Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

1.4Km    2024-12-10

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
 SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.
<Credit: Seoul Museum of Craft Art>

Seoul Former Russian Legation (서울 구 러시아공사관)

1.4Km    2020-06-18

21-18, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5882

The Russian Legation was built in a Renaissance style in 1890. Russian architect, A. J. Scredin Sabatine designed the structure. In 1895, during the Joseon dynasty, the Eulmisabyeon Incident took place as a show of force by the Japanese.

Empress Myeongseong-hwanghu was emerging as a strong figure in Korea at a time when a power struggle between Japan, China, Russia, and other powers were taking place. Japanese Minister, Miura Goro saw her as a threat and ordered her assassination. After hearing news of the Empress’s assassination, King Gojong and the Crown Prince sought refuge in the Russian Embassy for one year.

After 1945, the Soviet Union took over the embassy until it was almost completely destroyed by a fire during the Korean War [1950~1953]. The only remaining parts of the building are the tower and basement areas. The building was restored to its current condition in 1973 and is now enjoyed by many as a public park.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

1.4Km    2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Tanello Jewellery [Tax Refund Shop] (타넬로(모두디자인컴퍼니))

1.4Km    2024-04-16

1F, 10, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

The Painters Season 2(페인터즈 시즌2)

1.4Km    2025-04-28

3 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Dongwha Duty Free Shop (동화면세점)

1.4Km    2021-06-04

149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-399-3000

Dongwha Duty Free offers only the world’s best brands for sale. Visitors can shop for the latest popular brands in perfume, cosmetics, accessories, leather goods, and more. Apart from Korean brands and popular imported brands, visitors can also shop for specialty Korean products and folk crafts from all around the world.

Baengnyeon Tojong Samgyetang (백년토종삼계탕)

1.4Km    2021-03-24

41, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-747-5535

This is the place featured on the Michelin Guide. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is ginseng chicken soup.

Uniqlo - Gwanghwamun D Tower Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (유니클로 광화문D타워)

1.4Km    2024-04-17

17, Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

Sosohan Punggyeong (소소한 풍경)

1.4Km    2024-02-20

75 Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sosohan Punggyeong is the first restaurant that received the restaurant guide, Blue Ribbon Survey, in Korea. It is located in a renovated house with a courtyard. They offer a course menu featuring appetizers to desserts. One of the signature dishes is the gaji jjim (spicy eggplant soup), a dish made with eggplant and meat. It is recommended to make reservations in advance, as many guests prefer to book ahead.

Jeongdong-gil Road (정동길)

1.4Km    2024-06-19

2-1 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jeongdong-gil Road is one of Seoul's most famous walking paths, stretching from the intersection in front of Jeongdong Church to Saemunan-gil Road. The street holds importance in Korea's modern history, with the surroundings serving as a living museum of this. During the Joseon dynasty, the area developed into a residental space for distant members of the royal family, with a palace and royal tombs in the area. In 1999, the pedestrian walking area was expanded by turning the two-way road into a one-way road. Since then, the road has earned many awards and honors.