Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

883.4M 2024-12-04

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.

Seoul Lantern Festival (서울빛초롱축제)

884.4M 2025-01-15

Seorin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3788-8168

The Seoul Lantern Festival is held every year from the first Friday of November to the third weekend of the month for approximately 3 weeks. With various themed lanterns around Cheonggyecheon Stream, visitors can enjoy both traditional lanterns and modern LED lanterns. The festival provides much to see and do with the addition of Gwanghwamun Square Market.

Gwanghwamun Market (광화문 마켓)

884.4M 2024-09-30

175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3788-8168

Gwanghwamun Market takes place along with the Seoul Lantern Festival to support local small businesses and promote Seoul night tourism. The market features local store owners and businesses that exhibit and sell seasonal decor, handcrafted items, and winter snacks.

Chamsutgol (참숯골)

891.4M 2019-08-01

16, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-2100

Located in Mugyo-dong in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chamsutgol (참숯골) is an upscale restaurant serving hanu beef dishes. The restaurant uses only top quality hanu beef from young cattle (two years old or younger) raised on farms in Jeolla-do Province. For freshness and tenderness, the restaurant serves only fresh meat (not frozen) of A+ grade or higher. To bring out its juiciness and tenderness, the meat is grilled on a charcoal fire.

The elegant ambience and décor and the variety of rooms in different sizes make the restaurant a favorite choice for special events. It is also regularly visited by international tourists. Popular dishes are the sirloin steak and marinated ribs, doengjang soup, and yeongyang dolsotbap (rice served in a hot stone bowl).

NOBIZIB (너비집)

892.3M 2021-03-24

37-8, Myeongdong, 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-756-4084

This restaurant is famous for spicy Galbijjim (braised short ribs). This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is spicy braised short ribs.

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (황생가칼국수)

894.5M 2024-03-18

78 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-6334

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu is a specialty restaurant located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, known for its kalguksu (noodle soup). Kalguksu is a type of noodle soup made by thinly slicing dough into noodles with a knife and boiling them in a broth made from beef bones, clams, or seafood. Their menu includes options like wang mandu (jumbo mandu), hanu suyuk (boiled Korean beef slices), kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup), beoseot jeongol (mushroom hot pot), and mandutguk (mandu soup). It was selected as a Michelin Guide Seoul 2023 restaurant.

Sejong-ro Park (세종로공원)

895.2M 2022-08-31

jiha 189, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-9598

Sejong-ro Park is located next to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Inside the park, there are wooden benches and shaded areas where people can sit and relax. Also available are water fountains, a round outdoor stage, and various sculptures. The lunch crowd from the nearby office buildings often come to the park during weekdays. On the weekends, the park is also used as a venue for outdoor weddings.

Seoul's anthem and the poem "Bulnori" by Ju Yo-han are written on a memorial stone that can be found inside the park.

Myeongdong Hanubang (명동한우방)

898.2M 2021-03-18

37-5, Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-8132

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. A Korean BBQ restaurant. The representative menu is grilled thin skirt.

Four Points by Sheraton Josun Seoul Myeong-dong (포포인츠 바이 쉐라톤 조선 서울 명동)

905.2M 2022-06-09

36 , Samil-daero 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Four Points by Sheraton Josun Seoul Myeong-dong branch is a unique hotel located in Eulji-ro, Seoul. The hotel is located near Eulji-ro and Myeong-dong making it the perfect accommodation for business and leisure guests. There is a restaurant, lounge & bar, fitness center, meeting room, and business center.

Gahoe Museum (가회민화박물관)

906.7M 2024-10-22

52 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-0466

Opened in 2002, Gahoe Museum exhibits folk paintings and amulets reflecting the lifestyle and wishes of the Korean people from ancient times. Inside the Hanok gallery, visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of Korea, including old paintings depicting people's lifestyle in the past and religious beliefs, and roof tiles in the shape of humans or goblins. Visitors will also find folding screens and religious objects used in the past that show skills and knowledge of Korean ancestors.

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