Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

9.0Km 2024-12-04

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.

Olens - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오렌즈 광화문)

9.0Km 2024-04-18

1F, 82, Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

9.1Km 2024-10-25

28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2261-0500

Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the northern side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for locals and tourists to take a leisure walk. Upon entering from the front gate, visitors will get a taste of Korea's traditional life while escaping from bustling city life. The traditional garden with its pavilion and old houses creates a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain. A time capsule commemorating Seoul’s 600th anniversary was buried in 1994 at the highest point of the village and is scheduled to be reopened 400 years later in 2394.

The five hanok premises at Namsangol Hanok Village once belonged to aristocrats and government officials of the Joseon dynasty. Each house was originally located in a different neighborhood, but they were all moved to this area and restored to their original form. The houses were rebuilt using their original materials, except for one house, where the materials were too old and deteriorated to be reused. The premises were carefully restored and replicated according to their original form to depict the owners’ social class and personality. These buildings are now used as an exhibit to portray the living environment during the Joseon dynasty and as a venue for educational and cultural programs for children and tourists.

Some of the unique programs and activities to participate in include wearing hanbok, folding hanji (traditional Korean paper), writing in Korean, traditional tea ceremony, traditional etiquette school, and herbal medicine experience. There are also taekwondo demonstrations and other various performances held around the village. Visitors can also try traditional games such as yunnori (traditional board game), or understand more about the area through a guided tour.

Saeki P&C [Tax Refund Shop] (세기피앤씨)

9.1Km 2024-04-18

22-12, Supyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi (충무로 쭈꾸미 불고기)

9.1Km 2024-03-11

11, Toegye-ro 31-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2279-0803

Opened in 1976, Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi is Michelin-starred restaurant. Their signature dish is jjukkumi (webfoot octopus), which is marinated in hot seasoning using traditional know-how. Grilled over charcoal with pen shells, it offers a perfect dish. The spicy and sweet jjukkumi goes well with the bean sprout soup. When you're done eating, fry up some rice and enjoy a delicious meal.

HANILKWAN - Gwanghwamun Branch (한일관 광화문)

9.1Km 2024-03-18

50, Jong-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-7557

It is a store that has been operating with a long tradition since 1939. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is bulgogi.

Masinneungimchijjim&Sundubu (맛있는김치찜&순두부)

9.1Km 2021-03-20

31, Ujeongguk-ro, 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-1095

Selling spicy soups, it’s a good place to visit after visiting Cheonggyecheon. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is pork and kimchi stew.

Uyungmyeongwan Cheonggyecheon Main Store (우육면관청계천점)

9.1Km 2024-04-19

75-2 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Uyungmyeongwan is a noodle restaurant specializing in uyungmyeon (beef noodle soup) located near Cheonggyecheon Stream. Its flagship dish is the uyungmyeon, which harmonizes tender meat with rich broth. In addition, they also sell freshly made sugyo (Chinese-style boiled mandu) filled with shrimp, pork, and young cabbage daily. Loved by locals and tourists alike for its clean yet flavorful broth and chewy noodles.

Jjamppong Zizon Jongno (짬뽕지존 종로)

9.1Km 2024-03-15

25 Samil-daero 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-725-5161

Jjamppong Zizon is a Chinese restaurant located near Cheonggyecheon Stream. Their signature dish, zizon jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup), combines fresh seafood with a spicy broth enhanced with smoky flavors. They also offer zizon jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles). For those craving extra heat, there are options like jiok jjamppong (extra spicy seafood noodle soup) and jiok jjajang (spicy black bean sauce noodles). Additionally, they serve chapssal tangsuyuk (deep-fried pork in sweet rice batter with sweet and sour sauce), coating pork in chewy sweet rice batter.

Gongpyeongdong Kkomjangeo (공평동꼼장어)

9.1Km 2021-03-26

29, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-1769

It is a place where you can eat in the atmosphere of a cart bar that is often featured in Korean dramas. The best menu at this restaurant is grilled sea eel. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문) - Area information - Korea travel information