Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

9.5Km    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.

Yangju Olleung Royal Tomb [UNESCO World Heritage] (양주 온릉(단경왕후) [유네스코 세계문화유산])

9.5Km    2025-01-07

255-41, Hoguk-ro, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-855-5228

Olleung Royal Tomb is the royal tomb of Queen Dangyeong (1487-1557), consort of King Jungjong, the 11th ruler of the Joseon dynasty. Queen Dangyeong married King Jungjong when she was 13 years old. In 1506, when King Jungjong ascended to the throne, she became a queen as well, but she was deposed due to her father leading a coup against her husband's acendancy. Therefore, her grave was not regarded as a royal tomb until 1739.

Heojun Museum (허준박물관)

9.6Km    2021-08-13

87, Heojun-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3661-8686

The Heojun Museum opened in honor of the academic accomplishments and charitable deeds of the renowned medical scientist, Heojun of the Joseon dynasty. Located next to Heojun Neighborhood Park, the museum collects and displays Heojun related materials.

Roulette(룰렛)

9.6Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 서대문구 연희로5길 22 (연희동)

Seonungak (한옥카페 선운각)

9.6Km    2025-10-29

223 Samyang-ro 173-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

Seonungak is a hanok cafe facing Doseonsa Temple at the foot of Bukhansan Mountain, the perfect location to take in the beauty of the changing seasons. The cafe is also the largest hanok building outside of the royal palaces in Seoul. Previously limited to weddings and filming events, the hanok has reopened as a cafe, selling a range of traditional Korean drinks.

Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

9.6Km    2024-03-18

75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Jjimjjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that combines a traditional bathhouse with a hot steam room, is often ranked high among the unique experiences in Korea chosen by foreigners. Taking a steam bath in a charcoal kiln discharges waste products from the skin through sweat and eliminates accumulated fatigue. Supsok Hanbang Land has several charcoal kilns for different temperatures. Using them in order from low to high-temperature rooms is good, but the highest-temperature room, “Kkottang,” has a risk of causing skinburn, so visitors are advised to wear socks and cotton gloves to enter the room. Another unique experience is to grill sweet potatoes or rice cakes on the brazier in front of the charcoal kiln.

Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park (강서습지생태공원)

9.7Km    2021-06-22

279-23, Yangcheon-ro 27-gil, Gangseo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0621

The Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park is an eco-park located on the Hangang River between the southern side of Banghwadaegyo Bridge and southern side of Haengjudaegyo Bridge. Established in July 2007, the park is partly comprised of low wetlands, freshwater lakes, and various aquatic plants. Eco-trails wind around the park through reed areas, around willow trees, and past the migratory bird observation. At the park, visitors can watch and learn about a variety of migratory birds during summer and winter or join one of the park’s organized eco-education programs.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

9.7Km    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.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

9.7Km    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.

Ginkgo Tree at the Fortress Well Site (성주우물터 은행나무)

9.7Km    2025-09-15

Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul

Ginkgo Tree at the Fortress Well Site refers to the old ginkgo tree, which have been designated as a protected tree in 1988, located in Gayang-dong, Gangseo-gu in Seoul. Until the Gayang apartment complex was built, the area where the ginkgo tree is located was a historic place with a beautiful landscape and many anecdotes and legends. Before the Goryeo dynasty, its location served as an important strategic point along the lower part of the Hangang River, where it had a ferry dock with boats that bypassed Haengju and Paju as a shortcut for commuting between Kaeseong and Pyongyang, and is associated with many legends of historical figures who had used the dock. The ginkgo tree also appears in a painting drawn by Gyeomjae Jeongseon, a historic painter of the Joseon dynasty.