Hwando

Welcome to Hwando, also known as Wandu Mountain City, located in Ji'an, Jilin Province. This is not just a fortress but was once a vibrant capital of the ancient Goguryeo kingdom, which ruled over large parts of the Korean…

Our journey begins at the Southern Gate, the primary entrance to the fortress and its most vulnerable point. To compensate for the lack of natural cliffs here, the Goguryeo engineers constructed a massive stone wall that snakes…

Deep within the heart of the mountain basin lie the ruins of the royal palace. Unlike the temporary shelters of the soldiers, the palace was a complex of grand wooden halls built on elevated stone platforms. …

To the west of the palace ruins are the areas dedicated to the thousands of soldiers who called Hwando home. The archaeological remains here indicate a dense grid of barracks, armories, and stables. …

One of the most critical features for any mountain fortress is a reliable water supply. At Hwando, the engineers made brilliant use of the natural topography to create a sophisticated water management system. …

Perched on the highest ridges of the fortress are the ruins of several watchtowers. These were the 'eyes' of Hwando, providing 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and the Yalu River. …

Just outside the main residential and palace areas of Hwando is a vast field of burial mounds, known as the Hwando Cemetery. Goguryeo is famous for its tomb culture, and the thousands of mounds found around Ji'an are a testament…

As we conclude our exploration of Hwando Mountain Fortress, I hope you have gained an appreciation for the sheer audacity of the Goguryeo kingdom. To build a capital city on a mountain ridge requires more than just military…