Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

3.1Km 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.

Cafe COIN 2ho (Cafe COIN 2호)

3.1Km 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.

BUA (부아)

3.1Km 2021-03-19

9, Bogwang-ro 59-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-792-3340

A restaurant frequently featured in programs on Korean delicious dishes. Bua, meaning a lotus in Thai, features authentic Thai cuisine. The best menu at this restaurant is som tam. This is a Asian restaurant located in Itaewon, Seoul.

Usmania (우스마니아)

3.1Km 2017-10-10

34, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-7155

Usmania is a Pakistani restaurant located in Itaewon. The restaurant imports all its ingredients from Pakistan (except for its meats and vegetables) in order to make the dishes as authentic as possible. Dishes are cooked in a tandoor, a clay oven used in just about every household in Pakistan.

Bon PALETE (봉파레트)

3.1Km 2021-03-29

57-1, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-766-0827

You can enjoy delicious meals at a hanok restaurant. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood pasta.

World Jewellery Museum (세계장신구박물관)

3.1Km 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.

Eye On Optical - Hanyang Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (아이온안경 한양대)

3.2Km 2024-04-17

#101, 30, Majo-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

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Ewha Centennial Hall (이화여고100주년기념관)

3.2Km 2024-02-20

26 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Ewha Centennial Hall is a multimedia education center located next to Ewha Girls' High School. Spanning underground and five above-ground floors, it features a gallery, a cafe, music rooms, individual practice rooms, and audio-visual rooms. The Hwaham Hall on the first and second floors is utilized for performances such as musicals and concerts, as well as educational events.

Choong Ang High School (중앙고등학교)

3.2Km 2024-10-24

164 Changdeokgung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-1321

Choong Ang High School is located in Jong-ro near Samcheongdong-gil. It was built to educate the public at the beginning of the 20th century. The school’s main building was reconstructed in 1937 after the original two-story brick house was destroyed in 1934. The main building situated in front of the main gate is a two-story H-shaped granite stone building in Gothic style, with a four-story tower in the middle.

The school holds historical significance because it was designed by Park Dong Jin, one of Korea's first modern architects and the designer of Korea University’s main building, library, and the Chosun Ilbo Newspaper Company building. The main building of Choong Ang High School is designated as Historic Site No. 281. Many national leaders were educated at the gothic building during the grim period when Korea was trying to escape Japanese colonial rule.

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (황생가칼국수)

3.2Km 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.

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