Hundreds of years ago, Shinchon did not look like it does now, nor did our own campus. However, there is a place which has resisted all the pressure of time and remains as it was before: Ahn Mountain , which is located right behind Ewha, just by the North A-hyun Gate.
Unlike the tall mountains we have learned about, Ahn Mountain is only 296 meters in height, about one fifth of the height of the Halla Mountain . Depending on the route, it normally takes only one to two hours to go to the top and get back to school and the hiking course is easy enough to even bring your pet along, as many hikers actually do. According to the statistics released by the Seodaemun-gu Office for year 2005, over 20 percent of Seodaemun-gu residents climb the mountain every day, mainly for leisure and exercise. They range from elders as old as 70 years old to children as young as seven years old. Kang Suk-young, a retiree and an alumnus of Yonsei University , said he moved to Shinchon a month ago and, ever since then, has been climbing the mountain every morning to strengthen both his mental and physical health.
The mountain is covered with several different forests and is filled with several different types of flowers and trees. At times, you can even see squirrels climbing up and down the trees.
Along with its natural ecosystem, several facilities also make the mountain convenient for hikers. Several water fountains with mountain spring water are stationed throughout the mountain. A tennis court, a badminton court, and even a mini-gym for exercise are also part of the mountain’s recreational facilities. Moreover, hikers can visit cultural sites including the Bongwon Temple , a noted temple with a history of more than 1,000 years, and the head temple of the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism. There is also a historic Fire Signal Station Site on the mountain.
With beautiful scenery, great facilities and a clean environment, Ahn Mountain welcomes Ewha students, and is always filled with energy because of the many climbers. Jean Paquette (English Program Office), regularly goes there for a jog or walk. “I used to get backaches when jogging on flat ground, but I think running on uneven ground is better because my back is not always in the same position” said Paquette.
Hwang Yoon-bi (Nutritional Sciences and Food Services, 2), who regularly climbs the mountain, said, “I normally climb the mountain at 6:00 a.m. and get back to my dorm at 8:00 a.m. It feels great to start off my day by doing something productive and healthy. I really encourage all Ewha students to take some time off and climb the mountain sometime.”
Hundreds of years ago, Shinchon did not look like it does now, nor did our own campus. However, there is a place which has resisted all the pressure of time and remains as it was before: Ahn Mountain , which is located right behind Ewha, just by the North A-hyun Gate. Unlike the tall mountains we have learned about, Ahn Mountain is only 296 meters in height, about one fifth of the height of the Halla Mountain . Depending on the route, it normally takes only one to two hours to go to the top and get back to school and the hiking course is easy enough to even bring your pet along, as many hikers actually do. According to the statistics released by the Seodaemun-gu Office for year 2005, over 20 percent of Seodaemun-gu residents climb the mountain every day, mainly for leisure and exercise. They range from elders as old as 70 years old to children as young as seven years old. Kang Suk-young, a retiree and an alumnus of Yonsei University , said he moved to Shinchon a month ago and, ever since then, has been climbing the mountain every morning to strengthen both his mental and physical health. The mountain is covered with several different forests and is filled with several different types of flowers and trees. At times, you can even see squirrels climbing up and down the trees. Along with its natural ecosystem, several facilities also make the mountain convenient for hikers. Several water fountains with mountain spring water are stationed throughout the mountain. A tennis court, a badminton court, and even a mini-gym for exercise are also part of the mountain’s recreational facilities. Moreover, hikers can visit cultural sites including the Bongwon Temple , a noted temple with a history of more than 1,000 years, and the head temple of the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism. There is also a historic Fire Signal Station Site on the mountain. With beautiful scenery, great facilities and a clean environment, Ahn Mountain welcomes Ewha students, and is always filled with energy because of the many climbers. Jean Paquette (English Program Office), regularly goes there for a jog or walk. “I used to get backaches when jogging on flat ground, but I think running on uneven ground is better because my back is not always in the same position” said Paquette. Hwang Yoon-bi (Nutritional Sciences and Food Services, 2), who regularly climbs the mountain, said, “I normally climb the mountain at 6:00 a.m. and get back to my dorm at 8:00 a.m. It feels great to start off my day by doing something productive and healthy. I really encourage all Ewha students to take some time off and climb the mountain sometime.”