Yeonnam-dong (연남동)

7.6Km 2024-03-19

Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Yeonnam-dong, located near Hongik University Station, has become a hot spot in Seoul as young artists and hipsters gather. It is densely packed with art spaces, and every alley is filled with unique concept cafés and many restaurants. There are also many guesthouses, editorial shops, and fashion stores, along with Yeontral Park, which was transformed from the old Gyeongui Line railroad into a park.

Cheongun Literature Library (청운문학도서관)

7.7Km 2023-08-16

40 , Jahamun-ro 36-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheongun Literature Library is located at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain and can be reached by following the mountain's walking trail starting from Changuimun Gate along the fortress wall. This public hanok library is designed in consideration of the sloped topography and the natural scenery of Inwangsan Mountain. The library consists of two floors: an underground floor and a ground floor. While the ground floor is designed as a traditional hanok, the underground floor is made of concrete to support the hanok building and the spacious outdoor yard. By implementing the natural slope in the library's design, the underground southern entrance is exposed, allowing sunlight to enter. The underground floor features a wide collection of books while the ground floor serves as a place for reading. The natural environment surrounding the library adds to the hanok building's traditional and peaceful charms.

Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

7.7Km 2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Seoul Battleship Park (서울함공원)

7.7Km 2025-07-14

407 Maponaru-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Seoul Battleship Park is the city's first-ever battleship-themed park established through a sisterhood relationship with the city of Seoul and by using three retired vessels - Seoul-ham, Chamsuri, and a submarine - that had retired after serving the mission of protecting Korea's waters for 30 years. The three vessels whose original appearances have been preserved intact offer unique exhibits and entertainment and aim to present a special experience to citizens who visit Seoul Hangang Park through new and exciting things to see and enjoy.

Always August Roasters (올웨이즈 어거스트 로스터스)

7.8Km 2025-08-20

19 Mangwon-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Located near Mangwon Market, this cafe is sandwiched between tranquil residential buildings, so it is a good place to enjoy a cup and some desserts in peace. The joint serves great coffee and desserts, which go even better together. Its placement on the first floor means that one can get some sun and feel the tranquil atmosphere of Mangwon-dong, a different side of Seoul as a city. Note that this place also offers alcoholic beverages in the form of wine, so if you are up for a longer stay, you can indulge in the wine card curated by the management.

Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

7.8Km 2024-03-18

75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Jjimjjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that combines a traditional bathhouse with a hot steam room, is often ranked high among the unique experiences in Korea chosen by foreigners. Taking a steam bath in a charcoal kiln discharges waste products from the skin through sweat and eliminates accumulated fatigue. Supsok Hanbang Land has several charcoal kilns for different temperatures. Using them in order from low to high-temperature rooms is good, but the highest-temperature room, “Kkottang,” has a risk of causing skinburn, so visitors are advised to wear socks and cotton gloves to enter the room. Another unique experience is to grill sweet potatoes or rice cakes on the brazier in front of the charcoal kiln.

Mangwon Market (망원시장)

7.8Km 2025-07-11

27 Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Mangwon Market is one of the representative traditional markets of Seoul. Its proximity to both Mangnidan Street and Hangang Park makes it a great place to do some shopping in preparation for a riverside picnic. The market isn’t very large, but it is packed with delicious treats. One can find classics like the deep-fried and braised chicken, braised pigs' feet, crispy deep-fried green chili pepper, and other snack fare there, along with stores offering food and lifestyle items for some browsing.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

7.8Km 2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

7.8Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

Mangnidan Street (망리단길)

7.9Km 2025-05-20

Poeun-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Mangnidan Street is located near Poeun-ro, which can be reached in about 6 to 8 minutes of leisurely walk toward Mangwon Hangang Park from Exit 2 of Mangwon Station on Subway Line 6. Its name comes from the combination of Mangwon-dong and the Gyeongnidan Street in Itaewon, meaning the “Gyeongnidan Street of Mangwon-dong.” There are a variety of restaurants, cafes, dessert shops, and other small shops, each with their own charm, making it a great place to take the kids shopping or just get some rest. This place is quite close to Mangwon Market, so visitors can stop by the market if time allows. Another way to fit this area into the itinerary is as a pit stop for desserts or some shopping before heading to Mangwon Hangang Park.

Yeonnam-dong (연남동) - Area information - Korea travel information