Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

1.0Km 2022-12-14

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Ipamnamu - Insa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이팝나무 인사)

1.0Km 2024-04-18

4, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길)

1.0Km 2020-03-21

Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

The street in front of Cheongwadae (the Blue House) is open to the public and includes both Hyoja Samgeori (Hyoja three-way intersection) in Hyoja-dong and Palpan Samgeori (Palpan three-way inetersection) in Palpan-dong. When walking along Hyoja-ro Road from Gyeongbokgung Station, sights include a fountain, Mugunghwa Garden, Yeonmugwan Hall, and Daegogak & Yeongbingwan Hall.

Cheongwadae Sarangchae consists of one basement level and two above-ground levels, including Korean Culture Exhibition Hall, Planned Exhibition Hall, a gift shop, and rest area (Korean Food Promotion Hall, Café) on the first floor and Cheongwadae Hall and Haengboknuri Hall on the second floor. Daegogak Hall houses a book donated to former president, Kim Young-sam for expressing the past spirit of Sinmungo (Petitioner's drum from Korean History). Yeonmugwan Hall is a martial art and fitness center for guards. Mugunghwa Dongsan, formed after the ansa (Safe House) was demolished in 1993, includes a well, mock fortress, and rest area. Located behind Mugunghwa Dongsan is Apostolic Nunciature in Korea and Chilgung (Seven Palaces).

At the beginning of the street in front of Cheongwadae, dense trees and beautiful flower gardens decorating both sides of the road make it a nice place for taking a walk. The area from the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Chunchumun, to the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geonchunmun, is Samcheongdong-gil Road. This road is home to many art galleries, including Kukje Gallery, Growrich Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Jin Art gallery, in the area of Hyoja-ro.

Kimchigol Well-being Bapsang(김치골웰빙밥상)

1.0Km 2024-10-14

22-5 Insadong-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-6436

A restaurant where you can try kimchi, a Korean traditional dish, and meat. The representative menu is kimchi cabbage wraps with pork. This is a Korean cuisine located in Insa-dong, Seoul.

Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery (서울아트센터 공평갤러리)

1.1Km 2021-06-19

24, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4214-0070

Opened in 1992, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery is a 17,791㎡, two-story building with four exhibition halls. It is one of the main galleries of Insa-dong, displaying diverse artwork ranging from Western and Korean paintings to sculptures. Due to the great interest in Korean paintings, 2~3 of the annual long-term exhibitions focus solely on them.

Yeojingop (여진곱)

1.1Km 2021-03-19

430, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-762-5157

A gopchang (intestine) restaurant located near Nakwon Music Mall. The best menu at this restaurant is beef small intestine hot pot/pork small intestine hot pot. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Teafference Seoul (티퍼런스서울)

1.1Km 2024-02-01

61 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Teafference Seoul is where visitors can taste purple tea made from purple tea leaves that grow naturally on the 1,800-meter plateau in Kenya. As a café and a cultural complex, it comprises a gallery tea café on the first floor where one can enjoy purple tea and art exhibitions, a beauty shop on the second floor, and a rooftop on the third floor. Exhibitions of paintings and photographs are always held using the walls and staircase landings of the spacious interior, making it a great place to relax while enjoying a cup of tea. In addition, this place has an appealing vibe, making it especially popular on social media. Not only is purple tea pretty in color, but it also has less caffeine than green tea or black tea, thus serves as a suitable option for the health-conscious. A variety of menu items are available, including Teafference Signature Purple Tea, Teafference Purple Milk Tea, and Teafference Purple Tea Einspanner. Another recommended menu item is Purple Tea-Makase, a course menu which serves several types of purple tea and desserts.

Ikseon-dong (익선동)

1.1Km 2024-10-29

Ikseon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ikseon-dong is a place where the harmony of alleys and hanok houses exudes beautiful charm and is a must-visit spot for tourists of all ages and genders. It is also an area that connects the younger and older generations.

National Souvenirs Center [Tax Refund Shop] (한국관광명품점)

1.1Km 2024-04-23

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Salon Sulla (살롱순라)

1.1Km 2021-03-30

75, Yulgok-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6409-0027

It is a restaurant, decorated in a hanok style, that sells Western dishes. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is pollack roe pasta.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) - Area information - Korea travel information