Korean Museum of Straw and Life (짚풀생활사박물관)

7.2Km 2022-09-15

45, Sungkyunkwan-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Korean Museum of Straw and Life is a private museum dedicated to the collection, research, and display of materials and historical accounts of diverse straws and their uses in Korea. As Koreans' lifestyle in the past heavily depended on agriculture and cultivation of crops, straws and grasses were easily found and had many uses. The museum aims to educate the general public of how different straw were produced and used by Korean ancestors as well as their significance in connection with today's lifestyle.

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

7.2Km 2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hyangnamu or 'Aromatic Tree' in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be about 700 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. It stands 12m in x_height, measures 5.9m in girth around the roots, and has branches spreading in all four directions. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

Jogyesa Temple (조계사(서울))

7.2Km 2024-10-25

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

As the main temple as well as the district head temple of the Jogye order in Seoul, Jogyesa Temple is the center of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in the late 14th century during the Goryeo period but was completely destroyed in a fire. It was rebuilt under the name of Gakwangsa Temple in 1910 with the effort of many respectful monks, namely Han Yong-un and Lee Hee-gwang. The temple was given a role as the head temple of Korea’s Buddhism and renamed to Tegosa Temple in 1936. In 1954, a purification drive took place to eliminate Japanese influence and revive traditional Buddhism, which established the present day Jogyesa Temple as a result.

Jogyesa Temple plays an important role in Korean Buddhism as the head temple of the Jogye order. Jogyesa Temple’s Dharma Hall serves as the main venue for several Buddhist events, holding rituals, lectures, ceremonies, and other events all year long. The annual lantern festival in celebration of Buddha's birthday also takes place at this temple.

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

7.2Km 2023-08-11

5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

Insa-dong (인사동)

7.2Km 2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun (교보문고)

7.3Km 2024-12-04

1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Kyobo Book Centre is the first large-scale bookstore in Korea, and this particular store can be found next to Gwanghwamun Square. Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun divides its internal area into 11 sections and organizes them in a way that allows readers to find books easily. The store also has specialized shops for stationery, digital devices, and accessories, as well as exhibition spaces and cafés.

Pungnap-dong Toseong Fortress (서울 풍납동 토성)

7.3Km 2025-01-10

Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Onjo, the progenitor of Kingdom Baekje, first settled in Wiryeseong Hanam. But exact location is still unknown. One thing for sure, however, is that Pungnaptoseong Fortress, Mongchontoseong Fortress, Bangidong Ancient Tombs of Baekje, Seokchondong Stone Mound Tomb of Early Baekje are the remains of Baekje. Pungnaptoseong Fortress faces Hangang River to its west and connects to Mongchontoseong Fortress to the south. To the northwest faces Achasanseong Fortress over Hangang River and far to the southeast is Namhansanseong Fortress.

Pungnaptoseong Fortress, located at the south end of Cheonhodaegyo Bridge over Hangang River, is one of the remains of Early Baekje. Originally, the fortress was 4km in circumference, but due to massive overflowing of Hangang River during flood season in 1925, most of the fortress was lost and only 2.7km of it remains. To the east of the fortress are 4 vestiges of the fortress gates. The remains from the prehistoric era through the Samguk (Three States) era have been unearthed, indicating that this place was a residential area well before the Baekje Era. Through vigorous excavation, some people suggest that there used to be a palace located here during the Baekje Era.

Stenlee (스텐리)

7.3Km 2025-10-23

15th Floor, 1 Jongno (Kyobo Life Building), Jongno-gu, Seoul

Stenlee is a specialized agency that provides comprehensive support to medical patients, corporate groups and business delegations visiting Korea. We design and manage tailored MICE and medical programs (checkups, medical treatment, fam tours, medical trainings, seminars, incentive trips, etc) handling everything from booking to transportation, translation and interpretation. Our strength lies in optimizing schedules, cost and cultural immersion to ensure efficient results and comfortable stay for our clients.

Seoul Bangidong Ancient Tombs (서울 방이동 고분군)

7.3Km 2022-12-29

219, Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

The ancient tombs in Bangi-dong were discovered during the land readjustment project of Jamsil-jigu District in 1975. A total of eight ancient tombs were excavated until 1976, and the site was restored into a park in 1983. The Bangi-dong area was originally a low line of hills with an altitude of 30-50 meters above sea level, but it has been made into flatland for urban development purposes. Tomb numbers 1 to 6 lie on the same hill, while tomb no. 7 and 8 are located on another hill a short distance away.

All eight tombs have circular burial mounds. The insides of the a tomb feature a square or rectangular-shaped burial chamber with earthen ground and stone walls, and a passage leading from the tomb entrance to the chamber. However, details of the burial chambers vary by tomb. Most of the tombs had been robbed before the investigation, but a few relics such as plates and pots have been excavated. At the time of excavation, the relics were presumed to have come from the Baekje dynasty (18 BC-660 AD), but it is now estimated that they date back to the Unified Silla Period (676-935 AD).

Jeongdong Theater (국립 정동극장)

7.3Km 2024-06-19

43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jeongdong Theater is located along Deoksugung Stone Wall Path and serves as a cultural hub for local citizens. Opened in 1995, Jeongdong Theater is historically significant as it was established to restitute the legacy of Wongaksa, the first modern theater in Korea. Jeongdong Theater features numerous critically-acclaimed productions, such as “Traditional Art Performance,” “Masters Exhibition,” and “Art Frontier,” as well as programs like “Art Stage at Noon” that are geared toward the general public. As a result, Jeongdong Theater has become one of Korea's representative traditional arts performance theaters and was designated as a Seoul Future Heritage in 2015.

The theater successfully held the performance “Miso” in 2010, featuring the traditional musical "Love Songs from Chunhyang," written and created by Jeongdong Theater. The musical attracted many international visitors from all over the world, passing on Korean cultural values and beauty, as well as gaining the attention of critics worldwide. In addition, the theater also produced "The 2nd Story of Miso: Baebijang-jeon," offering a modern interpretation of the fundamental values found in Korea's culture and art.

Korean Museum of Straw and Life (짚풀생활사박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information