Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문) - Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

Explanation

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

Inquiry

+82-2-3700-3900

Homepage

www.junggu.seoul.kr

Information Use

Contact and Information : • 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-3700-3900,
+82-2-3700-3901,
+82-2-3396-5842

Parking facilities : Not available

Day off : N/A (Open all year round)

Hours : Open 24 hr

More information

Admission Fees
Free

Restrooms
Not available

Interpretation Services Offered
Not available

Location

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Directions