Seoul Namsan Gugakdang (서울 남산국악당) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seoul Namsan Gugakdang (서울 남산국악당)

Seoul Namsan Gugakdang (서울 남산국악당)

9.4 Km    22728     2021-08-02

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2261-0500

Seoul Namsan Gukakdang was established by Seoul Metropolitan Government as a representative traditional art-centered performance hall in 2007. It is comprised of one ground and two basement levels. The performance hall is located on the basement floor with 300 seats, equipped with facilities that deliver pansori sounds and gayageum music to every seat. Visitors can make a reservation at the Namsangol Hanok Village website.

Olive Young - Sadang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 사당)

Olive Young - Sadang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 사당)

9.4 Km    0     2024-04-22

29, Dongjak-daero, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Chungmuro Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 충무로역)

Olive Young - Chungmuro Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 충무로역)

9.4 Km    0     2024-04-18

222, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

9.4 Km    531470     2023-02-17

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2261-0500

Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the northern side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for locals and tourists to take a leisure walk. Upon entering from the front gate, visitors will get a taste of Korea's traditional life while escaping from bustling city life. The traditional garden with its pavilion and old houses creates a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain. A time capsule commemorating Seoul’s 600th anniversary was buried in 1994 at the highest point of the village and is scheduled to be reopened 400 years later in 2394.

The five hanok premises at Namsangol Hanok Village once belonged to aristocrats and government officials of the Joseon dynasty. Each house was originally located in a different neighborhood, but they were all moved to this area and restored to their original form. The houses were rebuilt using their original materials, except for one house, where the materials were too old and deteriorated to be reused. The premises were carefully restored and replicated according to their original form to depict the owners’ social class and personality. These buildings are now used as an exhibit to portray the living environment during the Joseon dynasty and as a venue for educational and cultural programs for children and tourists.

Some of the unique programs and activities to participate in include wearing hanbok, folding hanji (traditional Korean paper), writing in Korean, traditional tea ceremony, traditional etiquette school, and herbal medicine experience. There are also taekwondo demonstrations and other various performances held around the village. Visitors can also try traditional games such as yunnori (traditional board game), or understand more about the area through a guided tour.

Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

9.4 Km    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.

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목)

9.4 Km    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)

Jinokhwa Halmae Wonjo Dakhanmari (진옥화할매원조닭한마리)

9.4 Km    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).

Traditional Performance at The Korea House (한국의집 전통예술공연 KOREA 심청)

9.4 Km    47432     2024-08-16

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-2266-9101~3

The Korea House has been a venue for traditional performing arts for more than 20 years, presenting various musical performances, court dances, and folk dances such as Pungmulnori (farmers’ percussion performance), Talchum (mask dance), Pansori (a traditional narrative vocal performance), and Sinawi (an ensemble of eight traditional musical instruments).

At Korea House, visitors can discover the diverseness and richness of Korean music and art performance. Popular and nationally recognized intangible cultural asset holders such as An Sook Seon, Park Byeong Cheon, and Lee Chun Hui perform on the stage under director Jeong Jae Man.

Namsan Octagonal Pavilion (남산 팔각정)

Namsan Octagonal Pavilion (남산 팔각정)

9.4 Km    25106     2021-06-19

105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3783-5900

Originally known as Unamjeong Pavilion, the pavilion was built in 1959 to commemorate Rhee Syngman. It was demolished by the 4.19 movement in 1960 and was rebuilt on November 11, 1968. This pavilion now sits atop Namsan Mountain, with views covering the entirety of Seoul below. As it is a prime spot to view the first sunrise of the year, the annual sunrise festival takes place every New Year's Day.

Korea House (한국의집)

Korea House (한국의집)

9.4 Km    84850     2019-03-19

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Korea House was opened in 1981. It is a traditional Korean building that introduces the culture and lifestyle of Koreans, where you can experience traditional architecture and a classical atmosphere. The building was built in the style of the Joseon Dynasty's Jagyeong-jeon building at the Gyeongbok Palace. It is the only building built in the traditional architectural style. You will feel its antiquity as you enter the building.

It is divided into the Haerin-gwan (a space for people to get acquainted with each other), the Traditional Theater, and three annex buildings (Munhyang-ru, Nokeum-jeong and Cheongwu-jeong). At Haerin-gwan, you can enjoy traditional music at Garak-dang and try traditional food at Sohwa-dang. In the square of Garak-dang you can view a traditional wedding (on the weekends) or people playing folk games. Also, at the Traditional Theater, about 156 seats are available, and in the afternoons Human Cultural Assets or members of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the National Corps members present traditional music and dances. Sinayui, Salpuri, Pansori, the Drum Dance and the Bongsan Mask Dance are the most popular programs for foreigners. The programs are all explained in English and Japanese.

In the Cultural Gift Shop you can view various crafts made by traditional craftsmen. It is always open and the crafts are for sale as well. There are pottery, ceramics, golden crafts, knots and embroidery etc; approximately 500 pieces of artwork made by craftsmen from 20 different fields. Next to the House of Korea is the Namsan-gol Hanok Village where visitors can explore traditional houses.