Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) - Area information - Korea travel information

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

12.8 Km    417762     2024-06-19

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

12.8 Km    38032     2024-03-06

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon Dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year. 

Columbia - Konkuk Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (컬럼비아 건대)

Columbia - Konkuk Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (컬럼비아 건대)

12.8 Km    0     2024-04-16

1F, 59, Dongil-ro 20-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

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57 Myeongdong Hostel [Korea Quality] / 57명동호스텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

57 Myeongdong Hostel [Korea Quality] / 57명동호스텔 [한국관광 품질인증]

12.8 Km    4141     2024-07-30

57 , Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-8835, +82-10-3262-3503

Located in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, 57 Myeongdong Hostel is easy to remember because its name is the same as its address! Just a 5-minute walk from an airport bus-stop, and a 3-minute walk from Myeongdong metro station, the hostel offers single rooms with ensuite bathrooms, and is popular with single travelers or those on business trips. Breakfast, coffee and tea are provided free, and a mini washing machine can be used without charge. The hostel is close to the Myeongdong shopping district, and is also convenient for nearby tourist attractions. Tourist information and reservation services are provided at the front desk.

Seoul Former Russian Legation (서울 구 러시아공사관)

Seoul Former Russian Legation (서울 구 러시아공사관)

12.8 Km    12737     2020-06-18

21-18, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5882

The Russian Legation was built in a Renaissance style in 1890. Russian architect, A. J. Scredin Sabatine designed the structure. In 1895, during the Joseon dynasty, the Eulmisabyeon Incident took place as a show of force by the Japanese.

Empress Myeongseong-hwanghu was emerging as a strong figure in Korea at a time when a power struggle between Japan, China, Russia, and other powers were taking place. Japanese Minister, Miura Goro saw her as a threat and ordered her assassination. After hearing news of the Empress’s assassination, King Gojong and the Crown Prince sought refuge in the Russian Embassy for one year.

After 1945, the Soviet Union took over the embassy until it was almost completely destroyed by a fire during the Korean War [1950~1953]. The only remaining parts of the building are the tower and basement areas. The building was restored to its current condition in 1973 and is now enjoyed by many as a public park.

Amsa Ecological Park (암사생태공원)

Amsa Ecological Park (암사생태공원)

12.8 Km    10817     2017-01-12

83-66, Seonsa-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0501


Amsa Ecological Park (located in Amsa-dong) is a large scenic park with long winding trails passing by reeds and other beautiful plants of the Han River. It is here as well that visitors can watch the flight of Korea’s migratory birds. The Ecological Park is famous for its beautiful scenery and its lush groves of reeds and pussy willows growing alongside the natural riverside road. Wild roses, loosestrifes, and tiger lilies are in bloom from spring to fall and the observation deck gives visitors a beautiful view of Han River and the area’s wide variety of birds such as reed warblers, titmice, and swallows. The river basin and its surrounding stones are a great place to learn about nature and are home to various bugs such as beetles, river mayflies, big scarlet hairstreak butterflies, and other water insects.

The Amsa Ecological Park is located nearby Godeok River Side Ecological Park and the Bicycle Theme Park, making this particular area one of the most popular tourist attractions along the Han River.

Yeongyang Center (영양센타)

Yeongyang Center (영양센타)

12.8 Km    36     2021-03-29

52, Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-2015

This is a restaurant in Myeong-dong where you can eat old-fashioned whole chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is fried chicken.

Olens - Konkuk Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오렌즈 건대)

12.8 Km    0     2024-04-18

224, Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

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Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

12.8 Km    73804     2024-03-11

24, Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

12.8 Km    108531     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.