Completion of Phase 1 Construction for Gaehwasan Deck Road in Gangseo-gu

1.3 Billion KRW Invested, 630m Total Extension of Phase 1 & 2 Access Road... Buk Cafe and Rest Area Created, Anticipated Healing Space in Nature

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) announced on the 9th that the first phase of the deck road construction on the Gaehwasan hiking trail has been completed.

Gaehwasan is a place where vehicles frequently move, as it is home to the thousand-year-old temple Yaksa Temple and a military unit near the summit.

In particular, since there was no separate pedestrian path on the hiking trail, safety issues have always been raised when large crowds gather for major events such as the Gaehwasan sunrise or Buddha’s Birthday.

Accordingly, the district secured a budget of 1.3 billion KRW to ensure pedestrian safety for residents visiting Gaehwasan, and completed the first phase of the pedestrian deck construction last month.

Since the construction section is a steep hiking trail, safety was ensured through detailed safety inspections and expert consultations.

The total 470m wooden pedestrian deck was constructed using eco-friendly methods so that residents visiting Gaehwasan can safely hike and fully enjoy nature.

Additionally, two rest shelters and book cafes were established within the construction section to offer a unique healing experience in nature.

Each of the two book cafes is stocked with about 600 books, and plans are in place to regularly replace and manage them in case of damage or deterioration.

Walking along the trail toward Yaksa Temple, you can see the Pungsan Sim Clan Cemetery (Seoul City Tangible Cultural Property No. 77) located on the right. It provides another attraction as it houses the graves of Sim Jeong, who served as Chief State Councillor during King Jungjong’s reign in the Joseon Dynasty, and his grandson Sim Su-jeong, a clean government official.

Going forward, the district plans to complete compensation for private land included in the section during the first half of the year and finish the second phase of the deck road construction by the end of this year.

By next year’s Gaehwasan sunrise event, it is expected that visitors will be able to experience a total 630m deck road section extending from Yeongsin Church to Yaksa Temple Samgeori intersection.

Gangseo-gu Mayor Noh Hyun-song said, “We have created a pedestrian-only deck road to provide a safer walking environment for residents,” and added, “I hope more residents visit Gaehwasan to enjoy hiking and healing.”

The district plans to create an artificial waterfall and ecological pond around Yaksa Temple using discharged groundwater as part of the Gaehwasan revitalization project by the end of the year.

Gangseo-gu Office Parks and Greenery Division (☎2600-4182)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.