Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)
3.8Km 2022-12-15
251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305
Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.
One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.
Seoul Hyochang Park (서울 효창공원)
3.8Km 2024-07-09
177-18 Hyochangwon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2199-7608
Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo, King Jeongjo’s first son who died at the age of five; Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan, King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother; Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan, King Sunjo’s royal concubine; and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.
Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as Samuisa Tomb. A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of the provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.
Olivine Spa (올리바인 스파)
3.9Km 2025-10-23
4-1 Tongil-ro 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Chosen as one of the 25 recommended wellness tourist destinations by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, Olivine Spa operates a luxury spa and a beauty & slimming center in downtown. The spa also provides professional pre-natal and post-natal massage, body shape care, and various beauty programs in partnership with Seran General Hospital and Olivium (a postpartum care center). Olivine Spa provides massages by top-tier therapists in the industry who will relieve fatigue and eliminate toxins accumulated through daily life. They will help your body become healthier and more balanced, ensuring customer satisfaction. Furthermore, Olivine Spa uses Swiss premium brands Les Nouvels Aroma and Darphin in their programs. Its beauty & slimming center provides customized consulting and various beauty-related medical programs in partnership with medical staff at Seran General Hospital.
Sangam-dong MBC New Headquarters Media Center (상암동MBC신사옥미디어센터)
3.9Km 2025-11-05
255 Seongam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park (여의도샛강생태공원)
4.0Km 2021-06-14
48, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0570
Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park in central Seoul was the first ecological park in Korea, opened on September 25, 1997. It houses a wide variety of flora and fauna, including kestrels (Natural Monument No. 323), herons, and minnows. There is a 6 kilometer-long promenade that crosses the park, and information signs explaining various flower and plant species throughout the park.
Seoul Mountain Climbing & culture center (산악문화체험센터)
4.1Km 2025-11-06
112 Haneulgongwon-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
In episode 4 of the drama "Numbers," the character Shim Hyeong-woo goes climbing at the Seoul Mountain Climbing & Culture Center. This center offers a climbing facility where you can enjoy mountain culture and sports together. It features exhibition facilities for experiencing mountain culture and both indoor and outdoor sports climbing.
Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)
4.2Km 2023-08-11
5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.
On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.
Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산)
4.2Km 2024-03-04
San 2-1, Muak-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-2834
Inwangsan Mountain is a rocky mountain located to the northwestern side of Seoul. It stands 338m tall. The Seoul City Wall is built along its ridge, connecting to the Baegak Mountain Trail. From the summit, one can see the three mountains of Naksan Mountain, Namsan Mountain, and the Bugaksan Mountain surrounding the historical center of Hanyang, the historical name for Seoul in Joseon period, with the Gyeongbokgung Palace at the center. There are five hiking trails, all taking about two hours to complete. It takes about three hours if you want to visit all the peaks of the mountain.
National Meteorological Museum of Korea (국립기상박물관)
4.2Km 2024-03-26
52 Songwol-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
A museum where one can look at Korea's meteorological observation history and technological development through exhibitions. The museum has the world's first rain gauge, invented in 1441, in the early Joseon dynasty. The museum operates approximately 350 meteorological observatories across Korea and focuses on promoting the uniqueness and excellence of Korea's meteorological science. There are permanent collections and special exhibitions. The permanent collections focus on the history of meteorological science in Korea. At the same time, the special exhibitions take a closer look at the history and information about meteorological science and natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes) that occurred in various regions of Korea. There are experience programs related to meteorological science, such as making a rain gauge or learning about rain gauges.
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