Nakan Eupseong sightseeing route within the 1,410 m fortress where people live

How Kim Bin-gil’s earthen fortress of 1397 became a stone fortress in 1626–1628

Naganeupseong is a Joseon-era town fortress located in Nagan-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do. In 940, the 23rd year of Goryeo King Taejo’s reign, Pajiseong Fortress from the Baekje period was renamed Nagan-gun, and in 1397, the sixth year of Joseon King Taejo’s reign, General Kim Bin-gil built an earthen fortress.

The current stone fortress was not built all at once. Between 1626 and 1628, the fourth through sixth years of Joseon King Injo’s reign, Governor Im Gyeong-eop renovated it as a stone fortress. It is presumed to have been constructed as a stone fortress of its present scale between 1424 and 1454. Restoration work began in 1984, establishing the current fortress walls and interior facilities.

A Joseon-era planned provincial city preserved within 223,108㎡

Suncheon City introduces Naganeupseong as a representative planned provincial city of the Joseon era and one of the three major town fortresses in South Korea. According to the official overview, its area is 223,108㎡, divided into 135,597㎡ inside the fortress and 87,511㎡ outside.

According to the official overview, the fortress walls are 1,410 m long and 4–5 m high. Other public sources give the wall length as 1,468 m and the length along the inner wall as 1,351 m. By section, the walls are 3–5 m high, with a lower width generally measuring 420–590 cm. Because the structure has both inner and outer walls built of stone, it is easier to understand the wall’s thickness and height by comparing them from inside and outside the fortress rather than by walking along the top.

East, west, and south gates with more than 300 living spaces

The gates currently restored are the East Gate, West Gate, and South Gate. Inside the fortress are government office facilities, private homes, two wells, and two ponds. The site is described as having more than 300 buildings. Defensive features recorded along the walls include 421 crenellations and six barbicans.

Nine houses designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage, the guesthouse, the Im Gyeong-eop General Memorial Pavilion, and old trees are also major heritage assets. Naganeupseong is not a place where visitors simply view one exhibition hall; it preserves village roads and homes together within the fortress. Rather than looking for a particular building immediately after entering, it is more suitable to walk along a route connecting the three gates and the residential areas.

Bus routes 16, 61, 63, and 68 from Suncheon Station and Suncheon Bus Terminal

Visitors using public transportation can use Suncheon Station or Suncheon Bus Terminal as their starting point. The listed Suncheon city bus routes are 16, 61, 63, and 68. Route 16 connects Haeryong Daean, Suncheon Station, Suncheon Bus Terminal, Seonamsa Temple, and Naganeupseong.

Route 61 goes to Naganeupseong via Jeil High School, Suncheon Station, Suncheon Bus Terminal, Nodong, and Seokjeong. Routes 63 and 68 are listed as traveling to Naganeupseong via Suncheon Bus Terminal and Cheongam University. Since the latest operating times and intervals for each bus, as well as the walking distance from the stop to the ticket office, could not be confirmed in the official materials, it is safer to first check same-day service from Suncheon Bus Terminal rather than planning a transfer around a specific time.

When arriving by car, the official guide states that Naganeupseong is 37 km from Juam IC, with a travel time of 46 minutes. The route is listed in this order: Juam Toll Gate, Mungil Intersection, Songgwangsa Intersection, Gokcheon Intersection, Jangsan Intersection, Seongbuk Intersection, and Nagan. There is parking at the East Gate, but parking fees could not be confirmed in public sources.

Seasonal ticketing hours and admission fees as of April 2026

Naganeupseong is listed as open year-round. Ticketing hours are 09:00–17:30 in January and November–December, 09:00–18:00 from February–April and in October, and 08:30–18:30 from May–September. Since opening and closing times vary by season, tickets must be purchased before 17:30 in winter and before 18:30 in summer.

As of April 1, 2026, individual admission is 4,000 won for adults, 2,500 won for youths and military personnel, and 1,500 won for children. For groups of 20 or more, admission is 3,000 won for adults, 2,000 won for youths and military personnel, and 1,000 won for children. Korean nationals aged six or younger or 65 or older, elementary school students residing in Suncheon, and holders of disability welfare cards qualify for free admission. Visitors with severe disabilities may also receive free admission for one companion.

Suncheon residents qualify for a 50% discount upon verifying their address. Holders of the Hana Card Ramsar SB Card or those paying with “I♥Suncheon” can receive a 50% discount on the regular fee for up to three accompanying people. The main telephone number is 061-749-8831~8833, and the official website is https://suncheon.go.kr/nagan.

The residential village often missed on a one- to two-hour itinerary

Travel guides and visitor reviews mention itineraries involving approximately one to two hours at Naganeupseong. Within this time, visitors can quickly connect parts of the fortress walls with the East, West, and South Gates, residential homes, and government office areas. However, a longer itinerary is needed to leisurely see all 1,410 m of the fortress walls and the interior facilities.

According to the official overview, 175 people in 88 households live in the fortress, while 820 people in 199 households lived there before restoration. Therefore, visitors should not assume that every thatched house and alley is open like a museum. Focus on the nine houses designated as National Folk Cultural Heritage and other major spaces such as the guesthouse, and follow access restrictions in residential areas so as not to intrude on residents’ privacy.

Four rules to follow at the Deep-Rooted Tree Museum

The Deep-Rooted Tree Museum is located inside the fortress. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00 from March to October, with ticket sales ending at 17:30. From November to February, it is open from 09:00 to 17:30, with ticket sales ending at 17:00. The general information number is 061-749-8855, and the curatorial research office can be reached at 061-749-8858.

Commercial photography and photography using flashes or tripods are prohibited in the museum. All indoor areas are non-smoking, and bringing food or beverages inside and entering with pets are also prohibited. The photography restrictions for the entire Naganeupseong visitor area, as well as the availability of English-language information and audio guides, could not be confirmed in public sources. Visitors should therefore distinguish between the museum’s internal rules and on-site guidance for the fortress.

October Folk Festival and main-route construction notice for May 2026

The Naganeupseong Folk Culture Festival began in 1994 and is introduced as an event held every October. Baekjung games, a large tug-of-war, a reenactment of fortress-wall construction, and traditional wedding ceremonies are held, so visits focused on performances and hands-on activities may differ in atmosphere and movement from ordinary village sightseeing.

The official website also separately lists regular weekend performances and daily regular experience programs. As of May 16, 2026, a notice had been posted regarding section-by-section traffic restrictions due to restoration work on the main route’s ochre paving. Visitors during this period should not assume that all roads inside the fortress will be connected as usual.

Check address, parking, and accessibility information at once

The address is 30 Chungmin-gil, Nagan-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (Dongnae-ri), and the official website gives the same address. There is parking at the East Gate, making travel by car possible, but parking fees could not be confirmed in public sources. Public transportation information lists bus routes 16, 61, 63, and 68 as routes to Naganeupseong, but the provided information does not include station exit numbers, walking distance to the ticket office, or service intervals.

Records confirm that strollers and wheelchairs have been provided and managed, but the actual availability of rentals and detailed accessibility information for the entire fortress route could not be confirmed. Since the site combines 1,410 m of stone fortress walls, walls 3–5 m high, and a living village, travelers using mobility aids should first ask on site about routes from the East Gate parking lot and through the main open areas.

For inquiries, visitors can call the Naganeupseong main number at 061-749-8831~8833. The official website to consult before visiting is https://suncheon.go.kr/nagan. If planning to visit the museum as well, operating information can be confirmed at 061-749-8855.