Gwangjang Market Hanbok Shops (광장시장 한복매장)

1.7Km 2019-09-16

88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-0291

Unlike many other traditional markets, Kwangjang Market has preserved its rich history and maintained the feel of a traditional market, shying away from modernization. Operated by kind-hearted merchants that embody the warmth of the Korean people, the market is a great place to eat delicious food and purchase various items at inexpensive prices.

Hanbok shops in Kwangjang Market focus on traditional hanbok rather than modernized hanbok, which are said to be more practical than their traditional counterpart. Beautiful hanbok are available at 30% off their average asking price.

Seoul Jungbu Market (서울중부시장)

1.7Km 2022-09-13

35, Eulji-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-5617

At Jungbu Market, a wide assortment of dried food such as laver, seaweed, anchovies, yellow corbinas, squid, pollack, and dried filefish fillets are available at low prices. Known for both wholesale and retail sales, Jungbu Market offers goods at prices 20-30% lower than those found at other markets.

Each store only sells one or two types of seafood products, allowing for easy price comparison and top quality goods. Popular products include dried filefish fillets, laver, and Pollack. As of late, processed food has also started to make its way into the market.

Unhyeongung Royal Residence (서울 운현궁)

1.7Km 2024-03-04

464, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-9090

Located near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace was a residence of royalty in Joseon period. It was the place where Gojong (1582-1919, reign 1864-1907), king of Joseon (1392-1897) and emperor of the Korean Empire (1897-1910), was born in, as well as the place where Heungseon Daewongun (1821-1898), his father, had resided in. Buildings include Noandang Hall, Norakdang Hall, and Irodang Hall. The Royal Residence offers programs like traditional weddings and traditional culture experiences, while the exhibition hall showcases Joseon-era artifacts.

National Theater of Korea (국립극장)

1.7Km 2024-03-06

59, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2280-4114

The National Theater of Korea opened in 1950 as the first national theater in Asia. It is the only production theater that takes traditional arts to recreate them as contemporary art. It offers various types of theaters, such as Haeoreum Grand Theater, Daloreum Theater (middle-size), Immersive Studio ByeolByeol (small-size), and Haneul Round Theater with a circular stage structure. In addition, the Museum of Performing Arts, Cultural Plaza, and other convenience stores and coffe shops offer pleasure and relax to its visitors.

Moonguesthouse(문게스트하우스)

1.7Km 2024-06-20

31-18, Samil-daero 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-745-8008, +82-10-8704-9981

The Moon Guesthouse is situated near a number of interesting tourist destinations including Unhyeongung Palace (3min on foot), Bukchon Hanok Village (5min on foot), Changdeokgung Palace (5min on foot), and Changgyeonggung Palace (10min on foot). The guesthouse was named ‘moon’ (‘door’ in English) because it has many 176 doors and windows. Upon entering by the gate, visitors will see a ‘ㄷ’-shaped hanok building in the courtyard, in which a wooden bedstead and a table are placed. On the opposite of the hanok building there is a wall roofed with tiles engraved with Korean patterns such as deer, pine, turtle, etc. Flowers in the flowerbed lined up along the wall are in bloom and the bonsai are also well-kept in the house. Renovated and opened as a guesthouse in September 2011, Moon Guesthouse consists of a bonchae (main building) and a byeolchae (detached house). The rooms are decorated with red clay and hanji (traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees), and have under-the-floor heating (ondol). Each room is equipped with an air-conditioner, and has a 40cm-thick layer of red clay over the ceiling for insulation, making the rooms cool in summer and warm in winter. The house has seven individual guestrooms and five modern bathrooms, but the entire building (bonchae or byeolchae) can be rented, too. In particular, the unhyeondang of the bonchae is very popular as it can be converted into one large space for special events, group workshops, etc. simply by opening all the sliding doors (Bunhapmun – Goryeo construction style). This room, which is decorated with a flower-patterned windscreen, a landscape painting, and calligraphy, has been used as a shooting location for various TV programs including KBS2’s TV reality program Man’s Qualification and its variety show The Human Condition. The guestrooms are also equipped with traditional furniture including a cabinet inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The guesthouse also provides a variety of experience programs from 11am to 3pm, including tea ceremony, wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes), making kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste), playing a traditional musical instrument, making a rubbing of a stone inscription, calligraphy, drawing orchids on a fan, and so on. The house has about seventy hanbok and other clothing accessories, as well as a royal costume. Its calligraphy and drawing orchid programs are run directly by the owner, who used to work as a classical Chinese teacher at a high school.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

1.7Km 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.

Bangsan Wholesale Market (방산 종합시장)

1.7Km 2024-10-30

20, Dongho-ro 37-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2268-6691

Bangsan Market is a wholesale market with approximately 250 stores that sells packaging and promotional materials. The market was popular with patissiers in the past and is currently more famous for being a bakery street.

Travelodge Dongdaemun (트레블로지 동대문 호텔)

1.7Km 2021-07-13

359, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2160-8888

Travelodge Dongdaemun is located in the heart of Seoul, surrounded by popular tourist attrctions. The hotel provides services that suit the needs of both leisure and business travelers alike at an affordable price. Dongdaemun is a popular fashion district where tradition and modern cultures meet. Several tourist attractions are located within 10 to 15 minutes via public transportation from the hotel, such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Cheonggyecheon Stream, Heunginjimun Gate, Insa-dong and the royal palaces.

National Meteorological Museum of Korea (국립기상박물관)

1.8Km 2024-03-26

52 Songwol-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

A museum where one can look at Korea's meteorological observation history and technological development through exhibitions. The museum has the world's first rain gauge, invented in 1441, in the early Joseon dynasty. The museum operates approximately 350 meteorological observatories across Korea and focuses on promoting the uniqueness and excellence of Korea's meteorological science. There are permanent collections and special exhibitions. The permanent collections focus on the history of meteorological science in Korea. At the same time, the special exhibitions take a closer look at the history and information about meteorological science and natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes) that occurred in various regions of Korea. There are experience programs related to meteorological science, such as making a rain gauge or learning about rain gauges.

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

1.8Km 2022-10-05

157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4806, +82-2-6011-1067

Jongmyodaeje, Korea’s Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual that has been recognized with many important designations. It is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol, the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city.

Jongmyodaeje originated as a royal ancestral ritual to honor the past kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty. During the Joseon era, the ritual was held five times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December) until it was abolished by Japanese colonial rule. In 1969, Jongmyodaeje was reinstated and has been held in May every year since.

Jongmyo Shrine, the destination of the procession, was the setting of ceremonial rituals during the Joseon dynasty. Originally, Jongmyo only referred to Jeongjeon (Main Hall) where the memorial tablets of Joseon’s reigning kings and queens are enshrined. Today, however, Jongmyo also encompasses Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) where the tablets of posthumous kings and queens are enshrined and Gongsindang (Hall of Meritorious Subjects) where the tablets of esteemed ministers of the state are kept.

Gwangjang Market Hanbok Shops (광장시장 한복매장) - Area information - Korea travel information