Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

2.2Km 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.

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을)

2.2Km 2025-06-19

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture. As Bukchon Hanok Village is an actual neighborhood with people's homes, visitors are advised to be respectful at all times while looking around.

Seoul Hyochang Park (서울 효창공원)

2.2Km 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.

Theatre Changdeokgung (창덕궁 소극장)

2.2Km 2021-12-07

88-1, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-7278

Theatre Changdeokgung is located across from Changdeokgung Palace in the Gugak-ro Special Cultural Zone of Seoul. To recreate the traditional Korean entertainment setting and offer a better view of the stage, the theater is designed with floor seatings facing a platform stage. The theater offers a wide array of performances including samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet), traditional Korean music, and madanggeuk (a play infused with traditional music and performances). First time visitors often find the creative and cozy experience create a lasting memory of Korean culture and arts. Also nearby the theater are a number of tourist attractions including Changdeokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong.

Public Hanok Night Out (공공한옥 밤마실)

2.2Km 2025-06-10

37 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-1033

Public Hanok Night Out is a special evening event that allows limited access to the nine public hanok buildings, including the Bukchon Culture Center, after sundown. The event is carefully prepared to make the hanok buildings accessible as much as possible. In addition, the event also offers a variety of programs to entertain the visitors. The event aims to raise awareness about embracing differences and diverse values during this time of ever-changing global society, as well as expand the the cultural values of hanok as something more unique.

Baek In-je House (백인제가옥)

2.2Km 2025-10-24

16 Bukchon-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0200

Baek In-je House, located in Bukchon Hanok Village, is a hanok built during the Japanese administration period that portrays modern hanok features. The structure consists of a main room offering a good view of the whole village, spacious bedrooms, a large garden, and annex buildings. As it maintains the beauty of a traditional hanok while incorporating the modern trend of its time, Baek In-je House is considered to be highly valuable in means of both architecture and history, representing the Bukchon Hanok Village together with Yun Bo-seon House.

Baek In-je House was built from black pine, which was first introduced in Seoul during the Gyeongseong Expo in 1907, distinguishing itself from other upper-class houses of its time. Unlike other traditional hanok designs that separate the main building from the other rooms, Baek In-je House connects the two with a hallway, allowing convenient access between the two structures. The house also consists of a Japanese-style hallway and floor mat rooms, reflecting the interior trends of that period. Baek In-je House is also unique in that the main room is partially built as a two-story structure, a style that was never seen in any traditional hanok built during the Joseon period.

Golden Tour Korea DMC (골든투어코리아 디엠씨)

2.2Km 2025-10-23

(#1227), 173 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Since its establishment in 2013, Golden Tour Korea DMC has been offering high-quality, customized travel services worldwide, focusing on premium travel experiences and diverse Korean tour products. In addition, the company actively organizes incentive tours, corporate meetings, government forums, business trips, family vacations, educational programs, and foreign patient attraction activities in Europe. Golden Tour Korea DMC designs tour products tailored to meet customers’ needs, with expert tour operators providing consulting to enhance customer satisfaction. The company maintains strong collaborations with numerous international partners. With extensive experience and expertise in the travel industry, Golden Tour Korea DMC will do its best to create beautiful memories and make the next chapter of your life unforgettable.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

2.2Km 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.

Soul (소울)

2.2Km 2025-08-20

B1, 35 Sinheung-ro 26-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Soul is a fine-dining located in Hannam-dong. It presents reinterpretations of Korean cuisine, drawing inspiration from traditional dishes. The menu is structured into lunch and dinner courses. Known for its ability to artistically express familiar flavors encountered in daily life, Soul was selected for the 2023 Michelin Guide Seoul. Operating on a reservation-only basis, bookings can be made via phone.

KGC - Chungmu-ro Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (KGC 충무로점)

2.2Km 2024-04-16

235, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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