Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문) - Area information - Korea travel information

Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

307.0M    2023-02-23

40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-779-8547

Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. Passageways for traffic are located at the east and west ends of the gate. Different from the other gates, Sungnyemun Gate’s tablet has its name written vertically.

On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun was destroyed by fire. After a 5-year reconstruction work, the gate was re-opened to the public again on May 4, 2013.

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong, Da-dong and Mugyo-dong Special Tourist Zone (명동 남대문 북창동 다동무교동 관광특구)

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong, Da-dong and Mugyo-dong Special Tourist Zone (명동 남대문 북창동 다동무교동 관광특구)

308.0M    2021-12-30

40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4622

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong and Da-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food.

Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes.

Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods.

Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes.

[Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Myeong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul
Area size: 872,809 ㎡
Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.

Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony & Experience (숭례문 파수의식 / 원데이! 파수군)

Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony & Experience (숭례문 파수의식 / 원데이! 파수군)

312.1M    2024-03-12

40 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
010-2802-2133

The Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony is a reenactment of the changing of the guards who protected the fortress walls around the capital city during the Joseon dynasty. During this change, the gates would be opened for the off-duty guards to go out and replace those finishing their shift of walking along the walls.

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal City Hall (만족오향족발 시청)

321.6M    2024-03-12

134-7, Seosomun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-4755

Located close to City Hall station, Manjok Ohyang Jokbal specializes in jokbal (braised pigs' feet). The restaurant has been recognized for its quality by being included in the 2023 Michelin Guide. It is recommended to try jaengban guksu (jumbo sized buckwheat noodles) and riceballs, which are perfect for pairing with pork feet. Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, and Namdaemun Gate are nearby, so visiting them will enrich one's cultural experience. 

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

331.1M    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.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

362.1M    2022-08-11

15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. The observatory has a cafe inside where visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace from above. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong.

Regal Optical [Tax Refund Shop] (리갈안경)

362.4M    2024-04-19

Store #123, Section Ra-3 of Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center, 2, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Alpha Stationery - Namdaemun Main Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (알파문구 남대문본점)

363.9M    2024-04-23

6-2, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Namdaemun Market Mungu (Stationery) Street (남대문 문구상가)

Namdaemun Market Mungu (Stationery) Street (남대문 문구상가)

366.1M    2020-04-21

6-2, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2805

Also called Mungu (Stationery) Street, Mungu Shopping Center is home to colorful stationery, toys, and wrapping materials. Because of its colorful items, the center has attracted many tourists and producers interested in stationery and toys. A slew of camera shops on the outskirts of the center offer camera lenses and camera items not readily available elsewhere, attracting both amateur and professional photographers from Korean and abroad.

Hyundai Kalguksu (현대칼국수)

Hyundai Kalguksu (현대칼국수)

370.5M    2020-06-16

76, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-9504

Hyundai Kalguksu is a kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodles) restaurant that has been in the family for two generations (1982). The restaurant is extremely popular among people working at nearby businesses, thanks to the rich flavor of the broth. Anchovies, dried pollack heads, and kelp are simmered for many hours, and then, other ingredients are added: soft noodles and various vegetables including pumpkin, onion, and green onions. The restaurant is famous for the exquisite taste of its kalguksu, as well as for its large servings. Just one bowl is enough to satisfy a starving man, but if you are still hungry, don’t hesitate to ask for more rice or noodles for free. Another unforgettable specialty here is kimchi. You will also be able to enjoy geotjeori (freshly made kimchi) and kkakdugi (sliced white-radish kimchi), which is fermented for about three days.