Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천)

2.7Km 2024-05-16

Changsin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2290-7111

Cheonggye Plaza was built on Sejong-ro Street, where Cheonggyecheon Stream begins. It was built between Dong-A Ilbo, the starting point of the Cheonggyecheon Stream restoration, and Sindap Railroad Bridge, with a length of 160 meters, a x_width of 50 meters, and a total area of 6,962 meters squared. The plaza is decorated with fountains, waterfalls, and walking paths. It was created as a place for meetings, harmony, peace, and unification, to celebrate the significance of the restoration of Cheonggyecheon Stream. A miniaturized version of Cheonggyecheon Stream is displayed here, providing an overview of the restored stream. There are also interpretive panels about the 22 bridges that cross Cheonggyecheon stream. Fountains of various shapes create beautiful scenery. Cheonggyecheon Stream is accessible from the square through stairs on the left and Cheonggye Trail on the right. There is also an 18-meter tunnel on the Cheonggye Trail, providing a unique experience for citizens entering Cheonggyecheon Stream from the plaza. After constructing Cheonggyecheon Plaza, the Seoul Metropolitan Government made it a car-free street on public holidays so that the plaza, waterside area, and streets could be used as cultural spaces for citizens to relax. A spectacular sight is created by three-color lights illuminating the fountains and a two-tiered waterfall coming down from a x_height of four meters. Palseokdam, made of eight stones from eight provinces in Korea, was laid along the waterfall's sides.

HANAMPIG Dongdaemoon (하남돼지집 동대문)

2.7Km 2024-03-11

9, Eulji-ro, 43-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-3030

Located near Dongdaemun Design Plaza , HANAMPIG specializes in grilled pork. When pre-grilled meat is served, the staff cuts it into pieces and puts it on the grill to cook. The recommended combination is to grill kimchi or mushrooms together to enhance the savory flavor. In the vicinity, one can explore Dongdaemun fashion malls, enriching the experience of the area.

Insa Art Space (인사미술공간)

2.7Km 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.

Manjok Ohyang Jokbal Dongdaemun (만족오향족발 동대문)

2.7Km 2024-03-12

1-3FL, 9-4, Eulji-ro, 43-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2271-0880

Situated between Dongdaemun and Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Manjok Ohyang Jokbal's Dongdaemun branch focuses on jokbal (braised pig's feet). In addition to their signature dish, jokbal (braised pigs' feet), they also serve a wide array of dishes including bossam (kimchi cabbage wraps with pork), jaengban guksu (jumbo sized buckwheat noodles), and mandu. As any dish ordered comes with mandu and sliced rice cake soup by default, it offers a satisfying ensemble.

Hoopcity Dongdaemun [Tax Refund Shop] (HOOPCITY 동대문)

2.7Km 2024-04-18

1F, 324, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Hiking Tourism Center - Bugaksan Branch (서울도심등산관광센터(북악산))

2.7Km 2024-03-05

88 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Bugaksan branch of Seoul Hiking Tourism Center is located on Samcheong-dong Culture Street and provides various services to hikers. It provides hiking course guidance and information (available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese) about the mountains of Seoul, including Bukhansan, Bugaksan, and Inwangsan Mountains, as well as promotional materials such as Seoul hiking tourism guidebooks and maps. Also, it operates hiking tour programs with various themes every week for foreigners and offers hiking gear rental services such as hiking boots, hiking attire, trekking poles, gloves, and crampons for foreigners. (Koreans accompanied by foreigners can also rent the gear.) In addition, there is a storage locker and lounge for visitors, so they can pack up and rest before hiking.

Kum Bak Yeon [Tax Refund Shop] (금박연)

2.7Km 2024-06-27

24-12, Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계유산])

2.7Km 2025-07-21

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Cheongsujeong (청수정)

2.7Km 2024-03-18

91 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheongsujeong is a traditional Korean restaurant specializing in mussel dishes near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Mussel rice is a traditional dish from Ulleungdo Island. The signature menu is the honghapbap jeongsik (mussel rice set menu), which includes mussel-infused rice served with soybean paste jjigae, various side dishes such as salads, acorn jelly, kimchi, grilled fish, and more. Additionally, they offer dishes like bulgogi deopbap (stir-fried bulgogi with rice), jeyukbokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork), and ojingeo bokkeum (stir-fried squid).

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

2.7Km 2025-08-20

Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

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.

Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) - Area information - Korea travel information