Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

987.9M 2024-11-27

40 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. Passageways for traffic are located at the east and west ends of the gate. Different from the other gates, Sungnyemun Gate’s tablet has its name written vertically.

On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun was destroyed by fire. After a 5-year reconstruction work, the gate was re-opened to the public again on May 4, 2013.

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong, Da-dong and Mugyo-dong Special Tourist Zone (명동 남대문 북창동 다동무교동 관광특구)

988.0M 2021-12-30

40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4622

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong and Da-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food.

Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes.

Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods.

Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes.

[Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Myeong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul
Area size: 872,809 ㎡
Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.

Happy Jewerly [Tax Refund Shop] (해피쥬얼리)

989.3M 2024-06-27

1F, #21, 26, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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KT Square (KT스퀘어)

998.0M 2021-07-08

178, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1577-5599

KT Square is a multi-complex that offers various cultural performances as well as hands-on experiences of the latest in IT technology. Gallery 130 showcases the history of KT Corp.

Hanaro Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (하나로안경원)

1.0Km 2024-04-19

48, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Templestay Information Center (템플스테이 홍보관)

1.0Km 2022-10-17

56, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2031-2000

Templestay Information Center offers various information and services regarding templestays and temple meals for domestic and international visitors. The center also operates traditional cultural experiences, such as tea time with a Buddhist monk, traditional culture activities and more.

Sieunjae (시은재)

1.0Km 2024-12-23

439 , Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5355-3029

Sieunjae is a hanok stay that has stood in the midst of busy Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, for generations. The guestrooms comprise an anbang (bedroom plus living room), three smaller rooms, and a byeolchae or detached house. All rooms have a toilet, and there’s a well-equipped shared kitchen and a washing machine. Guests can either rent individual rooms or the whole hanok. Jongno is convenient for travel to all the historic sites of Seoul, and there’s a public carpark nearby.

Gwanghwamun Market (광화문 마켓)

1.0Km 2025-12-05

B172 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-337-3692

Gwanghwamun Market takes place along with the Seoul Lantern Festival to support local small businesses and promote Seoul night tourism. The market features local store owners and businesses that exhibit and sell seasonal decor, handcrafted items, and winter snacks.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

1.0Km 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.

Korea House (한국의집)

1.0Km 2025-10-23

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Korea House was opened in 1981. It is a traditional Korean building that introduces the culture and lifestyle of Koreans, where you can experience traditional architecture and a classical atmosphere. The building was built in the style of the Joseon Dynasty's Jagyeong-jeon building at the Gyeongbok Palace. It is the only building built in the traditional architectural style. You will feel its antiquity as you enter the building.

It is divided into the Haerin-gwan (a space for people to get acquainted with each other), the Traditional Theater, and three annex buildings (Munhyang-ru, Nokeum-jeong and Cheongwu-jeong). At Haerin-gwan, you can enjoy traditional music at Garak-dang and try traditional food at Sohwa-dang. In the square of Garak-dang you can view a traditional wedding (on the weekends) or people playing folk games. Also, at the Traditional Theater, about 156 seats are available, and in the afternoons Human Cultural Assets or members of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the National Corps members present traditional music and dances. Sinayui, Salpuri, Pansori, the Drum Dance and the Bongsan Mask Dance are the most popular programs for foreigners. The programs are all explained in English and Japanese.

In the Cultural Gift Shop you can view various crafts made by traditional craftsmen. It is always open and the crafts are for sale as well. There are pottery, ceramics, golden crafts, knots and embroidery etc; approximately 500 pieces of artwork made by craftsmen from 20 different fields. Next to the House of Korea is the Namsan-gol Hanok Village where visitors can explore traditional houses.

Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문) - Area information - Korea travel information