Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원)

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원)

2.8Km    2024-11-27

281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is a park established on the former site of the Dongdaemun Stadium. It serves as a thematic park showcasing the history and culture of Seoul, while also providing a space to experience modern design and culture. During the park's development in 2008, numerous artifacts from the Joseon dynasty, including The Two Floodgates, the Chiseong Castle, Military Training Agency, and over 1,000 relics from the Joseon era, were excavated. Alongside the park, there is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and the Relic area.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.8Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

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.

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

2.8Km    2023-08-17

185-3, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 옥인동

Suseong-dong Valley's stream runs down from Inwangsan Mountain and joins Cheonggyecheon Stream, and it is said that the name of the village was called Suseong-dong during the Joseon dynasty due to the loud and clear sound of the flowing water. It appears in the painting "Jangdong Palgyeongcheop," which is Jangdong Eight Scenic Views, that depicts the eight scenic views of Bugaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain as well as in other historical books of the Joseon dynasty as a place of scenic beauty. The valley was so famous for its beauty, that Prince Anpyeong of the Joseon dynasty built his house "Bihaedang" to fully enjoy the view, and the valley and its stone bridge were designated as a cultural property of Seoul in 2010. 

Medical Avenue ((주)메디컬애비뉴)

2.8Km    2025-10-23

(#1433, Mapo T Town), 144 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Since its inception in 2014, Medical Avenue has been a leading medical agency, providing world-class healthcare services in Korea to patients from around the globe. Our deep understanding of patients' cultural backgrounds and the Korean medical system allows us to minimize language and cultural barriers through the support of professional interpreters and multicultural coordinators. This dedication has resulted in over 5,000 patients receiving stable treatment with a satisfaction rate that boasts over 98% returning patients. Medical Avenue is committed to ensuring that patients receive comfortable and trustworthy care, continually striving to deliver the best medical services available.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

2.8Km    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.

Grand Hyatt Seoul (그랜드 하얏트 서울)

Grand Hyatt Seoul (그랜드 하얏트 서울)

2.8Km    2025-10-23

322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-1234

The Grand Hyatt Seoul is an international business hotel located 10 minutes away from the center of the city and 20 minutes away from Yeouido and Gangnam, boasting a view of the Hangang River to the south and the scenery of Namsan Mountain to the north. It is also located only 70 minutes and 50 minutes away from Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport respecitvely, making the hotel a convenient option for international travelers.

Grand Hyatt Seoul has twelve restaurants and bars that serve authentic meals and develop menus that lead the culinery trend. The hotel is also equipped with conference rooms, sports facilities, and spa services.

Geumdwaeji Sikdang (금돼지식당)

2.8Km    2025-10-28

149 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Geumdwaeji Sikdang is renowned as one of the top three pork restaurants in Seoul, specializing in pork dishes. Its signature menu item is the nunkkon moksal (grilled pork shoulder), known for its marbled appearance resembling snowflakes. Bonsamgyeop (grilled bone-in pork belly) and deungmoksal (short loin and pork shoulder) are also popular choices. They offer fragrant basil wraps as a side dish, which perfectly complements the slightly grilled basil with the juicy and flavorful meat, creating a harmonious taste sensation that is considered a delicacy at this establishment.

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

2.8Km    2025-10-23

288, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1842

Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed essential government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453, and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.

The gate features a hipped roof with five front and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle-shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.

One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period.

Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)

Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)

2.9Km    2023-12-22

283, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0243

Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall, built in 1396, was the city fortress wall that protected the capital city Seoul for over 600 years. The fortress wall was built along the terrains and although it became partially damaged during the modernization process, its original form remains well to this day, making it a cultural heritage that coexists with the modern city. The Seoul City Wall Museum, located in Heungjinjimun Park, is a museum containing the history and culture of city wall from the Joseon dynasty to the present. It is a cultural space with a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, city wall information center, and study room.

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

2.9Km    2025-06-05

3, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4850

ARKO Art Center was founded in 1974 as Misulhoegwan in a building of former Deoksu Hospital in Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu to offer much-needed exhibition space for artists and arts groups. In 1979, Misulhoegwan moved to its present building, designed by preeminent Korean architect Kim Swoo-geun (1931-1986) and located in Marronnier Park, the former site of Seoul National University. The two neighboring brick buildings accommodating ARKO Art Center and ARKO Arts Theater are the major landmarks of the district of Daehakro.
As more public and private museums and commercial galleries came into the art scene in the 1990s, Misulhoegwan shifted to curating and presenting its own exhibitions. Renamed as Marronnier Art Center in 2002, ARKO Art Center assumed a full-fledged art museum system and played an increasingly prominent role as a public arts organization leading the contemporary art paradigm. When The Korea Culture and Arts Foundation was reborn as Arts Council Korea, Marronnier Art Center became ARKO Art Center named after the abbreviation for Arts Council Korea in 2005.
ARKO Art Center is committed to working as a platform where research, production, exhibitions and the exchange of creative activities grow and develop in connection with one another in addition to having a diversity of programs including thematic exhibitions addressing social agenda and public programs widely promoting various discourses in art.