Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

1.8Km 2024-12-04

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.

Crap Hoe Fish - Jangchungdong Branch (크랩회피쉬 장충동)

1.8Km 2021-03-19

27-4, Dongho-ro24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2269-9968

A restaurant where live seafood is prepared and served fast. The representative menu is sliced raw fish. This Korean cuisine is located near Dongguk Univ. Station, Seoul.

Dalkanmari Dwaejihangeun (닭한마리돼지한근)

1.8Km 2021-03-18

33, Dongho-ro, 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2285-5988

A restaurant recommended by members of the Jangchung-dong Cooperative of Shopkeepers. The representative menu is spicy braised chicken. This Korean cuisine is located near Dongguk Univ. Station, Seoul.

Gohyang (고향)

1.8Km 2021-03-22

15, Jong-ro, 31ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-743-9191

A place where you can try various Korean dishes. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is bulgogi.

Doosan Art Center (두산아트센터)

1.8Km 2021-11-01

15, Jong-ro 33-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-708-5001

Doosan Art Center, which opened on October 1, 2007, is structured around three different spaces: The Yonkang Hall, exclusively designed for musical performances, Space 111, a “space for art incubation,” and the Doosan Gallery, built for installations.
The Yongang Hall, a theater with 620-person seating capacity, has specially designed lightings and a world-class audio-visual system to provide a second-to-none sensory experience.
Space 111 can accommodate a broad range of performing arts, from theater and dance to film and music concerts. The Doosan Gallery is open to the public, and art exhibitions and performances here can be enjoyed free of charge.
All three theaters include spacious lobbies with handicapped access, designated seating for parents with infants, and meeting areas. Rest rooms are also available nearby, in order to avoid long queues and long walks during intermission.

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

1.8Km 2025-06-17

Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Songhyeon Green Plaza, located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongno, is a space for culture and rest. The site was formerly used as housing for Shiksan Bank during Japanese rule. After Korea’s liberation, it served as a residence for the US Embassy and military personnel. Later in 1997, it was returned to the Korean government but remained unused for years. In 2022, the ownership was transferred to the Korean House and Land Corporation and then to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which redeveloped it into a green plaza and opened it to the public. Upon entering the plaza, visitors are greeted by a spacious lawn adorned with flowers during the blooming season. The plaza is connected to the nearby tourist attractions through shortcuts cutting through it, including Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insa-dong, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

Yeonji-dong Sundubu (연지동순두부)

1.8Km 2021-03-22

10, Daehak-ro, 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-762-0593

This place sells a variety of soft tofu dishes. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is seafood and soft bean curd stew.

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

1.8Km 2024-07-09

45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0274

Gyeonghuigung Palace, a designated Historic Site, was originally called the large palace by Saemun Gate, or the Western Palace, for its location within the city. It was not until the eighth year of Gwanghaegun (1616) that the palace was used as a royal residence for the king, changing the name to Gyeongdeokgung Palace. The name later changed again to the current Gyeonghuigung Palace in 1760. The palace grounds included many halls but they were mostly all burned down in a fire in 1829. After the Japanese occupation began, all remaining buildings on the site were torn down and the palace grounds were turned into Gyeongseong Middle School (now Seoul High School). The school moved to Gangnam area in 1987, afterwhich the previous location was turned into a park. The palace grounds currently hold Seoul Museum of Art and walking paths, as well as a restoration of Heunghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace, and Sungjeongjeon Hall, the main hall, completed in November 1994.

Gallery Hyundai (갤러리 현대)

1.8Km 2021-03-18

14, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2287-3500

Gallery Hyundai has been improving daily for over 40 years since April 1970, working closely with various Korean artists in modern art. Gallery Hyundai introduces varied artists including prominent artists, as well as up-and-coming artists, regardless of genre through sophisticated exhibitions, showing domestic and overseas art all in one place.

Dugahun (두가헌)

1.8Km 2024-03-20

23 Yulgok-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-2100

Dugahun is a wine restaurant near Gyeongbokgung Palace, meaning "a very beautiful house." Located in a traditional hanok from the 1910s, it offers a taste of Western culture with wine. Only lunch and dinner courses are available, and customers can select wines from the underground wine cellar or bring their own. Across the street, Gallery Dugahun, housed in a historic Russian-style brick building built in the late period of Joseon, showcases high-quality art pieces.

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