Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

379.0M 442614 2024-05-16

Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2290-7111

Cheonggye Plaza was built on Sejong-ro Street, where Cheonggyecheon Stream begins. It was built between Dong-A Ilbo, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Sindap Railroad Bridge, with a length of 160 meters, a x_width of 50 meters, and a total area of 6,962 meters squared. The plaza is decorated with fountains, waterfalls, and walking paths. It was created as a place for meetings, harmony, peace, and unification, to celebrate the significance of the restoration of Cheonggyecheon Stream. A miniaturized version of Cheonggyecheon Stream is displayed here, providing an overview of the restored stream. There are also interpretive panels about the 22 bridges that cross Cheonggyecheon stream. Fountains of various shapes create beautiful scenery. Cheonggyecheon Stream is accessible from the square through stairs on the left and Cheonggye Trail on the right. There is also an 18-meter tunnel on the Cheonggye Trail, providing a unique experience for citizens entering Cheonggyecheon Stream from the plaza. After constructing Cheonggyecheon Plaza, the Seoul Metropolitan Government made it a car-free street on public holidays so that the plaza, waterside area, and streets could be used as cultural spaces for citizens to relax. A spectacular sight is created by three-color lights illuminating the fountains and a two-tiered waterfall coming down from a x_height of four meters. Palseokdam, made of eight stones from eight provinces in Korea, was laid along the waterfall's sides.

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

379.9M 19476 2021-02-24

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

379.4M 57379 2024-03-04

37-7, Jongno 5(o)-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2236-9135

Located near the Dongdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley gets its name from the restaurants serving dak hanmari (whole chicken soup) that line the alley. Dak hanmari (whole chicken soup), literally “one whole chicken” in Korean, is a dish where a whole chicken is boiled in a soup and served with the alley’s special sauce. After the diners eat the meat, the broth is used to make kalguksu (noodle soup). Because the area is home to large-scale apparel and fashion material markets of the Dongdaemun Market, the district is always lively and bustling.

Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)

392.2M 31705 2024-03-04

18 Jong-ro 40ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2275-9666

Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari is a renowned restaurant located in the alley of whole chicken soup near Dongdaemun Market, operating since 1978. Its specialty is dakhanmari (whole chicken soup), a whole chicken boiled in savory and rich broth. Adding finely chopped green onions enhances its refreshing flavor. The chewy rice cakes dipped in the seasoned sauce are also delightful. Additionally, it's customary to enjoy the remaining broth by mixing it with seasoning sauce and noodles, creating a delicious kalguksu (noodle soup).

Mary Jane [Tax Refund Shop] (메리제인)

398.8M 0 2024-04-22

236-1, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

401.8M 102301 2023-03-23

288, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1842

Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed essential government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453, and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.

The gate features a hipped roof with five front and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle-shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.

One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period.

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회)

408.9M 237564 2024-04-19

288 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-1744~7

Started approximately 1,200 years ago during the Silla dynasty and continued through the Goryeo Yeon Deung Hoe and Joseon lantern festival, the Yeon Deung Hoe Festival is a traditional festival registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The lanterns at Yeon Deung Hoe Festival brighten the heart and the world!

Hoopcity Dongdaemun [Tax Refund Shop] (HOOPCITY 동대문)

408.7M 0 2024-04-18

1F, 324, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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The Ssanghwa Coffee (더쌍화coffee)

415.3M 0 2023-11-03

252-3 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Sssanghwa Coffee, located near Dongdaemun Market, is a tea house serving traditional medicinal teas. In matching with their menu, the cafe is also decorated like a room found in a traditional Korean house. The cafe is comprised of three buildings, with the main building being for orders, and the Byeolgung and Ssanghwagung buildings offering seating. Each traditional tea order comes as a set with food items such as rice porriage, fruit, or rice cakes. The cafe also offers rooms which are very popular, so making a reservation is necessary.

Queens Bucket - Dongdaemun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (쿠엔즈버킷 동대문)

420.6M 0 2024-04-18

5-4, Toegye-ro 64-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) - Area information - Korea travel information