Seoul Sajik Park (사직공원(서울))

2.0Km 2021-11-12

89, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sajik Park is one of the three most popular parks in Jongno-gu along with Tapgol Park and Samcheong Park. Located west of the Government Complex-Seoul on the southeastern foothills of Inwangsan Mountain, the park measures an impressive 188,710 m².

The name of the park dates back to 1395 when Taejo Yi Sung-gye made Sajik Altar (altar to the State deities) at the center of the park. "Sa" refers to the deity of the earth while "jik" refers to the deity of the five grains. Rites wishing for a good harvest were held regularly at Sajik Altar.

In the park are several playgrounds, statues of Sin Saimdang, Hwanghakjeong, and Yulkog Yi I, and the Municipal Children's Library. Dangun Shrine and Jongno Library are situated nearby. By following the path next to Sajik Park for approximately 5 minutes, travelers can reach the Inwangsan hiking path with relative ease.

Myeongdong Cathedral (서울 명동성당)

2.0Km 2022-12-27

74, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeongdong Cathedral is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and was also the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. The church houses the remains of several individuals: Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert (1796-1839), and priests Peter Simon (1803-1839), James (Jacques Honor Chastan, 1803-1839) and Pourthie Jean Antoine Charles (1830-1866) and four martyrs.

Myeongdong Cathedral is located in downtown Seoul and tourists frequently come and visit the place. Near the cathedral are other tourism spots such as Namsangol Hanok Village preserving Korean traditional houses, N Seoul Tower overlooking Seoul and Namdaemun Market, a traditional market with a wide variety of food and goods.

Myeongdong Nanta Theatre (명동난타극장)

2.1Km 2021-07-23

26, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Nanta, Korea's representative non-verbal performance, opened their fourth exclusive theater in Myeong-dong, the center of shopping. The 386-seat theater is located within the UNESCO Building. It is the largst of the Nanta theaters, and was the first to present foreign actors within the performances. There are 3 shows every day, all year round.

Korea Furniture Museum (한국가구박물관)

2.1Km 2025-10-24

121 Daesagwan-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

The Korea Furniture Museum, located on a hill in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul, is a special museum that displays items related to Korea's traditional living culture. The museum exhibits wooden furniture made in the late Joseon dynasty by material (persimmon tree, maple tree, paulownia tree, zelkova tree, pine tree, papers, etc.), by the type of space (men’s quarters, women’s quarters, kitchen, etc.), and by regional characteristics. It also exhibits interior decorations, flower walls, chimneys, and yards, as well as ten traditional Korean houses.
This museum operates through a guided tour (maximum of 20 people per group) only, suitable for showing Korea's housing culture that harmonizes furniture and nature. The old household items, “furniture,” are displayed in rooms outside glass storage boxes, allowing visitors to experience a beautiful traditional culture.
Since it was selected as the official luncheon venue for the spouses of leaders of 20 countries at the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit, there has been a steady stream of state guests and worldwide celebrities, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, the German President, the Prime Minister of Hungary, the Prime Minister of Singapore, the King and Queen of Belgium, the King of Sweden, the head of the IMF, and movie stars Brad Pitt, and Victoria Beckham.

In addition, it was selected as the "most beautiful museum in Seoul” by CNN in 2011. The museum also served as an interview location for BTS members, who are receiving global attention. As such, it is attracting attention as a representative tourist destination in Seoul and a cultural space preferred by government ministries and companies. Tours require reservations, which can be made through the website.

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

2.1Km 2025-01-17

55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul Museum of History covers everything about Seoul's history and culture from the prehistoric era to modern times, focusing especially on the Joseon era. The museum aims to raise cultural awareness and build a strong bond within the community by collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying artifacts and materials related to Seoul as well as promoting the city's history and culture to an international audience.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

2.1Km 2025-01-10

24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

2.1Km 2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

2.1Km 2025-10-23

288, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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.

Pyounghwa (Pyeonghwa) Fashion Town (서울 평화시장)

2.1Km 2025-01-06

274, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Pyounghwa Fashion Town market in Dongdaemun has been selling fashion clothing and accessories for over 50 years ever since the end of the Korean War. It was here that in 1953 North Korean refugees started selling clothes made from US army uniforms. Their market was then named Pyounghwa, which means peace, in the hope that no other wars would be fought on Korean soil. The Pyounghwa Fashion Town was therefore the beginning of the 30,000 stores that now make up Dongdaemun Fashion Town, which is seen as one of the global centers of the fashion industry.

Spread over a large area, this historical fashion market is divided into several districts, the ‘Gu Pyounghwa Fashion Town’ is the oldest, and there is also the ‘Shin Pyounghwa Fashion Town’, ‘Dong Pyounghwa Fashion Town’, and ‘Cheong Pyounghwa Fashion Town’.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

2.2Km 2025-07-11

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-737-6444

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day, with each ceremony following the same procedure and lasts for forty minutes to an hour, and the ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.

As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. Once the ceremony is over, visitors can take pictures with the gatekeepers.

Seoul Sajik Park (사직공원(서울)) - Area information - Korea travel information