Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

327.9M 154064 2022-12-14

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.

Hanboknam (한복남)

343.7M 24058 2021-01-27

17, Bukchon-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-6485-8507

Started in Jeonju in 2012, Hanboknam strived to promote the beauty of hanbok, earning recognition by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2015. Following this, Hanboknam opened a hanbok exhibition and rental shop in the Bukchon area of Seoul in 2016. The shop provides customers with numerous styles of hanbok, from royalty to beggars. The rental shop also offers various accessories to pair with the different hanbok for a complete look.

Kukje Gallery (국제갤러리)

348.2M 16755 2021-07-29

54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8449

The Kukje Galley has been committed to presenting the work of significant Korean and international contemporary artists to the public since 1982. The gallery has established itself as a leading venue for international exhibits such as Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Jim Dine, Frank Stella, Robert Mangold, Anthony Caro, Cy Twombly, Edward Ruscha, Anselm Kiefer, Joseph Beuys, and Bill Viola, attracting enthusiastic responses from both the public and the media.

The gallery has placed emphasis on collaborations between artists, galleries, and art dealers around the world and nurturing upcoming artists by sponsoring their artwork and giving them international exposure.

The Restaurant (더레스토랑)

356.2M 154 2021-03-27

54, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8441

It is a gallery-like restaurant where you can appreciate paintings drawn by famous artists. The best menu at this restaurant is spaghetti. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Tea Therapy (티테라피)

367.5M 0 2024-01-30

74 Yunboseon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tea Therapy, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a place for those who feel uncomfortable because of a minor illness that is not serious enough to require going to the hospital. Visitors can enjoy medicinal herb tea, which is often difficult to approach, in a more easy and special way here. Tea Therapy’s tea, like other herbal teas, can be brewed within 3 minutes and offers a soothing sensation. Not only is the tea delicious but it also benefits the body. Even those unfamiliar with teas can find a tea that suits their taste and needs through a simple and amusing tea test. The types of tea offered at Tea Therapy include Hyangtong Tea, good for muscle pain; Omija Tea, which gives vitality; Medicinal Herb Tea, good for colds; and Pear and Bellflower Root Tea, good for the bronchial tubes. They also sell those teas so that visitors can enjoy the same taste at home.

Jeongdok Library (서울특별시교육청 정독도서관)

377.0M 20643 2021-05-08

48, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-5799

Jeongdok Library opened in January 1977 on the former site of the Gyeonggi High School in Bukchon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. As a public city library, it boasts little under half a million books and 16,300 reference materials. The Seoul Education Museum in the library houses a collection of 12,000 reference materials.

In addition to basic library functions (lending books and offering archives and reading rooms to the public), the library runs various cultural programs such as monthly lectures by invited authors, photo exhibitions, reading seminars, and music/dance performances.

Aēsop - Samcheong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이솝 삼청)

376.2M 0 2024-04-17

58-3, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Cafe COIN 2ho (Cafe COIN 2호)

377.1M 266 2021-03-22

29, Myeongdong, 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-1506

A café operated for more than 20 years in Myeong-dong. This is a cafe located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is waffle.

Insa-dong (인사동)

389.5M 873652 2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-0222

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

World Jewellery Museum (세계장신구박물관)

398.5M 26230 2023-09-21

2, Bukchon-ro 5na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-1610

Situated in the gallery district in the back alley of Samcheong-dong (east of Gyeongbokgung Palace), the World Jewellery Museum houses 3,000 jewelry pieces from 60 countries, which have been collected over 30 years. Of which, 1,000 have been selected for display. The first floor contains an Amber Wall that goes back as far as 50 million years, the Golden Hall (El Dorado), the Necklace Hall, and the solemn Alter of the Cross. The second floor holds a mask wall, rings, beads and ivory as well as modern jewelry.

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