Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

9.3Km    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.

Lagidang [Korea Quality] / 락이당 [한국관광 품질인증]

9.3Km    2024-08-27

121, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1358-3701

Lagidang is a foreigner-only guesthouse in the heart of Bukchon Hanok Village in Jeongno-gu, Seoul. Public transportation links are good, with Exit 3 of Anguk Subway Station just a seven-minute walk away. The house has a fine view over Bukchon Hanok Village, and early-rising guests will also catch the sunrise in the south-eastern sky. The guesthouse is decorated with art works and Joseon-period antiques. 

Jangchung Jokbal (장충족발)

Jangchung Jokbal (장충족발)

9.3Km    2024-10-15

31, Noryangjin-ro 16-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-816-9824

Jokbal (pig’s feet) is a representative food loved by Koreans. The best menu at this restaurant is braised pigs' feet. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

9.3Km    2021-09-15

29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-2038

Gyeonggyojang House, a designated Historic Site, was the location of the provisional government and the place where Baekbeom Kim Koo passed away. Seoul reproduced the historical site, Gyeonggyojang House, to use the area as an educational site. Also, the house exhibits the history of the provisional government in order to see the history more clearly.

Restoration work included the demolition of the interior that was changed when the building was turned into a hospital facility and embassy after Kim Koo passed away in 1949. During the work, the remaining parts were maintained with the utmost care. Reconstructed parts were based on the building's floor plan written in Chosun and Architecture (8th edition in 1938). Visitors can see various contents related to the Korean Provisional Government history through relics, video, and information searching corners.

Iljasan Mountain Natural Park (일자산자연공원)

Iljasan Mountain Natural Park (일자산자연공원)

9.3Km    2021-04-23

660, Dongnam-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

Iljasan Mountain is the tallest peak in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, providing the western boundary between Gangdong-gu and Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Iljasan Mountain is one of the best spots in Seoul to watch the sunrise. Located on the mountain is the house of Master Lee Jip (pen-name Dunchon), providing a good getaway spot for local residents. Lee Jip was a loyal government official during the reign of King Gongmin during the late Goryeo dynasty. He was forced to move to an underground tunnel in the southwest side of Iljasan Mountain to avoid entrapment by Shin Don, a person of influence at the time. While living in hiding, he took the pen-name Dunchon (meaning drawing back to the countryside) to symbolize the hardships he was going through. The nearby area was named after him, being called Dunchon-dong.

Gamagol (가마골)

Gamagol (가마골)

9.3Km    2021-03-26

63, Godeok-ro 38-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3426-6460

It is famous for Samgyeopsal (pork belly) grilled on the lid of the pot. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly.

DAHMSOJUNG[Korea Quality] / 담소정[한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

DAHMSOJUNG[Korea Quality] / 담소정[한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

9.3Km    2025-01-06

16-2, Bukchon-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
010-3749-9550

Dahmsojung, meaning ‘a house full of laughs’, is a hanok guesthouse that provides sincere services and comfortable relaxation. Located in the middle of Seoul’s city center, this hanok hotel-class guesthouse was built using traditional hanok construction materials including the 200-years-old Korean land pine from Gyeongju, and clay for rooms. The owner originally bought the land to build the residential area for the family, but wishing to promote the charms of the hanok building to foreigners, it was opened as a guesthouse in October 2012. This hanok guesthouse with modern elements is decorated with refined interior items. It provides a special breakfast that consists of steamed rice wrapped in a lotus leaf and tasty side dishes without any artificial seasonings. All the vegetables used for the meals are organic and cultivated by the owner. It also uses refined objects including high quality tableware, bedding (cotton bedclothes with colored stripes), authentic ceramics, lacquered painting by an artisan, and artistic living items. It carries out a cleaning and disinfection process every day as well. In particular, Hinoki cypress with a subtle scent was used for the bathroom. The home bar was installed especially for foreign guests who find it difficult to sit on the floor in the kitchen. These detailed consideration and decorations have attracted many guests including foreign diplomats, VIPs, and so on. It also operates a hands-on programs including ‘calligraphy’ and ‘making a fan’ that are held on the main floored room and are popular among foreign guests. Dahmsojung offers guests sophisticated services and comfortable facilities with a clean and traditional atmosphere that attracts many domestic and foreign guests.

Lunette Eyewear - Mapo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (루네뜨안경 마포)

Lunette Eyewear - Mapo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (루네뜨안경 마포)

9.3Km    2024-04-17

1F, 24, Dohwa-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Cancelled: Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival (서울대공원 장미원축제)

Cancelled: Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival (서울대공원 장미원축제)

9.3Km    2022-05-30

102, Daegongwongwangjang-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-500-7335, 7337

Seoul Grand Park Rose Festival is held at Gwacheon Seoul Grand Park's Themed Garden every May when the roses are in bloom.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul] (국립현대미술관 서울관)

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul] (국립현대미술관 서울관)

9.3Km    2023-06-23

30, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-9500

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) opened in 2013 as a city venue of the MMCA, which opened in 1986 in Gwacheon. The museum site was where many of Korea’s historical and political developments were achieved, both during the Joseon dynasty and after the Korean War. The Seoul venue of MMCA stands out from other museums through its use of Korea’s traditional architectural concept of "madang," a spacious courtyard where people can come and gather to socialize. The exterior of the building stands in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Inside, the museum is equipped with many facilities, including a reference center, project gallery theater, and multipurpose hall. MMCA Seoul strives to accommodate every mode of new artistic endeavor and to communicate with the public.