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

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

2.6Km    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.

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (홍제폭포)

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (홍제폭포)

2.6Km    2024-11-07

Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall is located along Hongjecheon Stream in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The waterfall was built in 2011 and is 25 meters tall and 60 meters wide. Despite being a man-made waterfall, the design and construction were so well-done that many find it hard to believe it wasn't a naturally formed waterfall. The area around the waterfall features various places for citizens and visitors to relax, while there are many cafes and cultural spaces in the area to make a visit more enjoyable.

Seoul Hyochang Park (서울 효창공원)

2.7Km    2024-07-09

177-18 Hyochangwon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2199-7608

Hyochang Park covers 122,245 square meters spanning across Hyochang-dong and Cheongpa 2-dong. It is a historic landmark that once contained several royal tombs, and was known at that time as Hyochangwon. The cemeteries that were originally located in Hyochangwon belonged to Crown Prince Munhyo, King Jeongjo’s first son who died at the age of five; Royal Noble Consort Uibin of the Seong Clan, King Jeongjo’s royal concubine and Crown Prince Munhyo’s mother; Royal Noble Consort Sugui of the Park Clan, King Sunjo’s royal concubine; and her daughter Princess Yeongon. The royal tombs were moved to Seooreung Tombs in the waning months of the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese empire began the development of Hyochangwon into a park in 1924, and the Japanese governor-general officially assigned the site as a park in 1940.

Presently, several of Korea’s greatest leaders are buried in Hyochang Park. The remains mostly belong to independence activists including Yoon Bong-gil, Lee Bong-chang, and Baek Jeong-gi, whose graves are collectively known as Samuisa Tomb. A statue of Lee Bong-chang has been built in the graveyard. Among the other patriotic martyrs who are interred in the park are Kim Gu and some of the key figures of the provisional government such as Lee Dong-nyeong, Cha I-seok, and Cho Seong-hwan. An ancestral shrine named Uiyeolsa has been built along the main gate and holds the portraits of the deceased independence activists.

Mangwon-dong suchanggol (망원동수창골)

Mangwon-dong suchanggol (망원동수창골)

2.7Km    2021-03-30

3, Mangwon-ro 11-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-322-3230

It is a place where you can choose the dishes spicy flavor. The best menu at this restaurant is beef small intestine hot pot/pork small intestine hot pot. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

2.7Km    2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

Sookmyung Women's University Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum (숙명여자대학교 정영양자수박물관 (서울))

Sookmyung Women's University Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum (숙명여자대학교 정영양자수박물관 (서울))

2.7Km    2019-11-15

100, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-710-9134

Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum was founded in May 2004 to enhance public awareness and appreciation of embroidery art with ample facilities including exhibition hall, library, conservation center, learning center, embroidery study room, education and research rooms. The museum emphasizes on the variety of textiles and embroidery and also features collections from various Northeast Asian countries. The Chung Young Yang Embroidery Museum stresses the importance of embroidery as an evolving form of art through changes in technology, social and cultural environment. In addition, the learning center also aims to become a learning center for scholarship in embroidery and other textile arts that can be appreciated by a wide audience.

Dongnimmun Yeongcheon Market (독립문영천시장)

2.7Km    2023-01-17

189-1, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Yeongcheon Market, which was formed in the 1960s near Dongnimmun Gate in Seodaemun-gu, is a marketplace with over 50 years of history and tradition, once famous as one of the largest rice cake wholesale markets in Seoul. It is set up near a residential district, which makes it one of the city's most notable street-style traditional markets that nearby residents frequently visit. The city of Seoul selected the area surrounding 38 Yeongcheonsijang-gil, Seodaemun-gu as the "Future Heritage of July" in 2021.

It is a large-scale traditional market that currently features around 198 stores, and it is well-known for its various foods and snacks such as tteokbokki and twisted donuts sold at about 40% of all shops.

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

2.7Km    2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Mangwon Market (망원시장)

2.7Km    2025-07-11

27 Poeun-ro 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Mangwon Market is one of the representative traditional markets of Seoul. Its proximity to both Mangnidan Street and Hangang Park makes it a great place to do some shopping in preparation for a riverside picnic. The market isn’t very large, but it is packed with delicious treats.  One can find classics like the deep-fried and braised chicken, braised pigs' feet, crispy deep-fried green chili pepper, and other snack fare there, along with stores offering food and lifestyle items for some browsing.

Sajo Tuna (사조참치)

Sajo Tuna (사조참치)

2.7Km    2020-04-16

107-39, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-364-9838

Sajo Tuna is the perfect restaurant for tuna lovers. It serves fresh tuna served in varied styles to visitors. Chamdarangeo (bluefin tuna) Special Menu consists of the highest-grade tuna cuts along with unique decorations. Also, the standard menu includes gamasal gui (grilled tuna kama), braised tuna head, grilled tuna, and pan-fried tuna. In-house alcoholic drinks such as baengnyeoncho ju (perilla seed and prickly pear liquor) and insam sansuyu ju (ginseng and cornelian cherry liquor) are offered, making this restaurant more outstanding.