Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

10.2Km 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.

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

10.2Km 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.

Sosohan Punggyeong (소소한 풍경)

10.2Km 2024-02-20

75 Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sosohan Punggyeong is the first restaurant that received the restaurant guide, Blue Ribbon Survey, in Korea. It is located in a renovated house with a courtyard. They offer a course menu featuring appetizers to desserts. One of the signature dishes is the gaji jjim (spicy eggplant soup), a dish made with eggplant and meat. It is recommended to make reservations in advance, as many guests prefer to book ahead.

GS25 - Junggu Toegye Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (GS25중구퇴계점)

10.2Km 2024-06-27

180, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Gamagol (가마골)

10.2Km 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.

Youngpoong Bookstore - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (영풍문고 종로점)

10.2Km 2024-04-18

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Youngpoong Bookstore - Jongno Branch (영풍문고-종로점)

10.2Km 2020-02-21

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1522-2776

Along with books, Youngpoong Bookstore sells gifts, small electronics, stationery and much more. It also hosts various recitals, book signings, and literary programs. The Jongno branch of Youngpoong is the nation’s largest bookstore, boasting a total area of over 10,600 meters square.

The basement level of the store houses over 350,000 Korean and international books and there is also a customer service center and electronic search program where shoppers can find information on books.

On the B2 floor is the “Stylish Gift Mall,” which houses various stationery items, gifts, accessories, and brand shops like Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung Digital.There is also a CD section, healthcare section, diaries, home-décor items, luxury fountain pens, Hello Kitty section, café, eateries, and much more.

Seoul Christmas Festival (서울 크리스마스 페스티벌)

10.2Km 2021-11-30

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-904-1159

Seoul Christmas Festival takes place at Cheonggye Plaza, the start of Cheonggyecheon Stream. Visitors can enjoy fancy illuminations, a Christmas tree and photo zones. Various events and programs are also prepared for a heartwarming end-of-the-year experience for everybody.

SK Telecom T.um (SK텔레콤 미래기술체험관 T.um(티움))

10.2Km 2024-03-06

65, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6353-6665

SK Telecom T.um is an ICT museum. T.um stands for 'Technology, U-topia, Museum'. It boasts a wide array of experience technologies such as 5G autonomous vehicles, drones, flying cars, artificial intelligence, big data, virtual reality, augmented reality, robots, Internet of Things, and 3D printing. Visitors can also see the future city based on 5G. Reservations are required online.

Jaha Sonmandu (자하손만두)

10.2Km 2024-03-06

12 Baekseokdong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-379-2648

Jaha Sonmandu is a mandu specialty restaurant located in Buam-dong. Their signature dish is mandu guk (mandu soup), which features dumplings filled with beef, pork, mung beans, and bean curd, boiled in a clear broth. The chewy mandu skin and the clean-tasting broth, flavored with homemade soy sauce, are highlights of the dish. Housed in a renovated residential building, the restaurant offers a refined yet homey atmosphere for dining. Through the windows, diners can enjoy a refreshing view of Inwangsan Mountain.

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