The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길)

13.5Km 2025-08-20

Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The street in front of Cheongwadae (the Blue House) is open to the public and includes both Hyoja Samgeori (Hyoja three-way intersection) in Hyoja-dong and Palpan Samgeori (Palpan three-way inetersection) in Palpan-dong. When walking along Hyoja-ro Road from Gyeongbokgung Station, sights include a fountain, Mugunghwa Garden, Yeonmugwan Hall, and Daegogak & Yeongbingwan Hall.

Cheongwadae Sarangchae consists of one basement level and two above-ground levels, including Korean Culture Exhibition Hall, Planned Exhibition Hall, a gift shop, and rest area (Korean Food Promotion Hall, Café) on the first floor and Cheongwadae Hall and Haengboknuri Hall on the second floor. Daegogak Hall houses a book donated to former president, Kim Young-sam for expressing the past spirit of Sinmungo (Petitioner's drum from Korean History). Yeonmugwan Hall is a martial art and fitness center for guards. Mugunghwa Dongsan, formed after the ansa (Safe House) was demolished in 1993, includes a well, mock fortress, and rest area. Located behind Mugunghwa Dongsan is Apostolic Nunciature in Korea and Chilgung (Seven Palaces).

At the beginning of the street in front of Cheongwadae, dense trees and beautiful flower gardens decorating both sides of the road make it a nice place for taking a walk. The area from the north gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Chunchumun, to the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Geonchunmun, is Samcheongdong-gil Road. This road is home to many art galleries, including Kukje Gallery, Growrich Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Jin Art gallery, in the area of Hyoja-ro.

Haha & Kim Jongkook's 401 Restaurant (하하&김종국의 401정육식당)

13.5Km 2025-10-30

23 Jandari-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

'Running Man' members Haha & Kim Jongkook
It is a meat restaurant run by Haha and Kim Jongkook, members of the entertainment program 'Running Man'. With the concept of a Grilled Pork Belly restaurant, you can taste Grilled Pork Small Intestines, Grilled Pork Tripe, and Grilled Pork Rinds. It is characterized by the fact that the staff grills the meat for customers, and the combination of well-grilled Pork belly, Salted Anchovy Sauce, Green Onion Salad, and White radish cabbage is popular.

Goobne Playtown (굽네 플레이타운)

13.5Km 2025-01-16

23 Jandari-ro 2-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Goobne Playtown is a culture and experience center operated by Goobne, one of Korea's chicken franchises that specializes in oven-roasted chicken instead of the standard fried chicken. Visitors can taste the latest products in a relaxing space, as well as enjoy media art and changing items in the pop-up zone.

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

13.5Km 2025-08-20

1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
박주원 학예연구사 02-3771-8636

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display brightens the night through a media facade display on Yeongbingwan Hall. The display shows the history of Cheong Wa Dae through the theme "Twelve Lights".

Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

13.5Km 2024-03-18

75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Jjimjjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that combines a traditional bathhouse with a hot steam room, is often ranked high among the unique experiences in Korea chosen by foreigners. Taking a steam bath in a charcoal kiln discharges waste products from the skin through sweat and eliminates accumulated fatigue. Supsok Hanbang Land has several charcoal kilns for different temperatures. Using them in order from low to high-temperature rooms is good, but the highest-temperature room, “Kkottang,” has a risk of causing skinburn, so visitors are advised to wear socks and cotton gloves to enter the room. Another unique experience is to grill sweet potatoes or rice cakes on the brazier in front of the charcoal kiln.

LEESEL Hanbok (리슬한복)

13.5Km 2025-11-05

136-11, Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hanbok, the beauty of Korea
It is a Hanbok brand that produced BTS Jimin's stage costumes and CHUNG HA's Hanbok worn in the 2022 season's greeting pictorial. The ‘Sochangui Maxi Coat’ worn by SHINee's TAEMIN received an explosive response and became more known. LEESEL x SPAO's collaboration pajamas gained great popularity not only among celebrities but also among the general public. In 2022, Hanbok debuted at Milan Fashion Week for the first time. The head office is located in Jeonju.

Owl Museum (부엉이박물관)

13.5Km 2022-09-19

143, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Owl Museum is filled with over 2,000 pieces of owl-themed arts and crafts collected from all over the world by the owner. Renovated from a house, the museum has a feel of an antique café as the owner offers a cup of coffee or tea to visitors. Located near the city, those interested in owls should stop for a view and a drink. Various stories of how the collection was gathered as well as information on owls are also interesting.

M Playground - Hongdae Branch (엠플레이그라운드 홍대본점)

13.6Km 2024-09-05

94 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

M Playground is a casual boutique brand known for its signature exterior design of blue shipping containers. The shop does its best to present the latest fashion trends and the hip, street vibe found exclusively in Hongdae. Most visitors range in age between teens and young adults in their 30s, looking for trending clothing, accessories, and other products.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

13.6Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

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.

Hongdae (Hongik University Street) (홍대)

13.6Km 2025-04-14

20 Hongik-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Hongdae is a neighborhood known for its youthful ambience, with shops selling everything from clothing and cosmetics to living goods and books, as well as unique cafés and restaurants. The streets are also filled with buskers and dance performances, making a walk here quite entertaining. Special streets such as ateliers’ street (lined with private institutions for art students preparing for university entrance exams), Picasso’s Street, and Club Street are also must-go places for anyone hoping to fully experience the Hongdae area.

The Street in front of Cheongwadae (The Blue House) (청와대 앞길) - Area information - Korea travel information