The Namsan (Seoul) Tower: A majestic part of Seoul
We all need landmarks that guide us safely home.
Namsan (which translated from Korean means “South Mountain”) sits in the heart of metropolitan Seoul. It’s a small mountain of almost 400 meters (about 1,600 ft) that rises from the Han River valley, some 4 km (about 2 miles or so) from the Han River.
Given the relatively flat landscape of Seoul, it looms over the heart of the city. From almost anywhere in the heart of the city, Namsan is easy to spot.
At the top of the mountain, stands a majestic radio and TV tower that rises another 300 meters (900 ft) above the top of the mountain. It stands on an interior steel framework, surrounded by a circular concrete wall that is about 50 meters in diameter. Inside the base of the tower is an elevator. It whisks employees and tourists up to the five-floor circular building that sits on top of the tower. The top two floors hold an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. Above the top level of this building is a sturdy antenna mast that rises almost 200 meters (about 600 ft) — making the entire structure nearly 500 meters (1500 ft) tall.
It’s an imposing structure and quite a majestic sight. For me, it has also become a beacon that guides me home.
