Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

12.2Km    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.

Seoul Hiking Tourism Center - Bukhansan Branch (서울도심등산관광센터(북한산))

12.2Km    2024-03-05

5F, 181-7 Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-1533-2608

The Seoul Hiking Tourism Center is located 5 minutes on foot from Exit 2 of Bukhansan Ui Station and provides various services to hikers. It provides hiking course guidance and information (available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese) about the mountains of Seoul, including Bukhansan, Bugaksan, and Inwangsan Mountains, as well as promotional materials such as Seoul hiking tourism guidebooks and maps. Also, it operates hiking tour programs with various themes every week for foreigners and offers hiking gear rental services such as hiking boots, hiking attire, trekking poles, gloves, and crampons for foreigners. (Koreans accompanied by foreigners can also rent the gear.) In addition, there is a storage locker and lounge for visitors, so they can pack up and rest before hiking.

Bukjeong Village (북정마을)

12.2Km    2024-02-15

132-3 Seongbuk-ro 23-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Bukjeong Village, situated along the slopes of Seongbuk-dong, offers a glimpse into Korea's old alleyways. The village expanded as refugees from the Korean War (1950–1953) and people from various regions settled, building houses under the collapsed walls of Hanyang doseong (Seoul City Wall). Presently, the village is home to young artists, and the broad street in front of the village bus stop hosts various community events.

The Restaurant (더레스토랑)

The Restaurant (더레스토랑)

12.2Km    2021-03-27

54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8441

It is a gallery-like restaurant where you can appreciate paintings drawn by famous artists. The best menu at this restaurant is spaghetti. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine (절두산순교성지)

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine (절두산순교성지)

12.2Km    2024-03-12

6 Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3142-4434

Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is the site where many Catholic believers were executed in 1866 due to persecution. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom, the Korean Catholic Church opened the Memorial Hall in October 1967, exhibiting materials, relics, and souvenirs related to the Korean Catholic Church and operating a museum. Pope Johannes Paulus II visited the site in 1984, and Mother Teresa visited in 1985.

Seonyudo Park (선유도공원)

Seonyudo Park (선유도공원)

12.2Km    2024-10-25

343 Seonyu-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Seonyudo Park is Korea's first water-themed ecological park. The park was renewed from an old water treatment plant. Visitors can observe a water purification system, an aquatic plant garden, and an ecological forest, as well as exhibitions and other interesting facilities. The park also hosts diverse hands-on programs and exhibitions. 

Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)

Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)

12.2Km    2021-07-29

54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8449

The Kukje Galley has been committed to presenting the work of significant Korean and international contemporary artists to the public since 1982. The gallery has established itself as a leading venue for international exhibits such as Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, Robert Mangold, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Edward Ruscha, Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, and Bill Viola, attracting enthusiastic responses from both the public and the media.

The gallery has placed emphasis on collaborations between artists, galleries, and art dealers around the world and nurturing upcoming artists by sponsoring their artwork and giving them international exposure.

Korean Martyrs' Museum (한국천주교순교자박물관)

Korean Martyrs' Museum (한국천주교순교자박물관)

12.2Km    2023-01-03

6, Tojeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3142-4434

Korean Martyrs’ Museum was opened in October of 1967 as Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine, in memory of the Catholic martyrs who lost their lives during the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. The name of the museum changed to the current Korean Martyrs' Museum in August 2008. The museum displays artifacts and materials in exhibitions related to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.

Paju Bogwangsa Temple (보광사(파주))

Paju Bogwangsa Temple (보광사(파주))

12.2Km    2021-09-10

87, Bogwang-ro 474beon-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-948-7700

Bogwangsa Temple is a traditional temple located on the foothills of Goryeongsan Mountain in Paju. It was built by Great Monk Doseonguksa during the Silla Kindom period under the order of Queen Jinseong in AD 894. At the time, it was considered a hidden national treasure and one of the six grand temples located on the northern side of the Hangang River. In was once ruined during the Imjin War, and reconstructed in 1622 by Monk Seolmi and Monk Deogin. In 1667, Monk Jigan and Monk Seok Ryeon reconstructed Daeungbojeon Hall and Gwaneumjeon Hall.

Waryong Park (와룡공원)

Waryong Park (와룡공원)

12.2Km    2020-07-08

192, Waryonggongwon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-2845

Situated in Myeongryun-dong in Seoul and established in 1984, Waryong Park is located near Malbawi, one of the best overlooks from which to see the city of Seoul. The park is close to natural attractions such as Samcheong Park, Changgyeong Park, and Bugaksan Mountain.

Although it was difficult to grow trees in the park because of the shallowness of the soil, many citizens participated in the nationwide campaign to plant over 10 million trees across the country, transforming places like Waryong into lush areas filled with flowering plants.

In the park, spring blooms forth in a colorful assortment of cherry trees, plum blossoms, azaleas, and forsythias, making it a popular destination for family visitors. There are also a variety of excellent amenities: badminton courts, aerobic fields, fitness facilities, and pavilions, wonderful for exercise, leisurely walks, or simply taking a break.

A famous hiking trail, running between the Seoul Fortress Wall and Samcheong Park, passes right through the park. Flanked by cherry blossoms, the trail attracts nature lovers throughout the year and especially in spring, when the trees are in full bloom. The trail also passes by the Fortress Wall in Bugaksan Mountain.