From a Naksan Park viewpoint, Namsan, central Seoul's high-rises, and the Dongdaemun district spread across the horizon. By elevation, Naksan is closer to a modest hill than a mountain. Within the spatial logic of the Joseon capital, however, Bugaksan, Naksan, Namsan, and Inwangsan were the four inner mountains enclosing the city. Naksan was understood as the capital's eastern mountain—its “Blue Dragon” in traditional geomantic terms—and the wall followed its curving ridge from Hyehwamun in the north toward Heunginjimun in the south.
The camel association preserves a memory of the ridgeline
The first Chinese character in Naksan, 駱, refers to a camel. The hill is said to have been called Naktasan or Taraksan because its rolling profile resembled a camel's back. Buildings, trees, paths, and park structures now make the entire outline difficult to see from one position. Walking along the wall and reading the long, gentle rise explains the name better than searching for a single summit.
A low mountain was not a minor part of the capital's defenses
Naksan overlooks the eastern approaches and Heunginjimun, the Great East Gate. Its lower elevation may have made sections easier to build and patrol, but it could also leave the walled city more exposed to observation and attack from outside. Hanyang's defenses did not depend on a few high peaks alone. Mountains, gates, walls, watch systems, and connecting military facilities worked together.
The greenery of today's park is not untouched ancient nature
Housing once extended close to Naksan's ridge, while parts of the city wall were damaged or lost. Modern projects later cleared, repaired, landscaped, and reorganized sections of the hill into a public park and walking trail. Today's trees, plazas, viewpoints, lights, and visitor facilities are contemporary additions layered onto a historic landform. Naksan is best understood as a place where housing, heritage, and park management have repeatedly renegotiated their boundaries.