Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

2.8Km    2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Hosujip (호수집)

Hosujip (호수집)

2.8Km    2021-03-30

443, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-0695

It is a restaurant where people wait in line as a hidden restaurant for locals in Chungjeong-ro. The best menu at this restaurant is spicy braised chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Zara - Lotte Seoul Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (자라 롯데 서울역점)

Zara - Lotte Seoul Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (자라 롯데 서울역점)

2.8Km    2024-04-22

378, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Mangnidan Street (망리단길)

Mangnidan Street (망리단길)

2.9Km    2025-05-20

Poeun-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Mangnidan Street is located near Poeun-ro, which can be reached in about 6 to 8 minutes of leisurely walk toward Mangwon Hangang Park from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Subway Line 6. Its name comes from the combination of Mangwon-dong and the Gyeongnidan Street in Itaewon, meaning the “Gyeongnidan Street of Mangwon-dong.” There are a variety of restaurants, cafes, dessert shops, and other small shops, each with their own charm, making it a great place to take the kids shopping or just get some rest. This place is quite close to Mangwon Market, so visitors can stop by the market if time allows. Another way to fit this area into the itinerary is as a pit stop for desserts or some shopping before heading to Mangwon Hangang Park.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.9Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Dongnimmun Yeongcheon Market (독립문영천시장)

2.9Km    2023-01-17

189-1, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Yeongcheon Market, which was formed in the 1960s near Dongnimmun Gate in Seodaemun-gu, is a marketplace with over 50 years of history and tradition, once famous as one of the largest rice cake wholesale markets in Seoul. It is set up near a residential district, which makes it one of the city's most notable street-style traditional markets that nearby residents frequently visit. The city of Seoul selected the area surrounding 38 Yeongcheonsijang-gil, Seodaemun-gu as the "Future Heritage of July" in 2021.

It is a large-scale traditional market that currently features around 198 stores, and it is well-known for its various foods and snacks such as tteokbokki and twisted donuts sold at about 40% of all shops.

Cacaodada (카카오 다다)

2.9Km    2019-01-28

15, Huiujeong-ro 10-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Cacaodada uses only the best cacao beans from around the world to make their chocolate. Their chocolates are made using only pure chocolate and sugar for a true taste.

Jungin Myeonok Main Store (정인면옥 본점)

Jungin Myeonok Main Store (정인면옥 본점)

2.9Km    2024-03-15

1F, 10 Gukhoe-daero 76-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2683-2615

Jungin Myeonok, situated near Yeouido Hangang Park, is a culinary destination specializing in Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles). The restaurant offers two types of naengmyeon: the traditional Pyeongyang naengmyeon, which combines buckwheat with starch for a chewier texture, and sunmyeon, crafted purely from buckwheat. Both varieties are served in a deep, flavorful meat broth, complemented by the springy texture of the noodles, providing an authentic and satisfying dining experience.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

2.9Km    2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

Kensington Hotel Yeouido (켄싱턴호텔 여의도 (구. 렉싱턴호텔))

2.9Km    2021-02-17

16, Gukhoe-daero 76-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6670-7100

Lexington Hotel is New York-themed hotel named after Lexington Avenue, one of the three major streets of New York City. Located in the center of Yeouido, considered the ‘Manhattan of Seoul,’ Lexington Hotel is in close proximity to the Hangang River, the National Assembly Building, broadcasting agencies and the Korea Stock Exchange and is 20 minutes from the Gimpo International Airport. The renovated hotel has 223 guestrooms and subsidiary facilities allowing guests to have a comfortable stay.