Seoul City Wall Museum’s Special Exhibitions in the First Half of 2024
A Record of Walk around the Seoul City Wall (Sunseong Gihaeng): Hanyangdoseong discovered through the Eyes of Seonbi in the 19th Century
When flower buds begin to sprout in spring after the cold winter, many people visit Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall. ‘Sunseong (walk around the city wall)’ originally referred to Joseon soldiers’ patrolling along the walls of Hanyangdoseong for defense and supervision. In the late Joseon Dynasty, Sunseong also referred to tourists’ promenades along the walls to enjoy the spring scenery. It also designated a custom of walking around the walls for Seonbi (Joseon scholars), who came to the capital of Hanyang, hoping to pass the state examination.
Here Is a record of Sunseong left by a Seonbi about 100 years ago. This record, written by a Seonbi who passed the state examination and went for a stroll around the city wall with a light heart, captures what the ancient Hanyangdoseong used to be like. The exhibition traces the recorded itinerary of Sunseong and how the tradition continues to this day.
How about retracing our ancestors' footsteps by walking around the city walls today?