Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

7.8Km 2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Gahoe Museum (가회민화박물관)

7.8Km 2025-10-31

52 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-0466

Opened in 2002, Gahoe Museum exhibits folk paintings and amulets reflecting the lifestyle and wishes of the Korean people from ancient times. Inside the Hanok gallery, visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of Korea, including old paintings depicting people's lifestyle in the past and religious beliefs, and roof tiles in the shape of humans or goblins. Visitors will also find folding screens and religious objects used in the past that show skills and knowledge of Korean ancestors.

K-medi Spring (한강애봄)

7.8Km 2025-12-09

6th Floor, 63 Dongsomun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

HanGang AeBom is a certified agency specializing in attracting international patients, offering customized programs that combine Korea’s advanced medical services with tourism. The agency collaborates with medical institutions to arrange consultations, interpretation, accommodation, and travel itineraries.

Dong-Lim Knot Museum (동림매듭박물관)

7.8Km 2021-12-21

10, Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3673-2778

Opened in April 2004, Dong-Lim Knot Museum exhibits a variety of decorative traditional Korean maedeup (knots): norigae for hanbok, belts, pouches, as well as materials like thread, cord, and accessories. Housed in a hanok, a traditional Korean house, the gallery has a variety of exhibits, including old and new artwork, and creations that reflect modern trends.

Osulloc - National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오설록 현대미술관)

7.8Km 2024-04-23

30, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Inwoohouse [Korea Quality] / 인우하우스 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.8Km 2023-09-12

1-9 , Gyedong 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-1115

Inwoo House is a traditional hanok down an alley in Gye-dong, Jongno, Seoul. There is a swallow's nest under the eaves, and the pride of this house is that the swallow family returns every spring. Each room in the house has a private bathroom. Residents can sample Korean culture by taking part in traditional paper crafts, knot bracelet making, and fan decorating. The location is convenient for restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores, and Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Insadong, and Samcheong-dong are all within walking distance.

DAHMSOJUNG[Korea Quality] / 담소정[한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

7.8Km 2025-01-06

16-2, Bukchon-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
010-3749-9550

Dahmsojung, meaning ‘a house full of laughs’, is a hanok guesthouse that provides sincere services and comfortable relaxation. Located in the middle of Seoul’s city center, this hanok hotel-class guesthouse was built using traditional hanok construction materials including the 200-years-old Korean land pine from Gyeongju, and clay for rooms. The owner originally bought the land to build the residential area for the family, but wishing to promote the charms of the hanok building to foreigners, it was opened as a guesthouse in October 2012. This hanok guesthouse with modern elements is decorated with refined interior items. It provides a special breakfast that consists of steamed rice wrapped in a lotus leaf and tasty side dishes without any artificial seasonings. All the vegetables used for the meals are organic and cultivated by the owner. It also uses refined objects including high quality tableware, bedding (cotton bedclothes with colored stripes), authentic ceramics, lacquered painting by an artisan, and artistic living items. It carries out a cleaning and disinfection process every day as well. In particular, Hinoki cypress with a subtle scent was used for the bathroom. The home bar was installed especially for foreign guests who find it difficult to sit on the floor in the kitchen. These detailed consideration and decorations have attracted many guests including foreign diplomats, VIPs, and so on. It also operates a hands-on programs including ‘calligraphy’ and ‘making a fan’ that are held on the main floored room and are popular among foreign guests. Dahmsojung offers guests sophisticated services and comfortable facilities with a clean and traditional atmosphere that attracts many domestic and foreign guests.

Yeonwoohouse [Korea Quality] / 연우하우스 [한국관광 품질인증]

7.9Km 2023-09-12

5-13 , Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-1115

Yeonoo House is a quiet and cozy traditional hanok in Bukchon Hanok Village, Jongno, Seoul. There are two small rooms, each with its own bathroom. Residents can access a superb panoramic view of Bukchon Hanok Village by mounting a ladder up to the roof. As Yeonoo is an old building, careful attention is paid to hygiene management. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheonggyeonggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace are all nearby.

Mongchon Museum of History (몽촌역사관)

7.9Km 2021-08-13

424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2152-5900

The Mongchon Museum of History, located within Olympic Park, displays artifacts from the excavations of Mongchontoseong Fortress, such as earthen fortifications as well as other artifacts of the Baekje Kingdom period, offering a glimpse into Baekje culture. A model of a Baekje dugout hut site reveals ancient dwelling patterns. Also, the facility displays a perfectly preserved model of ancient houses and tombs, giving visitors the feel of traveling back to prehistoric ages.

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

7.9Km 2024-07-09

45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0274

Gyeonghuigung Palace, a designated Historic Site, was originally called the large palace by Saemun Gate, or the Western Palace, for its location within the city. It was not until the eighth year of Gwanghaegun (1616) that the palace was used as a royal residence for the king, changing the name to Gyeongdeokgung Palace. The name later changed again to the current Gyeonghuigung Palace in 1760. The palace grounds included many halls but they were mostly all burned down in a fire in 1829. After the Japanese occupation began, all remaining buildings on the site were torn down and the palace grounds were turned into Gyeongseong Middle School (now Seoul High School). The school moved to Gangnam area in 1987, afterwhich the previous location was turned into a park. The palace grounds currently hold Seoul Museum of Art and walking paths, as well as a restoration of Heunghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace, and Sungjeongjeon Hall, the main hall, completed in November 1994.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) - Area information - Korea travel information