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

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

605.4M    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.  

Olive Young - Jongno 1(il)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로1가)

608.8M    2024-04-16

19, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Bukchon Cultural Center (북촌문화센터)

611.1M    2025-06-19

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Bukchon Cultural Center, located in a hanok, was established to offer traditional cultural experience opportunities for visitors to the area. The programs include tea ceremony, handicraft, and gugak as well as a Public Relations Exhibition Hall introducing Bukchon culture and hanok. Also, the center houses a space and a pavilion for visitors to relax while traveling.

Eight Scenic Views of Bukchon (북촌 8경)

611.1M    2024-03-18

37, Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4161

The Eight Scenic Views of Bukchon can be found at the Bukchon Hanok Village between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. Bukchon was historically a district where the aristocracy of Joseon had resided in, so it is still home to a large number of traditional dwellings, called hanok in Korean. The eight views are as follows: No. 1, view of Chengdeokgung Palace; No. 2, view of Wonseo-dong Handicraft Road; No. 3, view of the Gahoe-dong area; No. 4, view from the hill at Gahoe-dong (Bukchon Observatory); No. 5, the view of the road uphill at Gahoe-dong; No. 6, the view of the road downhill at Gahoe-dong; No. 7, the view at house number (beonji) 31, Gahoe-dong; No. 8, the view of the stone stairway at Samcheong-dong.

Public Hanok Night Out (공공한옥 밤마실)

612.0M    2025-06-10

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-1033

Public Hanok Night Out is a special evening event that allows limited access to the nine public hanok buildings, including the Bukchon Culture Center, after sundown. The event is carefully prepared to make the hanok buildings accessible as much as possible. In addition, the event also offers a variety of programs to entertain the visitors. The event aims to raise awareness about embracing differences and diverse values during this time of ever-changing global society, as well as expand the the cultural values of hanok as something more unique.

Jongno 3(sam)-ga Jewelry District (종로3가 귀금속 전문상가)

618.9M    2025-06-30

Jongno3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul-si

There is an enormous selection of wholesalers and retail jewelry stores in this district, spread throughout Jongno 3(sam)-ga and 4(sa)-ga. The glittering showcases here are especially popular amongst young people and foreign tourists looking to find fine jewelry at affordable prices. Stores in the jewelry district have a selection of designs that are extraordinarily diverse and prices that are 20 to 40% lower than at other jewelry outlets in Korea.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

621.6M    2025-06-19

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. As Bukchon Hanok Village is an actual neighborhood with people's homes, visitors are advised to be respectful at all times while looking around.

Mijin (미진)

621.9M    2024-03-06

19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-1954

Mijin is a Korean-style cold buckwheat noodle restaurant located near Gwanghwamun, specializing in Korean-style naeng memilguksu (cold buckwheat noodles). They offer a broth that is richer in flavor compared to Japanese soba bonito soy sauce, along with chewier buckwheat noodles. The restaurant produces the broth and noodles in-house and serves them directly to customers. The cold broth and buckwheat noodles condiments can be adjusted according to preference. Another popular menu is the memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe) filled with bean sprouts, bean curd, aged kimchi, and ground pork.

Bukchon Son Mandu Bukchon Branch (북촌손만두 북촌점)

624.7M    2024-12-10

This third-generation family-owned handmade mandu restaurant has been in business since 1953. Its handmade mandu bears the tradition of nearly 70 years. This restaurant distinguishes itself above others with its unique expertise in the art of mandu-making and fresh ingredients, capturing deep flavors with care in each mandu. A full spread of mandu is available here, from steamed mandu to thin-skin mandu, deep-fried mandu, shrimp mandu, and galbi mandu, which can be ordered in individual pieces or as an assorted package. Mandu and noodles go perfectly together, and here, visitors can enjoy mandu with cold buckwheat noodles or noodle soup. The most recommended menu is the noodle soup, which serves thick, plump noodles in warm broth. But that does not mean that the cold buckwheat noodles are lacking: cold buckwheat noodles are served in a cool, red kimchi broth.

HANILKWAN - Gwanghwamun Branch (한일관 광화문)

625.6M    2024-03-18

50, Jong-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-7557

It is a store that has been operating with a long tradition since 1939. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is bulgogi.