon sits on the summit of Ansan (about 296 m), also called Muaksan, in Seodaemun-gu. In the Joseon era, Korea passed military warnings across the country by fire at night and smoke by day, relayed from hilltop to hilltop. Ansan had two beacons, east and west. The east beacon, the one you see today, was the last stop on a line from the northern frontier before the signal reached the central beacon on Namsan, which reported to the palace.
The original was long gone. In 1994, for Seoul's 600th anniversary as capital, the city rebuilt the east beacon in natural stone on its old site. That's why locals also call it the Muak East Beacon (무악 동봉수대).
Why go
The summit is one of the best free viewpoints in central Seoul. Look across to the rocky ridge of Inwangsan, down on Seodaemun Prison History Museum, toward Namsan Tower, and on clear days as far as Bukhansan, the Han River and Gwanaksan.
Getting there
- From Dongnimmun Station (Line 3): walk through Seodaemun Independence Park and up the trail. A loop up to the beacon and back takes about 2 hours.
- Ansan Jarak-gil: a 7 km loop around the mountain, opened in 2013 with no stairs and long wooden decks. It's an easy, stroller-friendly walk; side trails climb to the beacon.
- Our estimates: the Ansan Beacon is about 1 h 30 from Incheon Airport (AREX to Digital Media City, Line 6 to Bulgwang, then Line 3 to Muakjae and a walk) and 55 min from Gimpo. From Myeongdong, Hongik Univ. or Seoul Station 40 min, Gangnam 55 min.
Good to know
- Wear walking shoes. The final climb is steeper than the Jarak-gil loop.
- There are no shops at the top. Bring water.
- Go down before dark if you're not used to hiking trails.
Staying nearby
Our lodging data records no hotels and 31 guesthouses within 1.2 km of the Ansan Beacon. By our estimate the closest area we suggest for a base is Gyeongbokgung Station, 24 min away via Line 3 including the walk, with 12 hotels within walking distance of the station; Anguk Station, 27 min away, has 48.
Travel-time estimates and lodging counts are from Day & Stay data, Oct 2026: Seoul business licensing records and our transit model.
Pairs well with
Within a 20-minute walk.
Where to stay near Ansan Beacon (Bongsudae)
Areas with the shortest trip here, on foot or by public transit.
From each area’s main station, on foot or by public transit. Our estimates (Nov 2026).
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