Myeong-dong (명동)

5.9Km 2024-05-17

66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-0333

Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. The two main streets meet in the center of the block with one beginning from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Common products for sale include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold in Myeong-dong. In addition, several major department stores have branches here, including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices.

Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in dongaseu (pork cutlet) and kalguksu (noodle soup). Other businesses in the area include hair salons, banks and theaters.

Gyeongnidan Street (경리단길)

5.9Km 2023-01-18

Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Gyeongnidan Street refers to the 937-meter-long road from the main gate of MND Financial Management Corps to Grand Hyatt Seoul as well as all of the nearby streets and alleys. It is called Gyeongnidan Street because the Korean army's central finance corps, or Gyeongnidan in Korean, used to be located here, and has gained fame for presenting a different vibe than that of Itaewon despite being part of Itaewon-dong. Gyeongnidan Street is an area of culture and youth where people are able to enjoy diverse and special cuisine and dishes at unique restaurants and cafes. Although it resembles a typical neighborhood of Seoul, it features foreigners who have come from many different places around the globe living in natural harmony with Korean locals, which exudes a unique, exotic atmosphere. It is fun to walk along the various streets and alleys to discover novel and sophisticated shops.

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

5.9Km 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.

Myeongdong Guesthouse Como (명동게스트하우스 꼬모)

6.0Km 2024-12-23

12 , Toegye-ro 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5437

Como is a guesthouse in Jongno-gu, Seoul, just 3-minute’s walk away from Myeongdong Station on Line 4. Como is particularly popular with foreign travelers: staff are fluent in English and Chinese, and luggage storage is free of charge. Rooms come in different sizes to cater from single travelers to family groups, and all have a separate bathroom and toilet. Must-see local sights such as Namsan Seoul Tower, Sungnyemun Gate, and Namdaemun Market are easily reached by car or bus.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

6.0Km 2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

Beauty Play (뷰티플레이)

6.0Km 2025-11-14

73 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Beauty Play is a K-beauty experience center operated by the Korea Cosmetics Industry Institute and supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It offers a wide variety of sample Korean beauty products for testing as well as diverse beauty experience programs such as makeup touch-up service (choice of base, eyes, or lips), personal color test, and skin evaluation. Visitors can also ask for product recommendation based on their skin type or skincare concerns. Beauty Play also frequently hosts free one-day classes, which are announced online via its official website. It also hosts a variety of sample product giveaway events and the exhibited products get changed every two months, allowing visitors to get familiarized with lesser known quality products as well.

Namsan Arts Center (남산예술센터)

6.0Km 2021-08-26

138, Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-758-2150

Namsan Arts Center, reopened as a creative space in Seoul in September 2009. It redefined the colors and characteristics of the theater, aiming for a modern theater production center centered on creative premieres, a contemporary performance venue where visitors can feel the pulse of the times, and a theater capable of various experiments.
Namsan Arts Center Drama Center is the first modern folk theater in Korea and the oldest performance hall in which the original architectural form has been preserved. Under the concept of "Contemporary & New Wave," the center continues to produce domestic original plays, and through active exchanges with excellent overseas theaters, build a repertoire of high-quality works that can read domestic and overseas trends, and present contemporary cultural diversity.

Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

6.0Km 2025-07-11

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-1645

In the Joseon dynasty, the royal guards of the palace were gatekeepers who were responsible for guarding the the main gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the main gates of the city such as Heunginjimun Gate and Sungnyemun Gate. The royal guards worked in shift duties and were in charge of opening and closing Gwanghwamun Gate. Before the royal guard system was enforced in 1469, the palace gates were protected by soldiers of the central army. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Gwanghwamun area reenacts the guard-changing procedure that took place during the Joseon dynasty, along with the reproduction of costumes and weapons, based on historical records.

National Hangeul Museum (국립한글박물관)

6.0Km 2022-12-15

139, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2124-6200

The National Hangeul Museum was established to preserve, spread, and develop the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. The museum showcases the history and value of Korean orthography, Korean’s most-valued cultural asset, through exhibitions, activities, and education. Occupying over 11,322 ㎡, the museum has one basement level and three ground levels, along with an outdoor grass field and rest area perfect for cultural events, exhibits, and education.

The museum is comprised of the Hangeul library on the first floor, a permanent exhibition hall, ㅎ Café, and cultural product shop on the second floor, and a planned exhibition hall and Hangeul playground for children and foreigners on the third floor.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

6.0Km 2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Myeong-dong (명동) - Area information - Korea travel information