Gwanghwamun Square Market (광화문광장 마켓) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gwanghwamun Square Market (광화문광장 마켓)

Gwanghwamun Square Market (광화문광장 마켓)

734.7085718938114m    0     2024-04-22

175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3788-8168

Gwanghwamun Square Market first showcased in December 2022 along with the Seoul Lantern Festival to support the local small businesses and promote Seoul night tourism. The market features local store owners and businesses that exhibit and sell seasonal decor, handcrafted items, and winter snacks. The market has expanded twice in size for the year 2023, comprising a food zone and a booth zone.

Yu Yuan (유 유안)

737.0964144997878m    15     2017-02-24

97, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

With a name derived from Shanghai's beautiful garden, Yu Yuan displays the glamorous exuberance and abundance of Shanghai in the 1920s. Offered menus are mostly based on Guangdong cuisine along with other Chinese regional specialties such as Bejing Duck.

Namdo Bunsik Seochon Branch (남도분식 서촌점)

Namdo Bunsik Seochon Branch (남도분식 서촌점)

739.9566943894581m    5901     2024-02-20

1F, 2 Ogin 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Namdo Bunsik is a snack restaurant that caters to the tastes of the younger generation by adapting regional traditional cuisine. The flagship menu features namdo tteokbokki, an jeukseok tteokbokki (instant tteokbokki) crafted with various ingredients such as pollack, scallions, and radish, with the broth prepared in-house. The spiciness of the tteokbokki can be adjusted from level 1 to level 3. Another popular item is sangchu twigim (deep-fried lettuce), where deep-fried dishes and pickled onions are wrapped in lettuce for consumption.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

749.7137918509575m    154063     2022-12-14

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.

Dongnimmun Yeongcheon Market (독립문영천시장)

750.0481726943481m    0     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.

Olive Young - Jeongdong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 정동)

Olive Young - Jeongdong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 정동)

764.7310902388949m    0     2024-04-22

26, Saemunan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Gwanghwamun Plaza (광화문 광장)

767.794724694393m    196839     2023-11-23

172, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Gwanghwamun Plaza was opened to the public in August 2022 after renovation. Sejong-ro, the main street of Seoul with 600 years of history, has been reborn as a space for historical and cultural experiences by restoring Yukjo Street. Woldae (Elevated Ceremonial Stage) was reconstructed at the entrance of the "Plaza that Recovers the History of Gwanghwamun," and the statue of Haetae, an imaginary animal that judges good and evil, has been restored. In addition, traces of Yukjo Street, the main street of Hanyang in the past, were restored in the ‘Plaza that recreates the scenery of Yukjo Street’ near Sejong-ro Park, with a scale model installed. This is an excellent place for a stroll with beautiful scenery, including Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bugaksan Mountain.

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상)

769.7375224968013m    43805     2024-03-04

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin can be found at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) was a naval commander who served during the Japanese invasion of Korea (also known as Imjin War: 1592-1598). The undefeated admiral achieved 23 victories against the Japanese navy using innovative tactics, and he is thus considered as one of the greatest generals in the history of Korea. Admiral Yi’s likeness can be found on the 100 won coin.

King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상)

King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상)

773.4756613166413m    61398     2024-03-04

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-7713

King Sejong Statue can be found at Seoul’s Gwanghawmun Square. The statue commemorates King Sejong the Great (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450), the fourth king of Joseon (1392-1897). He is thought to be the greatest king in Korean history, for he is credited with great developments in science and technology, expansion of Joseon’s territory, and the creation of the Korean script, [Hangeul]. King Sejong’s likeness can be found on the 10,000 won bill as well. 

Cancelled: Gwanghwamun International Art Festival (광화문국제아트페스티벌)

Cancelled: Gwanghwamun International Art Festival (광화문국제아트페스티벌)

773.4756613166413m    27191     2022-11-14

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-723-9484~7

Gwanghwamun International Art Festival is designed to increase public knowledge and appreciation for the arts and culture. In addition to the art exhibitions, visitors will also be able to enjoy various performances and try different kinds of arts and crafts such as ceramics, silver handicrafts, leather handicrafts, and  more. The festival is also making a continuous effort to deliver more exciting programs and activities for visitors' enjoyment.