Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

9.5Km    2025-06-17

68 Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Gilsangsa Temple is a prominent temple located in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The name Gilsangsa means "a favorable and auspicious temple." Visitors can experience temple, participate in Buddhist practices, and even enjoy Templestay programs on weekends. In fall, visitors can admire red spider lilies and wildflowers, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature and finding inner peace.

Korea Furniture Museum (한국가구박물관)

9.6Km    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.

E-Land Cruise (Hangang River Ferry Cruise) (이랜드크루즈 (한강유람선))

E-Land Cruise (Hangang River Ferry Cruise) (이랜드크루즈 (한강유람선))

9.6Km    2024-10-31

(Nodeulnaru Park), 290, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

The E-Land Cruise cuts across the Hangang River along the east-west axis. It connects two terminals, one in Yeouido and the other in Jamsil. The company offers a number of different programs, such as the Han River Tour Cruise, a daytime cruise that takes one along the views of Hangang River, and the Moonlight Music Cruise, which offers a beautiful view of Seoul at night with jazz music. One can also enjoy buffet lunch and dinners on the ship.

Gwanaksan Mountain Nakseongdae Park (관악산 낙성대공원)

Gwanaksan Mountain Nakseongdae Park (관악산 낙성대공원)

9.7Km    2021-07-16

77, Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

Nakseongdae Park was built as a tribute to General Kang Gam-chan (948-1031) of the Goryeo dynasty. In 1973, the city of Seoul reorganized the birthplace of General Kang, resulting in changes to the park. Located inside the park are Anguksa Shrine, the general’s birthplace, and a three-story stone pagoda, which was made during the Goryeo dynasty. The 4.48-meter-high pagoda is made of granite, and is called “Kang Gam-chan Tap (pagoda)” or “Kang Gam-chan Nakseongdae Tap”.

*Anguksa Shrine
Anguksa is a shrine built in 1974 emulating the wooden architecture style of the Goryeo era. The shrine has high ceilings and houses the portrait of General Kang Gam-chan. The shrine is located on the road leading to the back gate of Seoul National University and has become a popular place in the area.

*Nakseongdae Yuji
Nakseongdae Yuji is the birthplace of General Kang Gam-chan and the original location of the three-story pagoda. During the maintenance of Nakseongdae area in 1973, the pagoda was moved into the vicinity of Anguksa Shrine, and a two-meter tall monument was erected in its original location to mark the historical significance of the site.

Starbucks Edae R (스타벅스 이대R)

Starbucks Edae R (스타벅스 이대R)

9.7Km    2024-12-27

34 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Starbucks Edae R store is the first Starbucks store opened in 1999 and Korea's first Reserve only store

Starbucks Edae R store is the first Starbucks store opened in Korea. It is located 150 meters from the front gate of Ewha Womans University. The store has been loved by customers for over two decades since 1999. In celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2019, the store re-opened as Korea's first Reserve-only store. It specializes in offering specialty coffee and memorable experiences to many customers visiting Korea's first Starbucks store. As the leading store presenting the history and future of Starbucks, it offers high-quality coffee in a beautifully decorated setting, along with unique beverages and exclusive merchandise available only at this particular store.

Ewha Womans University (이화여자대학교)

9.8Km    2023-07-04

52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Ewha Womans University is Korea's first women's university founded in 1886 by American Methodist missionary Mary Scranton. Ewha Womans University is also the most famous women's university in Korea and its name originates from Ehwa Hakdang, a name given by Empress Myeongseong in 1887. Ewha Womans University created a four-year university course in 1910, and in 1943, the name of Ewha was taken away during the Japanese colonial period and downgraded to a one-year school. In October 1945, the year of Korea's independence from Japan, it regained the name of Ewha and was promoted to a university with eight departments. Currently, it consists of 15 graduate schools, 11 colleges, and 67 departments, and there are 8 affiliated research institutes.

The street in front of Ewha Womans University is famous for shopping. This place is full of clothing stores and neat food that boast a popping sensation to suit the tastes of female college students. The shopping street in front of Ewha Womans University is a straight road that lies ahead of Exits 2 and 3 of Seoul Subway Line 2. Alleyways stretch out like branches around this street and are filled with various accessory shops, clothing stores, shoe stores, restaurants, cafes, and beauty salons.

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

9.8Km    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. 

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

9.8Km    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.

Ewha Womans University Museum (이화여자대학교박물관)

Ewha Womans University Museum (이화여자대학교박물관)

9.8Km    2022-09-14

52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The Ewha Womans University Museum was established in 1935 with the goal of preserving the cultural heritage of Korea. Originally, items related to folk art, traditional woodwork, and pottery were put on display in the hall of the main university to keep them from being confiscated during the Japanese occupation. This later led to the opening of the museum to display and store the growing collection.

Regular exhibitions of the museum’s collection have been taking place annually from 1972. Since 1996, the museum also held special exhibitions that focus on other themes related to cultural heritage. Additional small-scale exhibitions are also held frequently to promote Korea's traditional culture and art.

A ceramics research facility as well as a more traditional museum, a large portion of the museum’s efforts is focused on the research and excavation of kilns. To this aim, excavation teams from the museum have traveled to various parts of the country to conduct studies on historic sites and assess the value of artifacts. Through the publication of books and reports on its discoveries, the museum has contributed to raising knowledge and awareness of Korean cultural heritage in academia and among the public.

Ewha Welcome Center (이화웰컴센터)

9.8Km    2022-09-13

52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Ewha Welcome Center opened in 2013 as the first promotional center and visitor center of its kind on a university campus in Korea, comprised of an information desk, exhibition lounge, and gift shop. The information desk offers useful information to help visitors get the most out of their Ewha campus experience. The exhibition lounge introduces the history, traditions, and vision of the present-day and future of the university year-round. Visitors can purchase university gear at the gift shop. Furthermore, foreign visitors can take part in a range of campus tour programs in English and Chinese for an enriching experience.