Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street (청계천헌책방거리)

2.6Km 2023-12-22

20 Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Walking east along Cheonggyecheon Stream, which flows near Sewoon Plaza, you will see a cluster of small bookstores. Books published 30 to 50 years ago, and various out-of-date magazines are piled up in about ten bookstores. You can indirectly experience the old culture and history that formed the basis of K-content, and sometimes you can also find foreign books. Nearby is Dongdaemun Market, a wholesale market selling various subsidiary materials, and Pyounghwa Market (open from night to early morning), where you can browse clothing fabrics, which are excellent places to visit together.

Gyeongnidan Street (경리단길)

2.6Km 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.

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

2.6Km 2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone stretches from Seorin-dong to Changsin-dong between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jong-ro. It includes Youth Street, Gwangjang Market, Sewoon Electronics Department Store, lighting stores, pharmacy & medical device stores, badge stores, Stamp Street, Stationery · Toy Market, Aquarium Street, Shoes Market, and other markets totalling to approximately 14,000 shops. Nearby attractions include modern high-story buildings as well as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Unhyeongung Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong, merging traditions, modernism, culture, and markets alike.

Thought to be at the heart of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream is located in the dense cultural area of Seoul where various press networks, organizations, bookstores and other major corporations are situated. Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream is a famous activity for tourists. Also, the area is the venue for the Seoul Lantern Festival every winter. Keeping its traditional scene including narrow alleys, old-fashioned hanok buildings and various stores still fully intact, the tourist zone has enough fun places for sightseeing as well as tasty restaurants in every corner for a more enjoyable visit.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

2.6Km 2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Kim Koo Museum & Library (백범김구기념관)

2.6Km 2022-08-30

26, Imjeong-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Kim Koo Museum & Library was built in Yongsan-gu, Seoul to commemorate Baekbeom Kim Koo (1876-1949), a highly respected Korean independence activist. It opened on October 22, 2002 to commemorate Kim Koo's efforts and achievements in Korean history. The main hall is comprised of two floors, exhibiting relics related to his entire life. A statue of a seated Kim Koo is situated in the central space of the first hall.

Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden (남산 야외식물원)

2.6Km 2022-12-16

323, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden opened its doors on February 18, 1997 in Hannam-dong, where the residential complex for foreigners once stood before it was demolished in 1994. Covering an area of around 59 ㎡, it is divided into 13 themed gardens with a total 117,132 plants from 269 species. Among this diversity, 60,912 plants from 129 species are tree types and 56,220 plants from 140 species are grass types.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.6Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

2.6Km 2022-12-29

29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

The War Memorial of Korea, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, exhibits and preserves materials related to the Korean War and serves as a national moral educational venue. It was established on June 10, 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs. The museum houses approximately 33,000 artifacts with about 10,000 on display at indoor and outdoor exhibitions. There are six separate indoor halls, including Expeditionary Forces Room, Patriotic Memorial Room, War History Room, 6·25 Korean War Room, Development Hall and Large Machinery Room. The outdoor exhibition showcases large-sized weapons. Visitors of all ages from children to adults can also participate in 20 various educational programs and diverse cultural events such as military music and honor guard events, drawing contest, cultural event and more. The character of War Memorial of Korea is ‘Mudori’ featuring a helmet symbolizing the protection of the nation and a bay leaf meaning peace.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

2.6Km 2025-06-30

266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most well-known markets. It was founded in December 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia and has maintained that status for the last 40 years. Browsing the plethora of shops, you can find fabric and clothing following all the latest global fashion trends. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex continues to build up its reputation as a hub of international design.

The Museum of Medicine (서울대학교병원의학박물관)

2.6Km 2024-03-18

101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Museum of Medicine is located in the building of the former Daehan Medical Center, the oldest modern hospital in Korea. It is a medical museum that provides a comprehensive view of the development of modern medicine in Korea, the history of medical devices, and the transformation of Seoul National University Hospital. Through permanent and special exhibitions, the museum showcases medical artifacts and documents related to the history of medicine.

Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street (청계천헌책방거리) - Area information - Korea travel information