Tapgol Park (탑골공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Tapgol Park (탑골공원)

Tapgol Park (탑골공원)

3.7Km    2024-03-04

99, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-731-0534

Tapgol Park is the first modern park in Seoul. Having been the site of the Buddhist temple of Wongaksa Temple since 1467, the land was turned into a park in 1897. The park has a significant presence in Korean history, being the place where the March 1 Independence Movement began in 1919. One can find historical sites that hearken back to the struggle, such as the Palgakjeong Pavilion, the center of the movement; cultural heritage sites such as the Ten-story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple Site and the Stele for the Construction of Daewongaksa Temple at Wongaksa Temple Site; and monuments such as the independence movement relief plate, murals, the statue of Son Byeong-hee, and the statue of Han Yong-un.

Seongbukro (성북로)

Seongbukro (성북로)

3.7Km    2024-02-15

1-2F, 10 Seongbuk-ro 28-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Seongbukro is a café located 15 minutes away from the UNESCO World Heritage site Changdeokgung Palace. With an elegant atmosphere, the café is structured with three floors and a rooftop. The signature menu is the mandarin latte, featuring a refreshing taste with plenty of tangerines in milk. Additionally, the café is known for making desserts on-site, following the principle of selling them on the same day they are produced. Signature desserts include croissants with milk cream and mont blanc.

Haengbokan Kongiyagi (행복한콩이야기)

Haengbokan Kongiyagi (행복한콩이야기)

3.7Km    2021-03-22

89-11, Supyo-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2274-2247

A hidden restaurant frequented by workers in Jongno. This restaurant's signature menu is bean sprout and rice soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The Place Seoul (traditional Korean-style guesthouse) / 복합한옥공간 곳

The Place Seoul (traditional Korean-style guesthouse) / 복합한옥공간 곳

3.7Km    2025-03-05

52-11 , Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-3255-1289

The Place Seoul in Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a meeting place of traditional and modern Korea. It has a yard with a beautiful 80 year-old dogwood tree, and a small garden in which guests can enjoy the passage of the seasons. The Place Seoul is an environment-friendly place which uses eco-friendly consumables such as toilet paper and shampoo. Breakfast is simple and healthy. There are many good cafes in nearby Bukchon, and local tourist attractions include the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Pyeongnaeok (평래옥)

Pyeongnaeok (평래옥)

3.7Km    2021-03-22

21-1, Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-5892

This store, which has been around since 1950, always has a long line of customers. A Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles specialty restaurant located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles.

Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi (충무로 쭈꾸미 불고기)

3.7Km    2024-03-11

11, Toegye-ro 31-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2279-0803

Opened in 1976, Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi is Michelin-starred restaurant. Their signature dish is jjukkumi (webfoot octopus), which is marinated in hot seasoning using traditional know-how. Grilled over charcoal with pen shells, it offers a perfect dish. The spicy and sweet jjukkumi goes well with the bean sprout soup. When you're done eating, fry up some rice and enjoy a delicious meal.  

Waple Wood Artwork Place (와플목공방)

Waple Wood Artwork Place (와플목공방)

3.7Km    2024-10-21

5-6 Wangsimni-ro 10-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Interior items made from wood
This workshop is visited by celebrities such as Park Narae of the entertainment program 'I Live Alone' and KAI of EXO. It is also the place where the senior wooden box that appeared in the movie 'PARASITE' was made. You can make your own interior accessories such as chairs and tabletops using hardwood. One-day classes on making ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils are also popular.

Unhyeongung Royal Residence (서울 운현궁)

Unhyeongung Royal Residence (서울 운현궁)

3.7Km    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. 

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

3.7Km    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.

Yejiwon (예지원)

Yejiwon (예지원)

3.7Km    2022-09-19

72, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2253-2211

The Yejiwon is located in Seoul Jung-gu Jangchung-dong and has been offering traditional Korean etiquette education programs since its inception on September 16th, 1974. Furthermore, the Yejiwon also serves to introduce the traditional cultures and living cultures of Korean etiquettes to foreigners.

Most programs offered are short-term classes, and reservations can be made on the homepage up to 15 days in advance. Reservations are only available for groups of 10 or more and classes are instructed in Korean only, so it may be a good idea to be accompanied by a guide.