The entrance to the haenggung (temporary palace) of the mountain fortress Namhansanseong in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do Province, is illuminated with cheongsachorong, or traditional lanterns made with blue and red silk patchwork representing yin and yang. (Gyeonggi-do Province)

By Kim Seon Ah

Gyeonggi-do Province on Sept. 24 announced it will host programs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 3 at  the haenggung (temporary palace) of the mountain fortress Namhansanseong over the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays.

Located about 25 km southeast of Seoul, the fortress was mostly built in 1626, the fourth year of King Injo's reign, on the site of the remains of a castle erected in 672 under the reign of King Munmu of the Silla Kingdom.

Namhansanseong was a provisional capital in times of emergency during the Joseon Dynasty and UNESCO put it on its World Heritage list in 2014.

Over the six-day period, the Haenggung Night Tour will run daily from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can see the palace's antique architecture illuminated in the evening and take photos.

The interactive programs of traditional culture will include walking around the palace while wearing on Joseon-style clothing ("Costume Experience"), drawing ink paintings ("Everyone's Joseon Paintings"), taking the civil service exam ("Namhansanseong Civil Service Exam"), and learning tea etiquette and trying tea and accompanying snacks ("Tea and Confectionery").

All programs are free except for that of tea, for which the KRW 1,000 ticket can be purchased when paying admission at the ticket booth.

More information is available on the website of the province's Namhansanseong World Heritage Center (www.gg.go.kr/namhansansung-2).

sofiakim218@korea.kr