Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계유산])

2.2Km 2025-07-21

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Insa Art Space (인사미술공간)

2.2Km 2021-02-26

89, Changdeokgung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4722

Insa Art Space was established in 2000 to support artists who are experiencing financial difficulties. In 2005, Art Space started to develop artistic projects and in 2006, the gallery began to provide project consultations, and publishing and marketing, to develop into a stronger self-sufficient gallery. Currently, the gallery provides special exhibitions for artists and independent curators.

Velvet Moon (벨벳문)

2.2Km 2021-03-26

39, Jahamun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-4028-9957

This coffee shop roasts coffee beans directly. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is espresso.

CAPO FOOTBALL STORE[Korea Quality]/카포 풋볼 스토어[한국관광 품질인증]

2.2Km 2024-08-20

282 , Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-10-8922-7981

Located in Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Capo Football store is the largest football store in Korea. It stocks football boots of various levels, plus fan wear, uniforms, and training wear. On the 5th floor, a customer lounge provides free coffee, a football book cafe, a PlayStation for enjoying FIFA games, table soccer, and an exhibition of capo collections.

Migliore - Dongdaemun Branch (밀리오레 (동대문점))

2.2Km 2020-05-12

263, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3393-0293

Migliore is located in Dongdaemun, a shopping district that stretches from Jongno 5(o)-ga Station to Dongdaemun Subway Station. Migliore sells the latest fashion apparel targeted towards the younger generation, with customers in their teens making up 80% of the business. Migliore is a convenient shopping facility that has an enormous variety of products sold at reasonable prices.

Doseong (도성)

2.2Km 2021-03-26

15, Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-8885

Sujebi jjambbong (Korean spicy seafood noodle soup with hand-pulled dough) is also a popular menu. This restaurant's signature menu is noodles in black bean sauce. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Pyounghwa (Pyeonghwa) Fashion Town (서울 평화시장)

2.2Km 2025-01-06

274, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-3531~3

The Pyounghwa Fashion Town market in Dongdaemun has been selling fashion clothing and accessories for over 50 years ever since the end of the Korean War. It was here that in 1953 North Korean refugees started selling clothes made from US army uniforms. Their market was then named Pyounghwa, which means peace, in the hope that no other wars would be fought on Korean soil. The Pyounghwa Fashion Town was therefore the beginning of the 30,000 stores that now make up Dongdaemun Fashion Town, which is seen as one of the global centers of the fashion industry.

Spread over a large area, this historical fashion market is divided into several districts, the ‘Gu Pyounghwa Fashion Town’ is the oldest, and there is also the ‘Shin Pyounghwa Fashion Town’, ‘Dong Pyounghwa Fashion Town’, and ‘Cheong Pyounghwa Fashion Town’.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

2.2Km 2025-06-30

266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2262-0114

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most well-known markets. It was founded in December 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia and has maintained that status for the last 40 years. Browsing the plethora of shops, you can find fabric and clothing following all the latest global fashion trends. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex continues to build up its reputation as a hub of international design.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex (Hanbok Shops) (동대문종합시장 한복상가)

2.2Km 2021-09-15

266, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2262-0114

As one of the largest markets in Asia, Dongdaemun Shopping Complex boasts huge hanbok shops. Most of the major hanbok and fabric distributors are located here. It offers a wide array of hanbok from traditional hanbok to modernized hanbok in addition to accessories and clothing materials. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is a popular spot among international tourists who want to experience traditional Korean culture and purchase various souvenirs.

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

2.2Km 2021-02-24

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information