Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

5.8Km 2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Olive Young - Sagajeong Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 사가정역)

5.8Km 2024-04-17

Store #103, Geukjang Bldg., 310, Myeonmok-ro, Jungnang-gu, Seoul

-

Pildong Myeonok (필동면옥)

5.8Km 2024-03-07

26, Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-2611

Pildong Myeonok specializes in authentic pyeongyang naengmyeon (pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles). Their signature dish is Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles), which has a light and refreshing broth and chewy noodles. Mandu and Mandut guk (Mandu soup) are also popular dishes to go with it. Having been selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul 2023, this restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists alike for its flavorful noodles.

LoL Park (롤파크)

5.8Km 2025-11-04

33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Lol Park is the venue where the largest-scale League of Legends competition in South Korea, LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea), is held. It serves as a space for various esports events and activities, featuring spectator seating, LCK Arena (lounge), Riot Store (merchandise shop), PC rooms, and café.

Jihwaja (지화자)

5.8Km 2024-03-18

125 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2269-5834

Jihwaja is a traditional Korean restaurant operated by a successor of Joseon dynasty royal dishes. Their manchan course (full course) includes menus served at royal banquets such as gungjung manchan (royal course), Jineo-byul manchan (deluxe royal degustation course), and janggeum manchan (daejanggeum degustation course) courses. The janggeum course reconstructs dishes from the drama "Dae Jang Geum." For the Jeongchan course (Set menu), they offer so galbi sura (grilled beef ribs course), jeonbok cho sura (braised abalones in soy sauce course), so galbi jjim sura (braised beef short ribs course), and haemul sinseollo sura (seafood hot pot course). Additionally, they serve milk porridge, meat and vegetable skewers, mandu, royal hot pot, and grilled marinated beef.

Lotte Mart - ToysRus Junggye Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데마트 토이저러스중계점)

5.8Km 2024-04-22

330, Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul

-

Lotte Himart - Junggye Lotte Mart Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데하이마트 중계롯데마트점)

5.8Km 2024-04-22

330, Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul

-

Lotte Mart - Junggye Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데마트 중계점)

5.8Km 2024-04-22

330, Nowon-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul

-

Youngpoong Bookstore - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (영풍문고 종로점)

5.9Km 2024-04-18

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

Boan1942 (보안1942)

5.9Km 2023-08-17

33 , Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of "Boanstay."

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul's historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) - Area information - Korea travel information