Bugaksan Mountain (북악산)

4.3Km 2024-03-04

Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-0297

Bugaksan Mountain is the mountain that one can see behind the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Cheong Wa Dae to the north. Hanyangdoseong, the city wall that surrounded the historic capital of Hanyang, was built by connecting the ridges of this mountain. These walls can still be found today, having been preserved quite well. Different trails weave through the area along the Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall, and one can visit these trails at night as well. Bugak Skyway is a road that connects Changuimun Gate to Jeongneung Royal Tomb, and one can get a great view of Seoul’s city center from the Palgakjeong Pavilion on Bugak Skyway.

Mok In Museum Mok Seok Won (목인박물관 목석원)

4.3Km 2021-09-01

46-1, Changuimun-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-5066

Mok In Museum Mok Seok Won relocated in 2019 from Insa-dong to Buam-dong. Six exhibition halls offer visitors a look at wooden figures from around the world. Mokin refers to traditional wooden sculptures carved in shapes of human figures or various animals. The museum holds around 12,000 wooden folk sculptures including those used to decorate funeral carriages and temples mostly from the Joseon dynasty up to modern times. The museum also has an outdoor exhibition hall that harmonizes the sculptures with nature.

The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

4.3Km 2022-12-29

29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-709-3144

The War Memorial of Korea, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, exhibits and preserves materials related to the Korean War and serves as a national moral educational venue. It was established on June 10, 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs. The museum houses approximately 33,000 artifacts with about 10,000 on display at indoor and outdoor exhibitions. There are six separate indoor halls, including Expeditionary Forces Room, Patriotic Memorial Room, War History Room, 6·25 Korean War Room, Development Hall and Large Machinery Room. The outdoor exhibition showcases large-sized weapons. Visitors of all ages from children to adults can also participate in 20 various educational programs and diverse cultural events such as military music and honor guard events, drawing contest, cultural event and more. The character of War Memorial of Korea is ‘Mudori’ featuring a helmet symbolizing the protection of the nation and a bay leaf meaning peace.

Waple Wood Artwork Place (와플목공방)

4.4Km 2025-10-30

5-6 Wangsimni-ro 10-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Interior items made from wood
This workshop is visited by celebrities such as Park Narae of the entertainment program 'I Live Alone' and KAI of EXO. It is also the place where the senior wooden box that appeared in the movie 'PARASITE' was made. You can make your own interior accessories such as chairs and tabletops using hardwood. One-day classes on making ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils are also popular.

Whanki Art Museum (환기미술관)

4.4Km 2024-03-04

63, Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-391-7701

Whanki Art Museum exhibits the works of Kim Whanki (1913-1974), the pioneer of Korean abstract art. Kim was inspired by traditional features such as Korean mountains and streams, the sky, moons and clouds, the white porcelain and traditional patterns, and worked to express them in abstract forms through points, lines, and surfaces. The main collection features nearly 300 works by Kim. One can also find an art shop and a café.

D MUSEUM Seongsu (디뮤지엄 성수)

4.4Km 2023-11-06

83-21, Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6233-7200

D MUSEUM greets the general public with its catchphrase, “an art museum where daily life becomes art.” In 2021, the museum relocated to the area near Seoul Forest Park, so that it could accommodate more visitors in its space. The museum not only hosts exhibitions by prominent photographers like Nick Knight (NICK KNIGHT: IMAGE, 2016) and Linda McCartney (Linda McCartney Retrospective, 2014) but also leads the efforts to promote awareness among the general public through invitational exhibitions featuring up-and-coming artists. Its relocation to Seoul Forest Park was marked by the special exhibition “Romantic Days,” which garnered much interest among the visitors as a chance to meet the works of artists born in the ‘80s and the ‘90s.

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 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.

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.

Bugaksan Mountain (북악산) - Area information - Korea travel information