Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

1.5Km 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.

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

1.5Km 2025-08-20

1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
박주원 학예연구사 02-3771-8636

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display brightens the night through a media facade display on Yeongbingwan Hall. The display shows the history of Cheong Wa Dae through the theme "Twelve Lights".

LoL Park (롤파크)

1.6Km 2025-11-04

33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Lol Park is the venue where the largest-scale League of Legends competition in South Korea, LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea), is held. It serves as a space for various esports events and activities, featuring spectator seating, LCK Arena (lounge), Riot Store (merchandise shop), PC rooms, and café.

Sonjung Bossam (손정보쌈)

1.6Km 2025-07-25

24 Samil-daero 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sonjung Bossam offers dishes with a modern touch by reinterpreting traditional meals. Passed down for three generations, this restaurant values sincerity and careful attention in food making in order to serve every customer a heartwarming meal. Sonjung Bossam's signature dish Premium Gabri Bossam takes only the rarest pork cut, the blade-end fatback called "gabri" in Korean, and boils the meat using the restaurant's secret recipe for tender, juicy meat. The restaurant also serves their own special version of spicy stir-fried fish roe and intestines and haemultang (spicy seafood stew), boasting a generous amount of various seafood and rich broth. All meals are prepared wholeheartedly as if they are being served to a family.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

1.6Km 2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

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

1.6Km 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.

Jinhyang Jokbal (진향족발)

1.6Km 2024-10-15

231-1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-745-5533

A pig's trotter(s) specialty restaurant located near Jongno 5(o)ga Station in Seoul. One of the top 5 jokbal (pig's trotter) restaurants in Seoul. This restaurant's signature menu is braised pigs' feet.

Boan1942 (보안1942)

1.7Km 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>

KT Square (KT스퀘어)

1.7Km 2021-07-08

178, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1577-5599

KT Square is a multi-complex that offers various cultural performances as well as hands-on experiences of the latest in IT technology. Gallery 130 showcases the history of KT Corp.

Redtable Inc (주식회사 레드테이블)

1.7Km 2025-10-23

10F, SIGNATURE TOWER(WEST),100,Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

We are a Google partner in Korea that provides services for searching, inquiries, consultations, bookings, and payments related to hospitals, wellness centers, and aesthetic services on Google.

We focus on attracting global tourists from English-speaking countries, Japan, and other Asian regions.

Additionally, Redtable Inc is an official agency of Meituan-Dianping (the largest integrated platform in China), specializing in marketing and promotions for the Chinese market.

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