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

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

18.0Km    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.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

18.0Km    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.

Gwacheon Wildflower Nature Learning Center (과천야생화자연학습장)

18.0Km    2023-07-17

118, Gyoyugwon-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

Gwacheon Wildflower Nature Learning Center was opened to provide a place to learn about nature and harmony. The area is 6,900㎡ and has approximately 112 species of wildflowers. The learning center is divided into sections according to the type and use of wildflowers. The learning center also houses a traditional tightrope walking education center. Korean tightrope walking is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The site offers an educational tightrope walking experience program for those interested. 

The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

18.0Km    2022-12-29

29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-709-3144

The War Memorial of Korea, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, exhibits and preserves materials related to the Korean War and serves as a national moral educational venue. It was established on June 10, 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs. The museum houses approximately 33,000 artifacts with about 10,000 on display at indoor and outdoor exhibitions. There are six separate indoor halls, including Expeditionary Forces Room, Patriotic Memorial Room, War History Room, 6·25 Korean War Room, Development Hall and Large Machinery Room. The outdoor exhibition showcases large-sized weapons. Visitors of all ages from children to adults can also participate in 20 various educational programs and diverse cultural events such as military music and honor guard events, drawing contest, cultural event and more. The character of War Memorial of Korea is ‘Mudori’ featuring a helmet symbolizing the protection of the nation and a bay leaf meaning peace.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

18.0Km    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.

Yongsan Family Park (용산가족공원)

18.0Km    2022-12-15

185, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-792-5660

Visitors to Yongsan Family Park can enjoy a relaxing time at a big grassy field beside a refreshing pond and well-organized walking paths. Yongsan Family Park spans an area of roughly 89,256.20 ㎡ in what was a section of the former golf course of the Eighth US Army Division. The park is comprised of various facilities such as a 2km-walking path, a natural education site, and Taegeukgi Park. Visitors can watch and feed pigeons and wild pheasants living at the park.

Subaru (스바루)

Subaru (스바루)

18.0Km    2017-02-01

7, Bangbae-ro 42-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-596-4882

Subaru is operated by a chef who lived in Japan and was attracted by Japanese-style soba. He serves tasty soba based on his experience in a modest restaurant.

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

18.0Km    2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Lotte Mart - ToysRus Pyeongchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데마트 토이저러스평촌점)

Lotte Mart - ToysRus Pyeongchon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데마트 토이저러스평촌점)

18.1Km    2024-04-19

20, Simin-daero 160beon-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

-

Four Points by Sheraton Josun Seoul Station (포포인츠 바이 쉐라톤 조선 서울역)

Four Points by Sheraton Josun Seoul Station (포포인츠 바이 쉐라톤 조선 서울역)

18.1Km    2022-06-09

366 , Hangang-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6070-7000

Four Points by Sheraton Josun Seoul Station is a modern and casual hotel for travelers. This business hotel has various types of rooms, a restaurant, fitness center, meeting room, coin laundry, business corner, and more. It is connected to Seoul Station Exit 12 and located near the Airport Railway, KTX, and Seoul Subway Lines 1 and 4.