Changuimun Gate - Jahamun Gate (창의문(자하문)) - Area information - Korea travel information

Changuimun Gate - Jahamun Gate (창의문(자하문))

2.6Km    2020-04-02

118, Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Changuimun Gate was often called Jahamun Gate. It was one of four mini-gates in the north surrounding the walled city of Hanyang (Seoul) during the Joseon dynasty. After the closure of Sukjeongmun Gate, one of the four main gates, Changuimun Gate became a favorite north gate. Hence, people also called Changuimun the North Gate. It is the only gate among four mini gates that is still in its original state. Although it is small, almost 50m² in terms of size, it looks very firm and sturdy. While Dongsomun Gate, another of the four mini gates, is decorated with a phoenix, Changuimun Gate is adorned with a wooden chicken along its rafters. The reason behind the wooden chicken was that the chicken was believed to be the nemesis of the centipede. People believed that installing the wooden chicken was important to overcome the harmful spirit of the centipede.

Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)

2.6Km    2024-03-04

18 Jong-ro 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2275-9666

Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari is a renowned restaurant located in the alley of whole chicken soup near Dongdaemun Market, operating since 1978. Its specialty is dakhanmari (whole chicken soup), a whole chicken boiled in savory and rich broth. Adding finely chopped green onions enhances its refreshing flavor. The chewy rice cakes dipped in the seasoned sauce are also delightful. Additionally, it's customary to enjoy the remaining broth by mixing it with seasoning sauce and noodles, creating a delicious kalguksu (noodle soup).

Tongdwaeji Duruchigi (통돼지두루치기)

2.6Km    2021-03-18

252-6, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-9290

This is a Korean cuisine located in Dongdaemun Gate, Seoul. It is also famous for uruchigi (Korean bouillabaisse) made by stir-frying pork and vegetables in gochujang (red pepper paste) sauce. The best menu at this restaurant is pork and kimchi stew.

CheongKwanJang - Dongdaemun Market Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 동대문시장)

2.6Km    2024-04-19

252, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

2.6Km    2023-03-13

120, Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-392-3007

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

Bugaksan Mountain (북악산)

2.6Km    2024-03-04

Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-0297

Bugaksan Mountain is the mountain that one can see behind the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Cheong Wa Dae to the north. Hanyangdoseong, the city wall that surrounded the historic capital of Hanyang, was built by connecting the ridges of this mountain. These walls can still be found today, having been preserved quite well. Different trails weave through the area along the Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall, and one can visit these trails at night as well. Bugak Skyway is a road that connects Changuimun Gate to Jeongneung Royal Tomb, and one can get a great view of Seoul’s city center from the Palgakjeong Pavilion on Bugak Skyway. 

The Unexpected Man(홀연했던 사나이)

2.6Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 259 (명륜2가)

Club Espresso (클럽에스프레소)

2.6Km    2024-02-20

132 Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Club Espresso is a café that opened in 1990, constructed with red bricks. They roast their own coffee beans, offering a diverse coffee menu. The Moon Blend, a blend of Colombian, Brazilian, Ethiopian, and Guatemalan beans, is a favorite among regulars and is made with the coffee bean ratio favored by former President Moon Jae-in. Nearby attractions include the Yun Dongju Hill (Cheongun Park) and the Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum, dedicated to the poet beloved by Koreans.

Korean Museum of Straw and Life (짚풀생활사박물관)

2.6Km    2022-09-15

45, Sungkyunkwan-ro 4-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-743-8787

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.

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

2.6Km    2024-03-04

37-7, Jongno 5(o)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-9135

Located near the Dongdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley gets its name from the restaurants serving dak hanmari (whole chicken soup) that line the alley. Dak hanmari (whole chicken soup), literally “one whole chicken” in Korean, is a dish where a whole chicken is boiled in a soup and served with the alley’s special sauce. After the diners eat the meat, the broth is used to make kalguksu (noodle soup). Because the area is home to large-scale apparel and fashion material markets of the Dongdaemun Market, the district is always lively and bustling.