Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

1.8Km    2023-08-11

5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul's Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

Seoul Sajik Park (사직공원(서울))

Seoul Sajik Park (사직공원(서울))

1.8Km    2021-11-12

89, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4149

Sajik Park is one of the three most popular parks in Jongno-gu along with Tapgol Park and Samcheong Park. Located west of the Government Complex-Seoul on the southeastern foothills of Inwangsan Mountain, the park measures an impressive 188,710 m².

The name of the park dates back to 1395 when Taejo Yi Sung-gye made Sajik Altar (altar to the State deities) at the center of the park. "Sa" refers to the deity of the earth while "jik" refers to the deity of the five grains. Rites wishing for a good harvest were held regularly at Sajik Altar.

In the park are several playgrounds, statues of Sin Saimdang, Hwanghakjeong, and Yulkog Yi I, and the Municipal Children's Library. Dangun Shrine and Jongno Library are situated nearby. By following the path next to Sajik Park for approximately 5 minutes, travelers can reach the Inwangsan hiking path with relative ease.

Seoul National University Hospital (서울대학교병원)

1.8Km    2025-10-23

101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul National University Hospital, a national central hospital that has led Korean medicine for over 130 years, is a top-tier hospital equipped with world-class medical professionals and cutting-edge systems. For 25 consecutive years, it has ranked first in brand power in the hospital sector. The hospital is renowned for its cancer research, the most comprehensive pediatric care in the country, and treatments for rare and intractable diseases. Through patient-centered, personalized services, it has established itself as a trusted healthcare institution.

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

ARKO Art Center (아르코미술관)

1.8Km    2025-06-05

3, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4850

ARKO Art Center was founded in 1974 as Misulhoegwan in a building of former Deoksu Hospital in Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu to offer much-needed exhibition space for artists and arts groups. In 1979, Misulhoegwan moved to its present building, designed by preeminent Korean architect Kim Swoo-geun (1931-1986) and located in Marronnier Park, the former site of Seoul National University. The two neighboring brick buildings accommodating ARKO Art Center and ARKO Arts Theater are the major landmarks of the district of Daehakro.
As more public and private museums and commercial galleries came into the art scene in the 1990s, Misulhoegwan shifted to curating and presenting its own exhibitions. Renamed as Marronnier Art Center in 2002, ARKO Art Center assumed a full-fledged art museum system and played an increasingly prominent role as a public arts organization leading the contemporary art paradigm. When The Korea Culture and Arts Foundation was reborn as Arts Council Korea, Marronnier Art Center became ARKO Art Center named after the abbreviation for Arts Council Korea in 2005.
ARKO Art Center is committed to working as a platform where research, production, exhibitions and the exchange of creative activities grow and develop in connection with one another in addition to having a diversity of programs including thematic exhibitions addressing social agenda and public programs widely promoting various discourses in art.


Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum (안중근의사기념관)

Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum (안중근의사기념관)

1.8Km    2024-03-06

91, Sowol-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
82-2-3789-1016

The Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum honors the memory of Ahn Junggeun (1879-1910), an independence activist and soldier who advocated for Korean independence and peace in Asia. He fought against the Japanese to defend the Korean Empire (1897-1910). He was executed in 1910 for assassinating Hirobumi Ito, the Japanese who led the invasion of Korea in 1909, in Harbin, China.

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex·Dongdaemun Shopping Town (동대문 종합시장·동대문 쇼핑타운)

1.9Km    2025-06-30

266 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2262-0114

Dongdaemun Shopping Complex is one of Korea’s most well-known markets. It was founded in December 1970 as the largest of its kind in Asia and has maintained that status for the last 40 years. Browsing the plethora of shops, you can find fabric and clothing following all the latest global fashion trends. Dongdaemun Shopping Complex continues to build up its reputation as a hub of international design.

Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street (청계천헌책방거리)

Cheonggyecheon Old Books Street (청계천헌책방거리)

1.9Km    2023-12-22

20 Jangchungdan-ro 13-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Walking east along Cheonggyecheon Stream, which flows near Sewoon Plaza, you will see a cluster of small bookstores. Books published 30 to 50 years ago, and various out-of-date magazines are piled up in about ten bookstores. You can indirectly experience the old culture and history that formed the basis of K-content, and sometimes you can also find foreign books. Nearby is Dongdaemun Market, a wholesale market selling various subsidiary materials, and Pyounghwa Market (open from night to early morning), where you can browse clothing fabrics, which are excellent places to visit together.

Marronnier Park (마로니에공원)

Marronnier Park (마로니에공원)

1.9Km    2021-07-14

104, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4158

Marronnier Park was given its name due to the marronnier trees, or horse chestnut trees, growing within the area. The location where Seoul National University's College of Liberal Arts & Science and School of Law once stood, it is now a park dedicated to culture and arts open to the public. In addition to a variety of outdoor performances that take place throughout the area, exhibitions and cultural centers create a romantic atmosphere unique to the park.

Nolboo Bossam & Budaejjigae Euljiro6ga(놀부보쌈&부대찌개 을지로6가)

Nolboo Bossam & Budaejjigae Euljiro6ga(놀부보쌈&부대찌개 을지로6가)

1.9Km    2024-10-15

2F, 34, Euljiro43-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2264-1669

This is a Korean cuisine located in Dongdaemun Gate, Seoul. One of Korea’s representative restaurant franchises. The best menu at this restaurant is napa wraps with pork.

Of one book and stay (일독일박)

Of one book and stay (일독일박)

1.9Km    2024-12-23

11-1 , Pirundae-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-504-0904-2340

Ildogilbak in Seochon Village, Seoul, is a private hanok stay that has been stylishly renovated with modern facilities. The bedroom, kitchen and dining room are located around the courtyard. Tired travellers can soak their feet in the small courtyard footbath while sitting on the veranda. There’s a queen size bed in the bedroom, and a large table in the dining room where you can read a book and chat. There is also an attic space where you can fall asleep looking at the stars through a small skylight. The kitchen is well equipped, and there’s a tub in the bathroom.