The name 'Saejae' implies a pass so steep that even birds (sae) have difficulty flying over it.
The 1st Gateway was originally built in 1592 during the Joseon Dynasty and reconstructed in 1708.
Unlike many other regional gates, the 1st Gateway is built of stone blocks without the use of mortar.
The location was a primary filming site for the popular KBS historical drama 'Taejo Wang Geon'.
It served as the primary administrative checkpoint for the Yeongnam-daero, the main artery of pre-modern commerce in Korea.
The surrounding provincial park area contains an open-set village that replicates various traditional Joseon-era buildings.
The gate remains the only entrance of the three that features a defensive 'Ongseong' or crescent-shaped wall structure for added security.
Mungyeong Saejae 1st Gateway, known as Juheulgwan, serves as the southern entrance to the historic Mungyeong Saejae mountain pass in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Historically, this site functioned as a strategic military checkpoint and an essential thoroughfare for scholars traveling to the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. The stone gate structure features a vaulted archway designed to control movement between the Yeongnam region and the central plains. The entire pass is a designated provincial park, known for its well-preserved path that follows the natural topography of the Joheul-san mountain range. This gate is the first of three defensive structures constructed along the pass to protect against northern invasions.
Stand on the path approximately 20 meters in front of the gate to capture the full symmetrical archway framed by the mountain trees.
Wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes as the trail from the entrance to the 1st Gateway is paved but uneven.
Visit the visitor center near the parking area first to pick up a map of the entire three-gateway hiking trail.
Bring a water bottle as amenities become sparse once you move past the 1st Gateway toward the higher mountain sections.
Do not attempt to climb or lean on the historical stone walls of the gateway for photos as the mortarless structure is delicate.
The park trails are accessible year-round, though the open-set film area may close for filming or maintenance on certain weekdays.
Maintain silence near the gateway structure and remain on the designated stone paths to protect the local ecosystem.
