Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) - Area information - Korea travel information

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

1.8Km    2024-10-31

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

1.8Km    2025-01-09

41-11, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-7525

Located near Deoksugung Palace, Jungmyeongjeon Hall is a red-brick modern Western-style building. It was built in 1899 as the imperial library of the Korean Empire. After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire in 1904, the place became the temporary residence of Emperor Gojong. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty), an illegal treaty forced by Japan, was signed in 1905. Its exhibition hall serves as a place for historical education.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

1.8Km    2025-01-10

24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Sosohan Punggyeong (소소한 풍경)

Sosohan Punggyeong (소소한 풍경)

1.8Km    2024-02-20

75 Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sosohan Punggyeong is the first restaurant that received the restaurant guide, Blue Ribbon Survey, in Korea. It is located in a renovated house with a courtyard. They offer a course menu featuring appetizers to desserts. One of the signature dishes is the gaji jjim (spicy eggplant soup), a dish made with eggplant and meat. It is recommended to make reservations in advance, as many guests prefer to book ahead.

Seoul Plaza (서울광장)

1.8Km    2024-06-19

110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-5640

Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall is a historic site where the March 1, 1919 (Samil) Independence Movement and the pro-democracy movement in June 1987 were held. It is also a well-known place where tens of thousands of Korean soccer fans gathered together to watch the 2002 World Cup Games. Being located within the center of the city and surrounded by many historic attractions, including Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza has become a representative attraction of Seoul.

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

1.8Km    2021-09-15

29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-2038

Gyeonggyojang House, a designated Historic Site, was the location of the provisional government and the place where Baekbeom Kim Koo passed away. Seoul reproduced the historical site, Gyeonggyojang House, to use the area as an educational site. Also, the house exhibits the history of the provisional government in order to see the history more clearly.

Restoration work included the demolition of the interior that was changed when the building was turned into a hospital facility and embassy after Kim Koo passed away in 1949. During the work, the remaining parts were maintained with the utmost care. Reconstructed parts were based on the building's floor plan written in Chosun and Architecture (8th edition in 1938). Visitors can see various contents related to the Korean Provisional Government history through relics, video, and information searching corners.

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink (서울광장 스케이트장)

Seoul Plaza Ice Skating Rink (서울광장 스케이트장)

1.8Km    2020-04-02

110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2133-2691

Seoul Plaza was established in 2004, and is located by Seoul City Hall. The plaza is shaped like the full moon. Seoul Plaza hosts a wide array of cultural events including concerts and exhibitions for residents and visitors. The plaza transforms into an outdoor skating rink every winter, a popular attraction in the city.

The facility houses one rink for beginners and one for advanced skaters, and also hosts various events during its operating hours. There are also convenient facilities like skate rental, outdoor rest area, and outdoor standing area for ice skaters and spectators.

Ice skaters at the rink must wear gloves, and the plaza also offers a training program to teach interested individuals how to have fun while skating safely. To learn how to skate, visit the website to register for a training session in advance.

SK Telecom T.um (SK텔레콤 미래기술체험관 T.um(티움))

SK Telecom T.um (SK텔레콤 미래기술체험관 T.um(티움))

1.8Km    2024-03-06

65, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6353-6665

SK Telecom T.um is an ICT museum. T.um stands for 'Technology, U-topia, Museum'. It boasts a wide array of experience technologies such as 5G autonomous vehicles, drones, flying cars, artificial intelligence, big data, virtual reality, augmented reality, robots, Internet of Things, and 3D printing. Visitors can also see the future city based on 5G. Reservations are required online.

Innisfree - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 대학로)

Innisfree - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 대학로)

1.8Km    2024-04-19

51, Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Buam-dong (부암동)

Buam-dong (부암동)

1.8Km    2024-03-15

Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1807

Buam-dong is a village located north of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is designated as a development-restricted zone due to its proximity to the Cheong Wa Dae, preserving the old neighborhood's appearance. There are numerous bakeries, cafés, restaurants, and small galleries housed in renovated traditional houses, making it a delightful place for a leisurely stroll. The nearby hiking trails connected to Bugaksan Mountain offer a tranquil journey through the forest, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat.