Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.8Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden (남산 야외식물원)

2.8Km 2022-12-16

323, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-3771

Namsan Outdoor Botanical Garden opened its doors on February 18, 1997 in Hannam-dong, where the residential complex for foreigners once stood before it was demolished in 1994. Covering an area of around 59 ㎡, it is divided into 13 themed gardens with a total 117,132 plants from 269 species. Among this diversity, 60,912 plants from 129 species are tree types and 56,220 plants from 140 species are grass types.

Olive Young - Dongmyo Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 동묘앞역)

2.8Km 2024-04-17

37-1, Jibong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Suitsupply - Gyeongnidangil Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (수트서플라이 경리단길점)

2.9Km 2024-04-18

89, Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Alleys of Changsin-dong (창신동골목길)

2.9Km 2024-10-30

38, Jibong-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

K-movie <PARASITE> - A town full of nostalgia
On the day Kitaek's family returned home, the torrential rain flowed ferociously in streams. The alleys of Changsin-dong, with its narrow and steep stairs, were a good backdrop for visually representing the condition of the Kitaek’s family, who were about to fall. Changsin-dong is a warm and charming neighborhood where traces of the 70s and 80s can be felt.

Appe Seoul (아뻬서울)

2.9Km 2021-03-24

1, Changgyeonggung-ro, 35na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-7390-8742

You can eat honey cake that you cannot enjoy anywhere else. This cafe is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is coffee.

Lush Korea - Gyeongnidangil Spa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (㈜러쉬코리아 경리단길 스파)

2.9Km 2024-04-23

2F, 10, Hoenamu-ro 42-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Lush Korea - Gyeongnidangil Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (㈜러쉬코리아 경리단길점)

2.9Km 2024-04-19

1F, 10, Hoenamu-ro 42-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.9Km 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.

La Cucina (라 쿠치나)

2.9Km 2019-08-01

10, Hoenamu-ro 44ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-6005

La Cucina, located across from the main gate of the Grand Hyatt Seoul, is an Italian restaurant that opened in 1990. The kitchen of the restaurant is divided into five different sections each offering its own carefully selected cuisine. The main menu includes lobster spaghetti, Mediterranean seafood spaghetti and grilled lamb.

The restaurant offers over 700 bottles of wine from its cellar located in the basement of the restaurant. An in-house sommelier will assist you in choosing the best wine. At night, you may enjoy a fantastic view of the Namsan Seoul Tower while dining out on the terrace.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문) - Area information - Korea travel information