Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문) - Area information - Korea travel information

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

2.3Km    2024-10-10

288, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1842

Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed essential government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453, and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.

The gate features a hipped roof with five front and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle-shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.

One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period.

Hostel Vanilla2

Hostel Vanilla2

2.3Km    2021-04-09

34-8, Jong-ro 57-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-9945-1944

Hostel Vanilla 2 is a guesthouse in a residential house located in Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The 2-story house has 9 cozy rooms. Over 90% of the guests are from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Japan, and most of them are in their twenties. Since it is within a 10-minute walk from Dongdaemun Design Plaza, most guests – particularly those who came to Korea to shop during their tour - stay there for three or four days. All the guestrooms are for two and are kept clean at all times. The guesthouse provides free luggage storage service even after the guest has checked out, which is very convenient to the shoppers. Because the guests are young, the guesthouse owner communicates with the guests through various social network services and apps.

Lemiel Plastic Surgery [Tax Refund Shop] (르미엘성형외과의원)

Lemiel Plastic Surgery [Tax Refund Shop] (르미엘성형외과의원)

2.3Km    2024-06-27

120, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

2.3Km    2025-06-19

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the future King Taejo and founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location to the north, comparied to Changdeokgung Palace in the east and Gyeonghuigung Palace in the west. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. Many Joseon kings were crowned here. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong. The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, however, resulted in Gyeongbokgung Palace losing its function as a royal palace, eventually witnessing the downfall of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. The sculptures in the Geunjeongjeon Hall exemplify Joseon-era sculpture techniques. The west side of the area outside Heungnyemun Gate is occupied by the National Palace Museum of Korea, while the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion within the Gyeongbokgung Palace is occupied by the National Folk Museum of Korea.

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

2.3Km    2025-07-29

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1522-2295

The K-Royal Culture Festival is held at the five Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. The festival first began in 2014 and provides visitors with first-hand knowledge of these important cultural heritages through unique performances, exhibitions, experiences and programs. The festival expanded in 2021 to be hosted twice a year, in spring and in fall.

Sewoon Plaza (세운전자상가(세운전자플라자))

Sewoon Plaza (세운전자상가(세운전자플라자))

2.3Km    2023-11-23

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2271-2344

Sewoon Plaza, also known as Sewoon Electronics Plaza, was famous for electronic goods as the sole electronics shop before Yongsan Electronics Department Store was built. The scale doesn’t meet that of Yongsan Mall but its location in the heart of downtown Seoul as well as their 10 years of fame have worked to keep a strong customer base.

The department store is divided into two buildings along Cheonggyecheon-ro. Most of the electornics are available on the first building. On the first floor, home and lifestyle electronic goods including irons, hair dryers, telephones, razors as well as gas stoves, various heaters, kitchen tools and more are sold. On the second floor, visitors can find televisions, fridges, laundry machines, audio & video devices. On the third floor, newlyweds can buy their electronic goods and appliances for the kitchen. Also, computers and related devices and parts are available on the fourth floor. The price range here is relatively cheaper than the regular consumer price.

Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

2.3Km    2024-10-25

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Makercity Sewoon is Korea's first comprehensive electronics market, established in 1968 and has a 40-year history. As a mecca in the urban electronics industry area located in Jongno, the center of Seoul, you can purchase various electronic products here.
Since 2014, Seoul's urban regeneration project has been underway, and a pedestrian overpass, rooftop observatory, plaza, and Makers Cube, where you can experience the 4th industrial revolution, have been created to provide unique attractions.

Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

2.3Km    2025-06-18

38-13 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-6526

Imun Seolnongtang has been serving its hearty seolleongtang for over a hundred years since it first opened in 1907. Even its name has a long history: the word imun comes from Imun-gol, the now-obsolete name of the restaurant’s location, and seolnongtang, an old variation of the word seolleongtang. During the Japanese colonial rule, the restaurant’s regular customers included Gijeong Son, the marathon gold-medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The meal served at this restaurante is reputed to stay consistent from the Japanese colonial period. 

Harmony Mart - Insa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하모니마트 인사)

Harmony Mart - Insa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하모니마트 인사)

2.3Km    2024-04-17

1F (Gwanhun-dong), 38, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

2.3Km    2024-05-16

Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2290-7111

Cheonggye Plaza was built on Sejong-ro Street, where Cheonggyecheon Stream begins. It was built between Dong-A Ilbo, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Sindap Railroad Bridge, with a length of 160 meters, a x_width of 50 meters, and a total area of 6,962 meters squared. The plaza is decorated with fountains, waterfalls, and walking paths. It was created as a place for meetings, harmony, peace, and unification, to celebrate the significance of the restoration of Cheonggyecheon Stream. A miniaturized version of Cheonggyecheon Stream is displayed here, providing an overview of the restored stream. There are also interpretive panels about the 22 bridges that cross Cheonggyecheon stream. Fountains of various shapes create beautiful scenery. Cheonggyecheon Stream is accessible from the square through stairs on the left and Cheonggye Trail on the right. There is also an 18-meter tunnel on the Cheonggye Trail, providing a unique experience for citizens entering Cheonggyecheon Stream from the plaza. After constructing Cheonggyecheon Plaza, the Seoul Metropolitan Government made it a car-free street on public holidays so that the plaza, waterside area, and streets could be used as cultural spaces for citizens to relax. A spectacular sight is created by three-color lights illuminating the fountains and a two-tiered waterfall coming down from a x_height of four meters. Palseokdam, made of eight stones from eight provinces in Korea, was laid along the waterfall's sides.