Forty Years of an Entire Hillside Filling With the Dead

Mangwoo-ri Park was land that kept filling for 40 years, until it reached capacity in 1973 with roughly 28,500 graves.

Key takeaways

From 1933 to 1973, burials continued here without interruption for 40 years, until the site reached capacity on March 25, 1973 with roughly 28,500 graves, at which point further burials were banned. Fact The terrain — graves packed densely along the ridgeline — reflects both Seoul's population growth and its mortality during this period.

What to look for on site

The density of graves running along the ridgeline
Walking paths developed after burials were banned
The unmarked, anonymous graves that remain at close intervals

Visitor tip

Since the entire hillside is a cemetery, stay on the designated trails rather than wandering between graves.