Dongnimmun Gate (독립문) - Area information - Korea travel information

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

16.7Km    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.

Welcome Daehakro (웰컴대학로)

16.7Km    2024-10-08

104 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-743-5220

Welcome Daehakro is a festival devoted to celebrating various types of performances including non-verbal, traditional, musical, plays, and more. Started in 2017, the festival attracts visitors from around the world every fall.

Heroes of Independence Look at the Stars (독립의 영웅, 별을 보다)

16.8Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 서대문구 통일로 251 (현저동)

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

16.8Km    2024-12-04

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.

Seoul Daehan Hospital (서울 대한의원)

16.8Km    2021-12-23

101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1842

Daehanuiwon (Daehan Medical Center) is an antique two-story brick building within the grounds of Seoul National University Hospital. It was established under the direct administration of the Uijeongbu (State Council), combining the Gwangjewon (under the Home Ministry), Gyeongseong Medical School and the Korean Red Cross Hospital (under the Royal Household). Built in the Madubong Hill area, this location where Hamchunwon, the outer garden of Changgyeonggung Palace, once stood in 1484 (15th year of King Seongjong), was also once the site of Gyeongmogung Palace, where King Jeongjo enshrined the mortuary tablet of his birth father Crown Prince Sado Seja in 1776 (the year King Jeongjo ascended to the throne).

These places that held importance for the royal family were destroyed as the Japanese built Gyeongseong Empire University in its place. In 1907, with the announcement of the plan to establish Daehan Medical Center, construction began on the main building, seven wards and affiliated buildings. Construction was completed in November 1908.

The Daehan Medical Center opened in Gwangjewon, but upon Japanese colonization in 1910, its name was changed to the Japanese Viceroyalty Hospital. In 1926, it was included as a part of Gyeongseongjeguk University to become a university hospital. Since the liberation of Korea in 1945, it has been a hospital affiliated with Seoul National University.

Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

16.8Km    2021-09-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kan in the front and 2 kan (traditional unit of measurement of the space between pillars) to the sides. It originally belonged to the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, but came to be considered a part of Changdeokgung Palace in more recent years.

The hall was constructed in 1846 (12th year of King Heonjong’s reign) and it is collectively called Nakseonjae together with the adjacent Seokbokheon Hall and Sugangjae Hall.

Behind the building is a flower garden made of stacked large stones. The chimney, the flowers, and the oddly shaped stones harmoniously blend into one another to create an outstanding landscape gardening.

Korea Etiquette Institute (한국예절문화원)

16.8Km    2022-07-08

43 , Gajaeul-ro 4-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-391-1988

Korea Etiquette Institue is dedicated to observing, researching, developing and passing down Korea's etiquette. Education programs are also available.

Olive Young - Bukgajwa-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 북가좌동)

16.8Km    2024-04-22

191, Geobukgol-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

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Shear Madness(쉬어 매드니스)

16.8Km    2025-06-10

서울특별시 종로구 동숭길 55 (동숭동)

Daehangno (University Street) (대학로)

16.8Km    2021-03-25

104, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1114

Daehangno is an artistic neighborhood that stretches 1.1 kilometers from Jongno 5-ga Intersection to Hyehwa-dong Rotary. The area is filled with culture and performing arts facilities, with the center of all this being Marronnier Park. Visitors can find performances taking play every day at the many theaters large and small, as well as restaurants serving a range of cuisines. The area is especially active on weekends and during the street festival period.