Sosohan Punggyeong (소소한 풍경)

1.6Km 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)

1.7Km 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.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.7Km 2025-07-11

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-737-6444

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day, with each ceremony following the same procedure and lasts for forty minutes to an hour, and the ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.

As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. Once the ceremony is over, visitors can take pictures with the gatekeepers.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

1.7Km 2025-01-13

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

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

1.7Km 2025-05-20

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

Insa Art Space (인사미술공간)

1.7Km 2021-02-26

89, Changdeokgung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-760-4722

Insa Art Space was established in 2000 to support artists who are experiencing financial difficulties. In 2005, Art Space started to develop artistic projects and in 2006, the gallery began to provide project consultations, and publishing and marketing, to develop into a stronger self-sufficient gallery. Currently, the gallery provides special exhibitions for artists and independent curators.

Nampo Myeonok (남포면옥)

1.7Km 2024-03-07

24, Eulji-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-3131

Located near Seoul City Hall and Cheonggyecheon Stream, Nampo Myeonok is a traditional Korean restaurant. Opened in 1968, it has been recognized by the Michelin Guide several times. Their specialty is pyeongyang naengmyeon (pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles). The restaurant also serves a variety of other dishes that are the most commonly found in Korea, including galbi tang (galbi soup), bulgogi, mandu soup, and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).

Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

1.7Km 2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3668-2300

Hyangnamu or 'Aromatic Tree' in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be about 700 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. It stands 12m in x_height, measures 5.9m in girth around the roots, and has branches spreading in all four directions. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

Whanki Art Museum (환기미술관)

1.7Km 2024-03-04

63, Jahamun-ro 40-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-391-7701

Whanki Art Museum exhibits the works of Kim Whanki (1913-1974), the pioneer of Korean abstract art. Kim was inspired by traditional features such as Korean mountains and streams, the sky, moons and clouds, the white porcelain and traditional patterns, and worked to express them in abstract forms through points, lines, and surfaces. The main collection features nearly 300 works by Kim. One can also find an art shop and a café.

Alive Museum (Insa-dong Branch) [박물관은 살아있다(인사동점)]

1.7Km 2024-03-15

(B1 and B2, Daeil Building), 12, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1544-8506

The Alive Museum is a media theme park located in Insa-dong. The exhibition here is made up of optical illusion art, large objet, and digital media pieces, which allow you to delve into the land of mystery. It is made up of different sections like the Insadong Photo Studio, Game Village, and the Toy Village.

Sosohan Punggyeong (소소한 풍경) - Area information - Korea travel information