Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

2.7Km 2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Kansong Art Museum (간송미술관(서울 보화각))

2.7Km 2025-06-30

102-11 Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Kansong Art Museum was the first private art museum in Korea, opened as Bohwagak in 1938 by Kansong Jeon Hyeong-pil. The name was changed to the current Kansong Art Museum in 1966. Bohwagak was designated as National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 768 on December 30, 2019. Jeon Hyeong-pil dedicated his life to preserving and researching Korea’s representative relics that were devaluated and purposefully obliterated during the Japanese colonial era, as well as to acknowledging their cultural excellence and beauty. The museum houses 11 national treasures and 24 treasures.

KGC - Dongmyo Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (KGC 동묘점)

2.7Km 2024-04-22

347, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town (신당동떡볶이골목)

2.7Km 2022-10-25

10-18, Dasan-ro 33-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-9135

Sindang-dongTteokbokki Town started in the late '70s, although the alley did not become famous until the '80s. At that time, each restaurant had its own DJ booth, with the image of the "cool DJ" who played the music becoming a symbol of Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town. In addition, this period also marked the prime time of high school baseball where students would crowd the streets on days when Duksoo Commercial High School and Sunrin Commercial High School (now Sunrin Internet High School) played against one another. Although these high school students have aged, they continue to visit the area, reliving their youth and continuing to indulge in the specialty tteokbokki.

However, some claim the history of this alley began in the 1950s. The owner of Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki restaurant says tteokbokki was being sold as early as 1953 as the area used to be home to Donga Theater and she sold tteokbokki, corn and potatoes to those visiting the theater. At first, tteokbokki was simply made with gochujang (red chili paste) but as time went by, cooks decided the dish could be more than just a snack. By adding ingredients like eggs, cellophane noodles, fish cakes, instant noodles and more recently squid, prawn and cheese, tteokbokki can be made more delicious and turns this beloved snack into a full meal.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.7Km 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.

Seongbuk Global Food Festival Nurimasil (성북세계음식축제 누리마실)

2.7Km 2021-11-26

1, Seongbuk-ro 8ga-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-6906-9298

Seongbuk Global Food Festival Nurimasil provides visitors with a chance to enjoy cultures from around the world in one place through food and arts. It is truly an international event open to visitors worldwide to experience unity and learn more about other cultures.

I Love Sindangdong Tteokbokki (아이러브신당동떡볶이)

2.7Km 2024-03-07

50, Toegye-ro 76-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2232-7872

Situated in Sindang-dong Tteokbokki Town, I Love Sindangdong Tteokbokki is a famous tteokbokki restaurant. Tteokbokki is a typical Korean street food, consisting of rice cakes made with flour or rice flour and stir-fried in red chili paste. The rice cakes are simmered in a broth with seasonings, along with fish cakes, vegetables, boiled eggs, mandu, and other ingredients. The best thing is that the dish can be customized with various ingredients such as cheese, ramyeon noodles, chewy noodles, and ham. Leftover broth can be fried with rice for a satisfying meal.

Seongbuk-dong Jip(성북동집)

2.7Km 2020-12-24

4 Seongbuk-ro 24-gil Seongbuk-gu Seoul
+82-2-747-6234

This restaurant in Seongbuk-dong is famous for its Kalguksu (chopped noodle soup) and dumplings. This restaurant's signature menu is noodle soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Seongbuk-dong Jip (성북동집)

2.7Km 2021-03-29

4, Seongbuk-ro 24-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-747-6234

This restaurant in Seongbuk-dong is famous for its Kalguksu (chopped noodle soup) and dumplings. This restaurant's signature menu is noodle soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Youngone Corporation [Tax Refund Shop] (주식회사 영원무역)

2.8Km 2024-04-19

159, Mallijae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information