Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

9.0Km    2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

9.0Km    2023-08-17

185-3, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 옥인동

Suseong-dong Valley's stream runs down from Inwangsan Mountain and joins Cheonggyecheon Stream, and it is said that the name of the village was called Suseong-dong during the Joseon dynasty due to the loud and clear sound of the flowing water. It appears in the painting "Jangdong Palgyeongcheop," which is Jangdong Eight Scenic Views, that depicts the eight scenic views of Bugaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain as well as in other historical books of the Joseon dynasty as a place of scenic beauty. The valley was so famous for its beauty, that Prince Anpyeong of the Joseon dynasty built his house "Bihaedang" to fully enjoy the view, and the valley and its stone bridge were designated as a cultural property of Seoul in 2010. 

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

9.0Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Sogang University (서강대학교)

9.1Km    2023-07-07

35, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-705-8114

Sogang University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit university located in central Seoul. Campus life at Sogang University is enhanced by student clubs as well as technological advancement. Furthermore, the proximity to other leading universities (Yonsei University and Ewha Woman's University) contributes to the intellectual and social vitality of student life at Sogang University.

Park Habio Water Kingdom Water Park & Jjimjil Spa (파크하비오 워터킹덤&스파)

9.2Km    2025-10-24

111 Songpa-daero, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

9.2Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital (가톨릭대학교 여의도성모병원)

9.2Km    2025-10-23

(Yeouido-dong), 10 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, established in 1936, is a hospital affiliated with a medical school and has a rich history of advancing the country's medical field through exceptional medical staff and pioneering research. 
The hospital offers a convenient fast-track service for swift diagnosis and treatment, ranging from complex cancer care to minor conditions. As the first in Korea to open a dedicated lymphoma center, we have specialized expertise in treating various cancers, including lymphoma. 
Our use of da Vinci robotic surgery allows for precise, minimally invasive procedures for complex conditions such as uterine fibroids, rectal cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer, promoting faster recovery. The hospital's one-stop service for breast and thyroid nodules ensures rapid diagnosis and treatment planning, completing biopsies within a single day.
At the Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, we remain committed to providing top-tier medical services and advancing medical research while upholding the highest standards of bioethics.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

9.2Km    2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

Sky Pizza (스카이피자)

9.3Km    2025-11-05

86, Noryangjin-ro 6-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

K-movie <PARASITE> - Real pizza store in the movie
It is a real pizza store that appears in the movie 'Pizza Age'. Kitaek's (played by Song Kangho) family has a side job folding pizza boxes here. It also appears as a place where family members gather to conspire to kick out President Park's butler. Although it is a pizza store located in a quiet residential area, it is famous for the movie 'PARASITE' and is visited by ‘PARASITE’ fans from all over the world. There is a picture of the president and director Bong Joonho on the inside wall.

Seoul Cruise (서울크루즈)

9.4Km    2025-12-04

231 Yeouidohanganggongwon-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Hyundai Cruise Line, Korea's first marine tourism cruise operator, was founded in 1983 and renamed Seoul Cruise after building a new terminal in Yeouido. With Yeouido Ferry Terminal as its base, Seoul Cruise is the only passenger cruise operator that can travel from the Hangang River to the West Sea, passing through the Ara West Sea Lock. The company currently operates from two terminals: Yeouido Ferry Terminal and Ara Gimpo Terminal. In addition to offering tours that showcase the scenic beauty of the Hangang River, Seoul Cruise also provides other options, such as the Dinner Fireworks Cruise, which lets passengers enjoy a fireworks show along the Ara Waterway in Gimpo.