Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

1.4Km 28878 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.

Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Hanok Hotel [Korea Qaulity] [Korea Quality] / 락고재 서울 북촌 한옥호텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

1.4Km 1848 2024-06-26

49-23 , Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-3410

Rakgojae Bukchon Hanok Hotel in Jongru-gu, Seoul, is a traditional hanok compound with a 130-year history, renovated by master carpenter Jeong Yeong-jin. The elegant gate and stone walls, the traditional roof tiles, the jangdokdae jar store, the pavilions and ponds - not to mention the beautiful pine trees - express the archetypal beauty of hanok. Sitting on the daecheongmaru (wooden patio) with a breeze in the trees, guests will feel taken back in time. Guestrooms are clean and comfortable, and visitors can relax in a wood-fired red-clay sauna and a jade-covered ondol room,. Traditional culture programs are available.

Seoul Public Hanok Week (공공한옥주간)

1.4Km 0 2024-05-24

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-1033

The Seoul Public Hanok Week offers a full week of traditional culture at public hanok, traditional Korean buildings, throughout Seoul and Bukchon Hanok Village. Experience the beauty, charm, and history of these buildings while learning about the eco-friendly impact of their construction and methods to apply this to our modern lives.

Seungdong Church (승동교회)

1.4Km 14170 2020-04-02

7-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-2340

Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society.

Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939.

Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.

Korea Samgyetang (고려삼계탕)

1.4Km 53712 2024-06-19

1 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-9376

Located near City Hall Station, Korea Samgyetang specializes in samgyetang. Samgyetang is a traditional healthy dish made by simmering cleaned young chicken in a broth with ginseng, jujube, and glutinous rice. The light and tender texture of the stewed chicken and the ginseng-flavored glutinous rice porridge is excellent. Ogolgye tang (silkie chicken soup) and jeonbok samgye tang (abalone and ginseng chicken soup) are also favorites among patrons. This restaurant was selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul in 2023.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

1.4Km 155856 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-360-8590

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.

Bukchon Museum (북촌생활사박물관)

1.4Km 16723 2022-08-30

90, Bukchon-ro 5na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-3957

The Bukchon Museum displays items that have been collected from Bukchon, a historical village that was once home to the nation’s nobility. The museum was founded to observe urban development that took place in the recent decades through collected and preserved veryday household items that were used by Bukchon residents. Visitors are even allowed to touch items on display to better be able to imagine life in Korea before industrialization.

PAULIN PANCAKE - Samcheong Branch(폴인팬케이크 삼청)

1.4Km 193 2021-04-15

108, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-8952

This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is souffle pancakes. Souffle pancake is a popular dessert in Korea.

Sieunjae [Korea Quality] / 시은재 [한국관광 품질인증]

1.4Km 4798 2020-12-10

439, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5355-3029

Located in Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu at the very heart of Seoul, Sieunjae is a hanok with a longstanding tradition. It has three guestrooms including the anbang (main room), byeolchae (detached building), and jakeunbang (small room). The anbang is the only room with a living room, where various items of old furniture, including a comfortable sofa, create an antique atmosphere. The communal bathroom and toilets are supplied with toiletries, while the communal kitchen is equipped with cooking equipment and a washing machine. The house can be rented either as individual accommodations or in its entirety. As it is situated in Jongno-gu, at the very heart of Seoul, guests can easily reach many nearby major tourist attractions. Car users are advised to use the public parking lot as the house has no parking spaces. Entering by a small gate, the little flowerbed comes into sight. This old hanok shows traces of repair works on the tiled roof.

Cheongwonsanbang Studio (청원산방)

1.4Km 14728 2019-10-02

27, Bukchon-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-715-3342

Located in Samcheong-dong and established in 1981, Cheongwonsanbang Studio is an art studio by Sim Yong-sik (Intangible Cultural Property designated by City of Seoul). He works on various traditional windows and doors with his students, promoting them in Korea and other countries. Doors and windows with beautiful patterns are all over the place in this studio: doors that can hang against a wall, windows decorated with cherry blossoms, comb-patterned windows and so many more. Visitors can also enjoy beautiful crafts in various exhibition events.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원) - Area information - Korea travel information