Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

1.7Km 2025-11-11

Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Songhyeon Green Plaza, located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongno, is a space for culture and rest. The site was formerly used as housing for Shiksan Bank during Japanese rule. After Korea’s liberation, it served as a residence for the US Embassy and military personnel. Later in 1997, it was returned to the Korean government but remained unused for years. In 2022, the ownership was transferred to the Korean House and Land Corporation and then to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which redeveloped it into a green plaza and opened it to the public. Upon entering the plaza, visitors are greeted by a spacious lawn adorned with flowers during the blooming season. The plaza is connected to the nearby tourist attractions through shortcuts cutting through it, including Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insa-dong, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

Of one book and stay (일독일박)

1.7Km 2024-12-23

11-1 , Pirundae-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-504-0904-2340

Ildogilbak in Seochon Village, Seoul, is a private hanok stay that has been stylishly renovated with modern facilities. The bedroom, kitchen and dining room are located around the courtyard. Tired travellers can soak their feet in the small courtyard footbath while sitting on the veranda. There’s a queen size bed in the bedroom, and a large table in the dining room where you can read a book and chat. There is also an attic space where you can fall asleep looking at the stars through a small skylight. The kitchen is well equipped, and there’s a tub in the bathroom.

Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

1.7Km 2022-10-26

24-1, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-2430

The Africa Museum of Art was established with the purpose of hosting various art festivals and providing the grounds for researching various art themes. A major principle of the gallery is to promote works of art that actively attempt to explore the human mind.

Manseon Hof (만선호프)

1.7Km 2024-03-15

19, Eulji-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2274-1040

Located in Euljiro Nogari Alley, Manseon Hof is a beer bar. The place is bustling late at night with people drinking beer and eating snacks like nogari (dried young pollack) and fried chicken at sidewalk tables. It is a great place to enjoy a cold draft beer and grilled dried young pollack dipped in spicy sauce and mayonnaise. Golbaengi muchim (sea snail salad) and gyeran mari (rolled omelet) are also other popular accompaniments.

Hanok Essay Seochon (한옥에세이 서촌)

1.7Km 2024-06-04

12 Pirundae-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The area of Seochon features both traditional elements as well modern, showing the changes over time. A stay in one of the hanok houses here is the perfect way to feel this unique ambiance. Hanok Essay Seochon provides this experience, open to visitors of all ages.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

1.7Km 2025-10-23

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the future King Taejo and founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location to the north, comparied to Changdeokgung Palace in the east and Gyeonghuigung Palace in the west. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. Many Joseon kings were crowned here. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong. The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, however, resulted in Gyeongbokgung Palace losing its function as a royal palace, eventually witnessing the downfall of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. The sculptures in the Geunjeongjeon Hall exemplify Joseon-era sculpture techniques. The west side of the area outside Heungnyemun Gate is occupied by the National Palace Museum of Korea, while the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion within the Gyeongbokgung Palace is occupied by the National Folk Museum of Korea.

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

1.7Km 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.

Boan1942 (보안1942)

1.7Km 2023-08-17

33 , Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of "Boanstay."

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul's historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

Seochon Guest House [Korea Quality] / 서촌게스트하우스 [한국관광 품질인증]

1.7Km 2023-09-05

28-3 , Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-473-9680

Seochon Guest House in Seochon, Jongno, Seoul, consists of a 90 year-old hanok and a two-story Western-style house. A 6-cheop table is provided for meals, and travelers can use the 1st floor rooms and hall at any time. In the yard, Pansori performances are held twice a year, and residents can sample traditional music, wearing hanbok, and making Korean food; the guesthouse’s other name is Pleasure Valley (Jaeminan Gol)! There are programs for visiting Inwangsan-Bukaksan fortress trail, Gyeongbokgung and other royal palaces, and nearby traditional markets.

Jeonjujip (전주집)

1.7Km 2024-10-15

16-15 Supyo-ro, 20-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2278-3311

A store featured several times in Korean gourmet programs. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is kimchi cabbage wraps with pork and oysters.

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장) - Area information - Korea travel information