Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

5.6Km 2025-01-17

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Suitsupply - Gyeongnidangil Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (수트서플라이 경리단길점)

5.6Km 2024-04-18

89, Hoenamu-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

5.6Km 2021-09-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kan in the front and 2 kan (traditional unit of measurement of the space between pillars) to the sides. It originally belonged to the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, but came to be considered a part of Changdeokgung Palace in more recent years.

The hall was constructed in 1846 (12th year of King Heonjong’s reign) and it is collectively called Nakseonjae together with the adjacent Seokbokheon Hall and Sugangjae Hall.

Behind the building is a flower garden made of stacked large stones. The chimney, the flowers, and the oddly shaped stones harmoniously blend into one another to create an outstanding landscape gardening.

Olive Young - Jangseungbaegi Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 장승배기역)

5.6Km 2024-04-22

#106, 11, Jangseungbaegi-ro 11ga-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

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North Beach (노스비치)

5.7Km 2020-04-25

171, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-793-6098

Opened in 1987 in Itaewon, North Beach has been a successful leather goods brand, even launching branches in department stores. Appearing frequently in magazines and on TV programs, it is a leather shop that is extremely popular among international residents and tourists. It stands out even in Itaewon, an area known for excellent leather products. The store's main items include leather and fur goods for women.

GOO STK733 (GOO STK 733)

5.7Km 2021-03-26

101, Itaewon-ro 27-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-7339

It is the first steak house in Korea. This restaurant's signature menu is steak. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Mokdong Stadium (목동운동장(목동아이스링크,사격장)

5.7Km 2022-09-14

939, Anyangcheon-ro, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2240-8800

Mokdong Stadium was opened in 1989 with a stadium, a baseball field and an indoor ice rink and added footsal field in 2008 to improve Korea’s sports culture. The soccer field was used as the home field for K-league teams in the past. The ice rink hosts hockey matches and figure skating competitions as well as ice ballet performances. Other facilities include a main square, an indoor shooting range and a gym for residents to enjoy.

Hyosajeong Pavilion (효사정)

5.7Km 2025-01-13

55, Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-820-9848

Hyosajeong Pavilion is where Nohan, the second vice premier of the Joseon dynasty during King Sejong and King Sejo’s reign, stayed. After he lost his mother, he built the pavilion to mourn at her grave while still being able to see his father’s grave in Gaeseong to the North. His brother-in-law, then Minister of the Interior, Gang Sa-deok named the pavilion “Hyosajeong,” which means pavilion of filial piety.

In order to find the original location of the pavilion, poems by Jeong Inji and Seo Geojeong and an old map of Korea were referenced, but the pavilion was not found because the surrounding landscape had changed too much. As a result, a location was selected and the pavilion was reconstructed at its current location. The house is 3 kan* in the front and 2 kan* on the side. The roof is a hip-and-gable roof. The pavilion has one room with under floor heating and a railing around the pavilion

(* kan: a traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)

National Theater of Korea (국립극장)

5.7Km 2024-03-06

59, Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2280-4114

The National Theater of Korea opened in 1950 as the first national theater in Asia. It is the only production theater that takes traditional arts to recreate them as contemporary art. It offers various types of theaters, such as Haeoreum Grand Theater, Daloreum Theater (middle-size), Immersive Studio ByeolByeol (small-size), and Haneul Round Theater with a circular stage structure. In addition, the Museum of Performing Arts, Cultural Plaza, and other convenience stores and coffe shops offer pleasure and relax to its visitors.

La Cucina (라 쿠치나)

5.7Km 2019-08-01

10, Hoenamu-ro 44ga-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-6005

La Cucina, located across from the main gate of the Grand Hyatt Seoul, is an Italian restaurant that opened in 1990. The kitchen of the restaurant is divided into five different sections each offering its own carefully selected cuisine. The main menu includes lobster spaghetti, Mediterranean seafood spaghetti and grilled lamb.

The restaurant offers over 700 bottles of wine from its cellar located in the basement of the restaurant. An in-house sommelier will assist you in choosing the best wine. At night, you may enjoy a fantastic view of the Namsan Seoul Tower while dining out on the terrace.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information