Sangchonjae House (상촌재)

9.0Km 2025-11-06

12-11 , Jahamun-ro 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sangchonjae House, run by the Jongno Cultural Foundation, is a traditional hanok cultural space located in Sejong Village, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, and operates various cultural Korean programs such as exhibitions, educational experiences, and events to fully experience Korea's four seasons. The name Sangchonjae was conceived from the old name of Sejong Village, the western part of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the birthplace of King Sejong. The house reflects the lifestyle of an ordinary peasant during the Joseon dynasty. It consists of three buildings: the main building, the guesthouse known as sarangchae, and the annex. There is an experience center indoors offering tea ceremonies and traditional game experiences.

Hongdae (Hongik University Street) (홍대)

9.0Km 2025-04-14

20 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hongdae is a neighborhood known for its youthful ambience, with shops selling everything from clothing and cosmetics to living goods and books, as well as unique cafés and restaurants. The streets are also filled with buskers and dance performances, making a walk here quite entertaining. Special streets such as ateliers’ street (lined with private institutions for art students preparing for university entrance exams), Picasso’s Street, and Club Street are also must-go places for anyone hoping to fully experience the Hongdae area.

Daejanggeum (대장금)

9.0Km 2024-11-29

300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3213-4534

Daejanggeum serves traditional Korea meals, reinterpreting royal dishes from the Joseon dynasty. Daejanggeum faithfully uses only the best local ingredients to make all their food, from the soybeans used for soy sauce and soybean paste, to kimchi. In addition to the food, guests can enjoy dining with lacquerware from Korea's Holder of Intangible Heritage, Mr. Yi Jin-ho, and forged works by 5th generation blacksmith, Cha Ingyu.

Lotte World Aquarium (롯데월드 아쿠아리움)

9.0Km 2024-03-12

B1, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

Lotte World Aquarium, located in Lotte World Mall, is an aquarium that replicates the marine ecosystems of the world's five oceans. It exhibits over 55,000 marine animals of 650 species. It features a Marine Eco Hall, an Amazon River Hall, and a Penguin Hall. Visitors can participate in various programs such as feeding sessions for different animals including penguins and jellyfish touch experiences, allowing them to get up close with marine life.

Lotte World Tower SEOUL SKY (롯데월드타워 서울스카이)

9.0Km 2024-11-28

300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-1661-2000

SEOUL SKY is located on floors 117-123 of Lotte World Tower, the nation's tallest and the world's fifth tallest building. The observatory offers a panoramic view of the entire capital city, beautiful both day and night. SEOUL SKY is comprised of an exhibition zone, observation deck, sky deck, dessert cafe, sky terrace, lounge, and more.

To get to Seoul Sky, visitors have to take the Sky Shuttle, a double-deck elevator that reaches a speed of 600 meters per minute. The one-minute ride feels quite short while watching the videos playing on the walls and ceiling. While waiting for the elevator up, visitors can enjoy art in the exhibition zone in basement levels 1-2. The exhibition includes artwork displaying the history, culture, and pride of Korea's foundation and success over the centuries. Visitors can also purchase Seoul Sky merchandise from the gift shop to remember their trip or give as a souvenir.

The observation deck has two story-high glass windows for an uninterrupted view. The Sky Deck, located at 478 meters, holds the Guinness World Record as the highest glass-floored observatory in the world. On days when visibility is limited, visitors can still enjoy a clear sky through the Sky Theater. The 120 floor holds the Sky Terrace, open to the elements.

Visitors looking for refreshments can enjoy the one-of-a-kind menu served at the dessert cafe Sky Friends Cafe on level 119, or refreshing wine sold at the premium lounge on floor 123. This cozy space is the highest lounge in Seoul and is perfect for taking in the view in a relaxing ambiance.

Tonymoly - Hongdae Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (토니모리 홍대)

9.0Km 2024-04-23

1, Hongik-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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Samcheong-dong Street (삼청동길)

9.0Km 2025-01-22

107 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

It is said that Samcheong-dong was named from the story about the three "cheong" (Chinese character meaning clean) of the area, namely the mountain, water, and people. Another theory is that the origin of the region's name came from Samcheongjeon Hall where three tablets called "Taecheong," "Sangcheong," and "Okcheong," were set up based on Taoism. Samcheong-dong Street features a mixture of old scenes of hanok buildings with traditional beauty and modern scenes of galleries and cafés, creating a unique atmosphere. Visitors can feel the abundant cultural mood at every corner of the street through the art galleries, museums, antique shops, and quiet pathways.

Hongdae Nanta Theatre (홍대난타전용관)

9.0Km 2021-08-27

29, Yanghwa-ro 16-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-8288

Located in Hongdae, a signature of youth and cultural streets, Hongdae Nanta Theater has 323 seats and offers two performances daily.

Converse - Hongdae Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (컨버스 홍대점)

9.0Km 2024-06-27

22, Hongik-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

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

9.0Km 2025-08-20

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.

Sangchonjae House (상촌재) - Area information - Korea travel information