Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

4.4Km 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.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

4.4Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-360-8590

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.

Buam-dong (부암동)

4.4Km 2024-03-15

Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1807

Buam-dong is a village located north of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is designated as a development-restricted zone due to its proximity to the Cheong Wa Dae, preserving the old neighborhood's appearance. There are numerous bakeries, cafés, restaurants, and small galleries housed in renovated traditional houses, making it a delightful place for a leisurely stroll. The nearby hiking trails connected to Bugaksan Mountain offer a tranquil journey through the forest, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

4.5Km 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.

Sookmyung Women's University Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum (숙명여자대학교 정영양자수박물관 (서울))

4.5Km 2019-11-15

100, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-710-9134

Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum was founded in May 2004 to enhance public awareness and appreciation of embroidery art with ample facilities including exhibition hall, library, conservation center, learning center, embroidery study room, education and research rooms. The museum emphasizes on the variety of textiles and embroidery and also features collections from various Northeast Asian countries. The Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum stresses the importance of embroidery as an evolving form of art through changes in technology, social and cultural environment. In addition, the learning center also aims to become a learning center for scholarship in embroidery and other textile arts that can be appreciated by a wide audience.

Understand Avenue (언더스탠드에비뉴)

4.5Km 2023-10-23

63, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Understand Avenue is an innovative startup platform that nurtures and builds the dreams of young entrepreneurs. It helps the talents of tomorrow work on things they want, are good at, and contribute to society through a full support process, from training to market testing, financial and investment support, and distribution and logistics support. Visitors can come to this place for socially-conscious select shops and products.
The platform also hosts pop-up stores and photography exhibitions on K-pop stars. One can also find retro-style merch beloved by the younger generations. There are plenty of things to see and splurge on, from mini figurines and key rings that capture one’s “faves” to retro and kitschy exhibitions and items inspired by the ‘70s and ‘80s. All pop-up stores and exhibitions require reservation (online reservation or on-site reservation).

Olive Young - Dapsimni Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 답십리역점)

4.5Km 2024-06-27

1F, #103, 81, Gomisul-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

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Zaha Museum (자하미술관)

4.5Km 2021-03-09

46, Changuimun-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-395-3222

Located in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Zaha Museum is the highest art gallery in Seoul. Reaching the museum involves a bit of an uphill walk, but the breathtaking scenery that includes Bugaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain makes it worth the effort.

Opened on March 1, 2008, the two-story museum exhibits experimental works of young artists. There are two exhibition halls and a small garden on the second floor with a great view of the mountains.

E-Mart - Hawolgok Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이마트 하월곡)

4.6Km 2024-04-22

167, Jongam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

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National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

4.6Km 2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

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