Pureun Arboretum & Hang-dong Railroad (푸른수목원&항동철길)

8.8Km 2025-01-17

240 Yeondong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul

Pureun Arboretum is a botanical garden boasting well-established ecological parks and scenic walking trails. It encompasses diverse themed gardens, including the Wildflower Garden, Hydrangea Garden, Conifer Garden, Broadleaf Tree Garden, Bulbous Plant Garden, Wetland Garden, and Rose Garden, complemented by an Visitor Center. The Forest Learning School, functioning as a greenhouse, showcases plants from various corners of the globe and hosts educational programs. Visitors can avail themselves of facilities like the book café, a café, and a library. Additionally, the arboretum is intersected by the abandoned railroad tracks of Hang-dong.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

8.8Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.