A view of one (don’t remember which) of Dongnae Upseong’s four gates. The style of gate and walls is clearly mid-Joseon, with the gate partially protected by a wall extension—in the Chinese fashion of the time—making it difficult to rush the massive doors.

A view of the long wall and towers projecting outward. These provided fields of fire along the wall, to allow engagement of enemy forces who made it that close to the rampart.

Another view of the long walls of Dongnae, this time from the inside. These are all clearly—and fairly recently—reconstructed to produce the overall effect that the walls would have had in their prime. Generally speaking, however, Joseon-era Korean masonry walls supported earthen walkways beneath the level of crenelations. Here, however, you see just how thin the walls of Dongnae currently appear.

Another view of the partially-protected gatehouse. This view, however, shows the earthen walkway along the wall leading into the gate from the bottom of the picture. Very likely this type of inner embankment existed along the entire length of the walls of Dongnae Upseong. Just a note on the banners posted in this picture. They appear to be more reflective of the late Joseon period and thus influenced by Manchu and Qing Dynasty Chinese sensibilities instead of the mid-Joseon banners that would have graced these walls when the Japanese stormed the city.

Here you can see what remains of the original walls after the Japanese demolition of many Korean fortresses in 1910. As well, you can see how the reconstructed walls blend with the original, explaining the two-toned stone structures seen in other pictures.

This pavilion situated at the highest point of Dongnae Upseong would have served as a command post, facilitating a panoramic view of the fortress and surrounding areas.

And this is the view from the pavilion. Of course you have to imagine that all the close-in trees would have been cut to facilitate lines of sight around the castle. Dongnae Burough of what is now Busan City sprawls into the distance. At the time of the invasion, however, the space between Busan and Dongnae would have been criss-crossed by rice paddies straddling the main road leading from the harbor to Seoul several days ride to the north across the Taebaek Mountains.