Bukjeong Village (북정마을)

1.1Km 2024-02-15

132-3 Seongbuk-ro 23-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Bukjeong Village, situated along the slopes of Seongbuk-dong, offers a glimpse into Korea's old alleyways. The village expanded as refugees from the Korean War (1950–1953) and people from various regions settled, building houses under the collapsed walls of Hanyang doseong (Seoul City Wall). Presently, the village is home to young artists, and the broad street in front of the village bus stop hosts various community events.

Onion Anguk Branch (어니언 안국)

1.1Km 2024-02-20

5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Onion is a café situated in a hanok dating back to the 1920s. Renovated with careful preservation of the daecheongmaru and madang, the café offers a glimpse into traditional Korean architecture. The signature menu item is the vanilla bean latte, and popular desserts include pandoro and salty butter bread. Its proximity to nearby attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace makes it a convenient stop for those exploring Seoul's major palaces.

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

1.1Km 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.

Haeunjae (하은재)

1.1Km 2024-12-23

68-10 , Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-504-0904-2414

Ha Eunjae is a private hanok stay in Seochon Village, just west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. The accommodation comprises a bedroom with queen-size bed, a kitchen, a movie room, and two bathrooms. The movie room is fitted out with a Bose sound system, a beam projector, and a large screen, with a movable footbath as a bonus. The kitchen is equipped for simple cooking. Guests staying 2 nights or more during the week receive a 10% discount, and towel replacement and cleaning services are provided for stays of 3 nights or more. Ha Eunjae is close to major tourist attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace and Samcheong-dong.

Boan1942 (보안1942)

1.1Km 2023-08-17

33 , Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of "Boanstay."

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul's historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

Jihwaja (지화자)

1.1Km 2024-03-18

125 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2269-5834

Jihwaja is a traditional Korean restaurant operated by a successor of Joseon dynasty royal dishes. Their manchan course (full course) includes menus served at royal banquets such as gungjung manchan (royal course), Jineo-byul manchan (deluxe royal degustation course), and janggeum manchan (daejanggeum degustation course) courses. The janggeum course reconstructs dishes from the drama "Dae Jang Geum." For the Jeongchan course (Set menu), they offer so galbi sura (grilled beef ribs course), jeonbok cho sura (braised abalones in soy sauce course), so galbi jjim sura (braised beef short ribs course), and haemul sinseollo sura (seafood hot pot course). Additionally, they serve milk porridge, meat and vegetable skewers, mandu, royal hot pot, and grilled marinated beef.

Vestis - Gyeongbokgung Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (베스티스 경복궁)

1.1Km 2024-04-18

1F, 17, Jahamun-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Museum of Craft Art (SeMoCA) (서울공예박물관)

1.2Km 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.

Matthew Chang Anguk (메튜장 안국)

1.2Km 2025-07-14

33 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Matthew Chang Anguk flagship store uses the whole space to bring the brand's philosophy to life through fragrance. Located in Anguk, the heart of Korea's tradition and aesthetics, the store's tranquil atmosphere sets the mood for visitors to try on and experiment with the brand's carefully selected perfume collection. The staff provides assistance in recommending the perfect scent according to visitor's preference, mood, and nostalgia. The store also has a section dedicated to body care products, such as hand wash and body lotion.

Changdeokgung Injeongmun Gate (창덕궁 인정문)

1.2Km 2025-01-14

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

Serving as the main gate of Injeongjeon Hall, Injeongmun Gate was established in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon dynasty). Later on, the gate was destroyed by multiple fires during the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), therefore current form of the establishment displays designs that are more often seen in the late 19th century's. In addition, a lot of subsidary marks and buildings are removed from the original places and relocated passing the time, however, still remains to represent prestigious ambience.

Injeongmun Gate served as the place for several coronation ceremonies of kings, prince's succession of throne, and many other national affairs celebrated by the royal members who gathered and aligned around this gate.

Bukjeong Village (북정마을) - Area information - Korea travel information