Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

11.5Km 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.

Seonbawi Memil Jangteo (선바위메밀장터)

11.5Km 2023-10-24

5-7, Dwitgol-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do

This restaurant serves a delicious and springy bowl of buckwheat noodles prepared in-house. The signature menu here is buckwheat noodles with perilla oil. The best way to enjoy that is to eat all the noodles, then mop up the sauce with half a rice bowl of radish water kimchi. If you like fish, buckwheat noodles with raw pollack is the way to go, while buckwheat noodles with radish water kimchi are a great way to get the refreshing taste of water kimchi. Get some boiled pork slices and sliced raw pollack as a side dish to round out your meal. The restaurant fills up by 11:00 or so, and waiting is mandatory, so visiting early is recommended.

Dohajeong (도하정)

11.6Km 2021-04-01

38, Mapo-daero, 4-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-10-9440-6639

A restaurant frequently introduced in Korean gourmet programs. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is beef bone soup.

Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) (서울시립 북서울미술관)

11.6Km 2024-03-18

1238, Dongil-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) coexists with its local community. Located in Nowon-gu, an area name that is derived from the “Reed Hill” nearby, the museum is an open structure with its entrance connected to a park. In addition to outdoor sculpture exhibitions, it offers maze-like galleries, an art library, a cafe, and a multipurpose hall. These spaces host a variety of programs for families, which make up the majority of visitors to this museum.

Changuimun Gate - Jahamun Gate (창의문(자하문))

11.6Km 2020-04-02

118, Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Changuimun Gate was often called Jahamun Gate. It was one of four mini-gates in the north surrounding the walled city of Hanyang (Seoul) during the Joseon dynasty. After the closure of Sukjeongmun Gate, one of the four main gates, Changuimun Gate became a favorite north gate. Hence, people also called Changuimun the North Gate. It is the only gate among four mini gates that is still in its original state. Although it is small, almost 50m² in terms of size, it looks very firm and sturdy. While Dongsomun Gate, another of the four mini gates, is decorated with a phoenix, Changuimun Gate is adorned with a wooden chicken along its rafters. The reason behind the wooden chicken was that the chicken was believed to be the nemesis of the centipede. People believed that installing the wooden chicken was important to overcome the harmful spirit of the centipede.

E-Mart - Hanam Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이마트 하남)

11.6Km 2024-04-22

70, Deokpungseo-ro, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do

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Bugaksan Mountain (북악산)

11.6Km 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)

11.6Km 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.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

11.6Km 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.

Club Espresso (클럽에스프레소)

11.6Km 2024-02-20

132 Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Club Espresso is a café that opened in 1990, constructed with red bricks. They roast their own coffee beans, offering a diverse coffee menu. The Moon Blend, a blend of Colombian, Brazilian, Ethiopian, and Guatemalan beans, is a favorite among regulars and is made with the coffee bean ratio favored by former President Moon Jae-in. Nearby attractions include the Yun Dongju Hill (Cheongun Park) and the Yun Dong-ju Literary Museum, dedicated to the poet beloved by Koreans.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문) - Area information - Korea travel information