Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

3.6Km    2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Olive Young - Gongdeok Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 공덕역)

Olive Young - Gongdeok Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 공덕역)

3.6Km    2024-04-16

1F, 199, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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LG Best Shop [Tax Refund Shop] (LG베스트샵)

LG Best Shop [Tax Refund Shop] (LG베스트샵)

3.6Km    2024-04-23

240, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Homeplus World Cup Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 홈플러스월드컵)

Olive Young - Homeplus World Cup Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 홈플러스월드컵)

3.6Km    2024-04-17

2F Home Plus World Cup Branch, 240, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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ABC-Mart - World Cup Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ABC 마트 월드컵점)

ABC-Mart - World Cup Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ABC 마트 월드컵점)

3.6Km    2024-04-23

2F, 240, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Seoul World Cup Stadium (서울월드컵경기장)

Seoul World Cup Stadium (서울월드컵경기장)

3.6Km    2025-03-15

240 World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2128-2000

Seoul World Cup Stadium, constructed for the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, stands as the largest soccer-specific stadium in Korea. Currently serving as the home ground for FC Seoul's K-League , it also hosts matches for the South Korean national soccer team. The vicinity boasts large-scale supermarkets, cinemas, sports centers, and saunas. Nearby attractions include Haneul Park and Pyeonghwa Park.

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대)

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House) (청와대)

3.6Km    2024-10-30

1, Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1330

The signature markings of the Presidential Residence of Cheong Wa Dae are its blue tiles on the Main Office; it is the first thing to catch one's attention upon viewing the premises. Approximately 150 thousand tiles compose the roof of the Main Office. Each tile was baked individually to make them strong enough to last for hundreds of years. The blue tiles and the smoothly curving roofline blend beautifully with Bugaksan Mountain in the backdrop.

Cheong Wa Dae is comprised of the Main Office, Yeongbingwan (State Guest House), Chunchugwan (Spring and Autumn) Hall, Nokjiwon Garden, Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) Hill, and Chilgung Palace. It is interesting to see that all the buildings are unique and beautifully designed, built in the traditional Korean style. Just outside the premises is Cheongwadae Sarangchae, an exhibition hall showing the history of Cheong Wa Dae and the Korean presidency, as well as gifts received by heads of State over the years. The hall is open and free to all visitors.

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

3.6Km    2024-11-28

1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
박주원 학예연구사 02-3771-8636

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display brightens the night through a media facade display on Yeongbingwan Hall. The display shows the history of Cheong Wa Dae through the theme "Twelve Lights".

CU - Koreana Hotel Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (cu코리아나호텔점)

3.6Km    2024-06-26

135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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World Cup Park (월드컵공원)

3.6Km    2024-10-23

243-60 World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Opened on May 1st, 2002, the Wolrd Cup Park was once a 15-year-old landfill that held over 92 million tons of garbage. The park is located near Seoul World Cup Stadium, and is made up of five smaller parks - Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park, Haneul (Sky) Park, Noeul (Sunset) Park, Nanjicheon Park, and Nanji Hangang Park.

* Pyeonghwa Park: Closest to Seoul World Cup Stadium, it holds a pond, garden, children’s playground, and forest. As a representative park of World Cup Park, the park was designed in hopes of peace and harmony between mankind and nature. It is often used as a picnic area and place for nature studies.

* Nanji Hangang Park: Nanji Hangang Park was developed on the banks of the Hangang River. In contrast to other Hangang River parks, Nanji Hangang Park is a water-friendly park that has a gradual slope towards the riverbank. The park consists of a camping ground, soccer field, basketball court, grass field, cruise ship port, and an area for nature studies.

* Haneul Park: Haneul Park consists of vast grassland located at the highest elevation of the five parks. The park's pasture is covered with eulalias and wild flowers in their most natural state. In addition, 30,000 butterflies of different species were introduced in 2000 to stabilize the ecosystem. Five wind-powered generators provide power to the park and the park’s maintenance office. Once a mountain of garbage, it is now a green hill with 22 lookout points offering breathtaking views of Seoul, including the N Seoul Tower, Bukhansan Mountain, and Hangang River. Tall trees are line the park to provide shades and serve as resting spots for visitors. As a popular spot to enjoy the sight of eulalias, the park usually remains open until late in the evening during the Eulalia Festival period.

* Noeul Park: In order to prevent the vast area of land of what was once a wasteland from becoming an unnecessary chunk of land, a nine-hole golf course was constructed in what is now known as Noeul Park. The golf course serves as an environment friendly entertainment park to visitors while stabilizing the geographical formation and has an urban park nearby that offers scenic views of the Hangang River and beautiful sunset. Located west of the golf park is Noeul Square, decorated with shrubs and flowers.

* Nanjicheon Park: Nanjicheon Park was developed from the Nanji Stream, which flowed under Haneul Park. It was once overflowing with sewage runoff from a nearby landfill, but it has since been beautifully restored into a park with clear water. The park is built to serve as a recreational spot for those with for youths, elders, and people with disabilities.