Tapgol Park (탑골공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Tapgol Park (탑골공원)

Tapgol Park (탑골공원)

1.5Km    2024-03-04

99, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-731-0534

Tapgol Park is the first modern park in Seoul. Having been the site of the Buddhist temple of Wongaksa Temple since 1467, the land was turned into a park in 1897. The park has a significant presence in Korean history, being the place where the March 1 Independence Movement began in 1919. One can find historical sites that hearken back to the struggle, such as the Palgakjeong Pavilion, the center of the movement; cultural heritage sites such as the Ten-story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple Site and the Stele for the Construction of Daewongaksa Temple at Wongaksa Temple Site; and monuments such as the independence movement relief plate, murals, the statue of Son Byeong-hee, and the statue of Han Yong-un.

Cheonggye 5-ga Bag Wholesale Shopping Center / Cheong'o Bag Shopping Center (청계5가 가방도매상가 / 청오가방상가)

Cheonggye 5-ga Bag Wholesale Shopping Center / Cheong'o Bag Shopping Center (청계5가 가방도매상가 / 청오가방상가)

1.5Km    2024-03-18

229 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheonggye 5-ga Bag Wholesale Shopping Center is a place where you can purchase various types of bags at affordable prices. They offer a diverse range of items including handbags, briefcases, suitcases, and school bags. Selling unique models produced directly from their own factory, the prices are reasonable, and the quality is excellent. The shopping center also houses wholesale stores for clothing and bag accessories.

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

1.5Km    2021-02-24

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

Miduem Eyewear - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (믿음안경 회현)

Miduem Eyewear - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (믿음안경 회현)

1.5Km    2024-04-18

33-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Miduem Optics [Tax Refund Shop] (믿음안경)

1.5Km    2024-06-27

33-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Cheongja Imported Goods Shopping Center (청자 수입상가)

Cheongja Imported Goods Shopping Center (청자 수입상가)

1.5Km    2022-12-21

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

Cheongja Imported Goods Shopping Center offers imported utensils, household items, clothing and accessories not readily available elsewhere. Its main customers tend to be women. Its first underground floor boasts diverse utensils, women's clothing and accessories while the first floor offers children's clothing and household items. After shopping around in the center, visitors may want to visit the second and third floors, which house customer lounges and coffee shops.

Masinneungimchijjim&Sundubu (맛있는김치찜&순두부)

Masinneungimchijjim&Sundubu (맛있는김치찜&순두부)

1.5Km    2021-03-20

31, Ujeongguk-ro, 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-1095

Selling spicy soups, it’s a good place to visit after visiting Cheonggyecheon. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is pork and kimchi stew.

Namdaemun Ginseng Market (남대문인삼시장)

Namdaemun Ginseng Market (남대문인삼시장)

1.5Km    2021-06-09

25-8, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-1012

Namdaemun Ginseng Market is found along the central path of Namdaemun Market located on Namdaemun-ro.There are approximately 20 shops standing close together in the market, with seven other ginseng shops in a ginseng distributor center located on the second floor of Namdaemun Theatre building. Here, visitors can purchase quality ginseng at a 20~30% lower price than the regular consumer price.

Visitors can also purchase fresh ginseng and other processed products such as ginseng tea and powder, as well as a variety of oriental health foods including: red ginseng, honey, Yeongji mushrooms, traditional teas, brown rice and adlay.

Hwangudan Altar (환구단)

Hwangudan Altar (환구단)

1.5Km    2020-05-07

112, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5842

Hwangudan Altar, also called Hwandan Altar, refers to an altar complex for the rite of heaven. The rites were first performed in the Goryeo dynasty by King Seongjong in the first month of 983 (2nd year of his reign), but was repeatedly adopted and abolished, and eventually stopped at the start of the Joseon dynasty.

Then in 1456 (2nd year of King Sejo), the practice was temporarily standardized and the rites were performed at Hwangudan Altar again in 1457. However, rites were again abolished in 1464 (10th year of King Sejo). It wasn’t until 1897 (34th year of King Gojong) when the Joseon dynasty was renamed as the Korean Empire and King Gojong ascended to emperor, that the rite was revived.

Now, Hwangungu Shrine and three stone drums stand at the location of the former altar complex. The three stone drums symbolize the instruments used for the rites. The shrine was completed in 1899, two years after the altar was started in 1897. Today, the Hwangungu Shrine still stands within the hotel grounds of the Westin Chosun Hotel.