Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

754.8M 2025-06-19

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

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the future King Taejo and founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location to the north, comparied to Changdeokgung Palace in the east and Gyeonghuigung Palace in the west. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. Many Joseon kings were crowned here. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong. The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, however, resulted in Gyeongbokgung Palace losing its function as a royal palace, eventually witnessing the downfall of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. The sculptures in the Geunjeongjeon Hall exemplify Joseon-era sculpture techniques. The west side of the area outside Heungnyemun Gate is occupied by the National Palace Museum of Korea, while the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion within the Gyeongbokgung Palace is occupied by the National Folk Museum of Korea.

Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

754.8M 2024-07-17

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1522-2295

The Royal Culture festival is held at the five Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. The festival first began in 2014 and provides visitors with first-hand knowledge of these important cultural heritages through unique performances, exhibitions, experiences and programs. The festival expanded in 2021 to be hosted twice a year, in spring and in fall.

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

754.9M 2025-06-17

Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Songhyeon Green Plaza, located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongno, is a space for culture and rest. The site was formerly used as housing for Shiksan Bank during Japanese rule. After Korea’s liberation, it served as a residence for the US Embassy and military personnel. Later in 1997, it was returned to the Korean government but remained unused for years. In 2022, the ownership was transferred to the Korean House and Land Corporation and then to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which redeveloped it into a green plaza and opened it to the public. Upon entering the plaza, visitors are greeted by a spacious lawn adorned with flowers during the blooming season. The plaza is connected to the nearby tourist attractions through shortcuts cutting through it, including Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insa-dong, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

Machyomara (마쵸마라)

759.4M 2021-03-22

5, Jong-ro, 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-8886

A place selling maratang (mala soup), which is popular among Koreans who like spicy food. The best menu at this restaurant is mala soup. This Chinese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

RADOST (라도스트)

761.1M 2021-03-22

17, Ujeongguk-ro, 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-8945

A restaurant frequented by office workers in Jongno after work. The best menu at this restaurant is deep-fried and braised boneless chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

770.4M 2025-06-19

4 Yulgok-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA), the first public museum of craft art in Korea, opened its doors in Anguk-dong, Jongno-gu, in July 2021 after renovating five buildings of the former Pungmoon Girls’ High School. SeMoCA studies and shares not only works, but also information, records, people, and environment related to craft art with the goal of becoming a dynamic platform for experiencing the technical, practical, artistic, and cultural values of craft.
SeMoCA holds a collection that comprises various crafts and craft materials covering multiple fields and eras from the traditional to the present. SeMoCA also holds exhibitions that feature the history of craft from traditional to contemporary art as well as local and children’s crafts, along with programs that utilize the museum’s craft installations, craft archives, craft library, and craft resource management system.
The site of the museum has deep historical roots as it is also the Andong Secondary Palace Site, where a detached palace was constructed as a royal residence for King Sejong’s son Prince Yeongeung, and served as a venue for royal celebrations, such as the wedding of King Sunjong. The site is also at the center of Jongno-gu, where Joseon-era master artisans (“gyeonggongjang”) of the royal palace produced and delivered craft works.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

773.8M 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)

773.8M 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.

Honbap Star (서촌막회센타)

776.3M 2021-03-24

49, Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-9018-6349

This is a raw fish restaurant known for its cost-effectiveness. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is sliced raw small fish.

Jogeum (조금)

777.1M 2021-03-29

62-4, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-725-8400

It is a Japanese-style hot pot rice store. The best menu at this restaurant is Hot Stone Pot Rice. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) - Area information - Korea travel information