Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

2.4Km    2025-06-17

68 Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3672-5945

Gilsangsa Temple is a prominent temple located in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The name Gilsangsa means "a favorable and auspicious temple." Visitors can experience temple, participate in Buddhist practices, and even enjoy Templestay programs on weekends. In fall, visitors can admire red spider lilies and wildflowers, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature and finding inner peace.

Pildong Myeonok (필동면옥)

Pildong Myeonok (필동면옥)

2.4Km    2024-03-07

26, Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-2611

Pildong Myeonok specializes in authentic pyeongyang naengmyeon (pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles). Their signature dish is Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles), which has a light and refreshing broth and chewy noodles. Mandu and Mandut guk (Mandu soup) are also popular dishes to go with it. Having been selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul 2023, this restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists alike for its flavorful noodles.

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

2.4Km    2025-07-14

28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the northern side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for locals and tourists to take a leisure walk. Upon entering from the front gate, visitors will get a taste of Korea's traditional life while escaping from bustling city life. The traditional garden with its pavilion and old houses creates a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain. A time capsule commemorating Seoul’s 600th anniversary was buried in 1994 at the highest point of the village and is scheduled to be reopened 400 years later in 2394.

The five hanok premises at Namsangol Hanok Village once belonged to aristocrats and government officials of the Joseon dynasty. Each house was originally located in a different neighborhood, but they were all moved to this area and restored to their original form. The houses were rebuilt using their original materials, except for one house, where the materials were too old and deteriorated to be reused. The premises were carefully restored and replicated according to their original form to depict the owners’ social class and personality. These buildings are now used as an exhibit to portray the living environment during the Joseon dynasty and as a venue for educational and cultural programs for children and tourists.

Some of the unique programs and activities to participate in include wearing hanbok, folding hanji (traditional Korean paper), writing in Korean, traditional tea ceremony, traditional etiquette school, and herbal medicine experience. There are also taekwondo demonstrations and other various performances held around the village. Visitors can also try traditional games such as yunnori (traditional board game), or understand more about the area through a guided tour.

Woomoolzip Changsin Branch (우물집 창신점)

Woomoolzip Changsin Branch (우물집 창신점)

2.4Km    2023-08-29

200, Changsin-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1318-7500

Woomoolzip specializes in hot pot and hot stone pot rice meals. Various vegetables are cooked on oil made after cooking Korean beef brisket for a taste that is sure to please. With a motif of a well, the design of the restaurant fits beautifully with nature. 

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.4Km    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.

Namsan Cable Car (남산 케이블카)

2.4Km    2024-10-25

83 Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2403

Namsan Cable Car provides a panoramic view of downtown Seoul. The cable car has been in operation for over 40 years, taking tourists and residents alike to Namsan Seoul Tower, one of the most representative tourist attractions in the city.

Hillhouse Hotel / 힐하우스 호텔

Hillhouse Hotel / 힐하우스 호텔

2.4Km    2025-03-18

42 , Sogong-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-8135

Hill House Hotel is a business hotel at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Seoul. Free internet is available in all rooms, and there is a shared microwave on the first floor. A free luggage storage service is provided for customers’ convenience. Nearby transport links include Hoehyeon subway station, Seoul Station, and Myeongdong subway station, so this is a good base for exploring downtown Seoul. Namsan Park, N Seoul Tower and Namdaemun Market are all within walking distance.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.5Km    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.

Seoul Namsan Gugakdang (서울 남산국악당)

Seoul Namsan Gugakdang (서울 남산국악당)

2.5Km    2021-08-02

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2261-0500

Seoul Namsan Gukakdang was established by Seoul Metropolitan Government as a representative traditional art-centered performance hall in 2007. It is comprised of one ground and two basement levels. The performance hall is located on the basement floor with 300 seats, equipped with facilities that deliver pansori sounds and gayageum music to every seat. Visitors can make a reservation at the Namsangol Hanok Village website.