A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortress lies atop the mountain Namhansan and stretches 12 km in length.

The design is based on fortress architecture of East Asia, embodying aspects of four historical cultural styles: Joseon of Korea, the Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japan, and Ming and Qing China.

The technical development of weaponry and armaments during this period, which saw the use of gunpowder imported from Europe, also greatly influenced the architecture and layout of the fortress.

The fortress indicates how Buddhism played an influential role in protecting the state, and it became a symbol of sovereignty in Korea.

During the Goryeo period, a fortification existed in the area that was called "Gwangju Fortress" (광주성; 廣州城).

[6] The fortress lost its function as the town center due to the relocation of the Gwangju County Office in 1917,[7] resulting in a downgrade to a remote mountain village.

[6] Nowadays, Namhansanseong is a tourist attraction, after undergoing large-scale wall restorations and being designated as a provincial park since the 1970s.

Most fortress towns in Korea underwent severe deformation and change during Japanese colonial times and the period of industrialization and urbanization, resulting in losing their original layout and forms.

On the basis of the CHP Act, the entire property is designated as a historic site and has a buffer zone surrounding the area with limitations and regulations on development and construction.

Financial support comes from the national and provincial governments, and the projects are managed and operated by the Namhansanseong World Heritage Centre.

For the sustainable conservation of the fortress areas, preventive measures include studies on carrying capacity, regular estimation of expected visitors, and utilizing planning mechanisms with legal instruments.