Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

9.1Km 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.

Gwanak Kang Gam-chan Festival (관악강감찬축제)

9.1Km 2025-07-11

77 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-828-5765

The Gwanak Gang Gam-chan Festival is a historical and cultural event held to honor the patriotic spirit of General Gang Gam-chan, a famous general from the Goryeo Dynasty. The festival is known for its impressive night events, fitting for the location named after a falling star, and features a variety of parades and performances.

◎ Gang Gam-chan and Nakseongdae
General Gang Gam-chan of Goryeo is said to have been born at the place where the fourth star of the Big Dipper fell. This place is called Nakseongdae, which means “the place where the star fell.”

CheongKwanJang - Seoul Nat’l Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 서울대)

9.1Km 2024-04-18

Store #102, Yeseong Officetel, 1798, Nambusunhwan-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul

-

Inwangsa Temple (인왕사 (서울))

9.1Km 2020-04-02

16-1, Tongil-ro 18ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-4434

Inwangsa Temple refers to the entire cluster of small Buddhist temples located on Inwangsan Mountain (alt. 338m) in the heart of Seoul. The eastern foot of the mountain has many scenic spots with its distinctively cozy and tasteful atmosphere, and the northern area called Mugye-dong also offers beautiful scenery. Inwangsa Temple was established in the early Joseon period (1392-1910) to guard the national palace Gyeongbokbung. The temple is comprised of 11 shrines from five different Buddhist orders. The unique design of each shrine adds pleasure to hikers on their way up to Seonbawi, an unusual rock formation that is a site of many folk beliefs and shamanist rites.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

9.1Km 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.

Amsa-dong Prehistoric Site Museum (암사동선사유적박물관)

9.2Km 2023-12-22

875 Olympic-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

The archaeological sites in Amsa-dong, Seoul, were a collective settlement where people lived during the Neolithic Age about 6,000 years ago and became known to the world after the sand dunes along the Hangang River caved in during the great flood of 1925, exposing numerous pieces of comb-patterned pottery. The area designated as a historic site in 1979, and excavation of the site took place from 1981 to 1988. The cultural heritage protection area was expanded to a total area of 78,133㎡. Currently, nine Neolithic dugout huts and one experiential dugout hut have been restored. The exhibitions currently open to the public are Exhibition Hall 1, which displays a restoration of a Neolithic Age dugout, and Exhibition Hall 2, which displays various panels and models to help understand the prehistoric era as a whole.

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

9.2Km 2023-08-17

185-3, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 옥인동

Suseong-dong Valley's stream runs down from Inwangsan Mountain and joins Cheonggyecheon Stream, and it is said that the name of the village was called Suseong-dong during the Joseon dynasty due to the loud and clear sound of the flowing water. It appears in the painting "Jangdong Palgyeongcheop," which is Jangdong Eight Scenic Views, that depicts the eight scenic views of Bugaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain as well as in other historical books of the Joseon dynasty as a place of scenic beauty. The valley was so famous for its beauty, that Prince Anpyeong of the Joseon dynasty built his house "Bihaedang" to fully enjoy the view, and the valley and its stone bridge were designated as a cultural property of Seoul in 2010.

Jihwaja (지화자)

9.2Km 2024-03-18

125 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2269-5834

Jihwaja is a traditional Korean restaurant operated by a successor of Joseon dynasty royal dishes. Their manchan course (full course) includes menus served at royal banquets such as gungjung manchan (royal course), Jineo-byul manchan (deluxe royal degustation course), and janggeum manchan (daejanggeum degustation course) courses. The janggeum course reconstructs dishes from the drama "Dae Jang Geum." For the Jeongchan course (Set menu), they offer so galbi sura (grilled beef ribs course), jeonbok cho sura (braised abalones in soy sauce course), so galbi jjim sura (braised beef short ribs course), and haemul sinseollo sura (seafood hot pot course). Additionally, they serve milk porridge, meat and vegetable skewers, mandu, royal hot pot, and grilled marinated beef.

Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong, Seoul (서울 암사동 유적)

9.2Km 2021-07-27

875, Olympic-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3425-6520

The Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong reproduces the lifestyle of the Neolithic Era. Even the entrance gate is shaped like a huge dolmen and the trash cans are ancient diagonal-line patterned earthenware. Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong was excavated in 1925 when a flood washed away the soil on the banks of the Hangang River and exposed a large number of diagonal-line patterned earthenware. After several excavations, the Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong was established.

The site was a location for a massive colony, thus many ancient buildings, stone axes and stone arrows have been uncovered as well as countless diagonal-line patterned earthenware. The housing site is round with a spot in the center for fire. The site is colossal and possesses nine mud huts, two exhibition halls displaying ancient artifacts and an open mud hut where visitors can experience life in the Neolithic Era. The site offers many attractions such as mud huts and promenades. Archaeological Site in Amsa-dong is also very educational for children and families who want to learn and experience the Neolithic Age.

Yeouido Hangang Park (여의도한강공원)

9.2Km 2024-10-29

330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0561

Situated in Yeouido, the heart of politics, media, banking and finance, Yeouido Hangang Park is easily accessible via public transportation. The park hosts many exciting events, from the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival in spring to the International Fireworks Festival in fall, as well as concerts and marathons throughout the year. Well-preserved natural areas such as Bamseom Island and Yeouido Saetgang Tributary provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about nature and ecology. In addition, thanks to the Hangang Renaissance Project, the park is full of new attractions: the Water Light Square, waterside fountains, a riverside stage, a yacht marina, and more.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information