Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

10.1Km 2024-12-02

251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Prison was built under the Japanese administration to imprison independence movement activists. It first opened on October 21, 1908 under the name Gyeongseong Prison. Eventually, so many activists were imprisoned that the building had to be expanded. At that time, the name changed to Seodaemun Prison on September 3, 1912. Eighty years later, the prison was turned into Seodaemun Independence Park on August 15, 1992 to commemorate the Korean patriots who were tortured in prison, giving their lives for freedom. Of the many buildings, only seven were preserved for their historical significance, among which three prison buildings and the execution site were designated as a Historic Site. In 1998, the park underwent another transformation into today's Seodaemun Prison History Hall to educate the public on the importance of Korea's independence and the sacrifices of those who fought to achieve it.

Sogang University (서강대학교)

10.1Km 2023-07-07

35, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Sogang University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit university located in central Seoul. Campus life at Sogang University is enhanced by student clubs as well as technological advancement. Furthermore, the proximity to other leading universities (Yonsei University and Ewha Woman's University) contributes to the intellectual and social vitality of student life at Sogang University.

Suseongdonggyegok Valley (수성동계곡)

10.1Km 2023-08-17

185-3, Ogin-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 옥인동

Suseong-dong Valley's stream runs down from Inwangsan Mountain and joins Cheonggyecheon Stream, and it is said that the name of the village was called Suseong-dong during the Joseon dynasty due to the loud and clear sound of the flowing water. It appears in the painting "Jangdong Palgyeongcheop," which is Jangdong Eight Scenic Views, that depicts the eight scenic views of Bugaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain as well as in other historical books of the Joseon dynasty as a place of scenic beauty. The valley was so famous for its beauty, that Prince Anpyeong of the Joseon dynasty built his house "Bihaedang" to fully enjoy the view, and the valley and its stone bridge were designated as a cultural property of Seoul in 2010.

Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

10.1Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Dongnimmun stands at the location originally known as Yeongeun, where envoys were once treated. When a Chinese envoy visited, the King would go out through this door to greet. In 1898, to announce the independence from Japan, Dongnimun was constructed with the fund collected by the citizens. The traces of the past still remain on Dongnimmun with two pillars in front of Dongnimmun being the remains of Yeongeunmun.

The Arc de Triomphe in France can be recalled in comparison to Dongnimmun. Dongnimmun was built using granite with a passageway x_height of 14.28 meters. On the top it is written ‘Dongnimmun’ in Korean with the national flag drawn on each side. On the inner-left side there are stone stairs leading to the attic. The national flower Mugunghwa are planted around Dongnimmun. Now it is surrounded by roads and it is eye-catching to view when passing by.

Bonghwasan Mountain - Seoul (봉화산 (서울))

10.2Km 2022-09-14

Sinnae-ro 21-gil, Jungnang-gu, Seoul

Bonghwasan Mountain (alt. 160 meters) in Jungnang-gu, Seoul offers scenic views of Buramsan, Dobongsan, and Namsan mountains. From the mountain, hikers can even see as far as the Yangju area of Gyeonggi-do Province to the north. Officially designated a “neighborhood park” in July 1977, Bonghwasan Mountain has a variety of convenience facilities, not least of which is the beacon tower of Achasan Bongsudae (remolded in 1994) perched on the mountain summit. Also near the summit is Sansingak Shrine, which is the site of the annual Bonghwasan Dodanggut (Intangible Cultural Property of Seoul), a shamanistic rite performed on the third day of the third lunar month.

Seoul Color Park (서울색공원)

10.2Km 2021-06-23

330, Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

The Seoul Color Park spans over 9,000 ㎡ of land next to the Hangang River under Mapodaegyo Bridge. It features a large wave-shaped sculpture, as well as bar code graphics and benches painted with 10 different colors that have been designed as the Colors of Seoul. The streetscape is designed with images and Colors of Seoul that includes “Dancheong” red, “Kkotdam” red brown, “Namsan” green and more. Sculptures and art works using the Colors of Seoul can also be seen at Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul History Museum.

Seoul Cruise (서울크루즈)

10.2Km 2025-12-04

231 Yeouidohanganggongwon-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

Hyundai Cruise Line, Korea's first marine tourism cruise operator, was founded in 1983 and renamed Seoul Cruise after building a new terminal in Yeouido. With Yeouido Ferry Terminal as its base, Seoul Cruise is the only passenger cruise operator that can travel from the Hangang River to the West Sea, passing through the Ara West Sea Lock. The company currently operates from two terminals: Yeouido Ferry Terminal and Ara Gimpo Terminal. In addition to offering tours that showcase the scenic beauty of the Hangang River, Seoul Cruise also provides other options, such as the Dinner Fireworks Cruise, which lets passengers enjoy a fireworks show along the Ara Waterway in Gimpo.

Guri Hangang Park (Cosmos Park) (구리시민한강공원 (코스모스공원))

10.2Km 2021-09-15

Topyeong-dong, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do

Guri Hangang Park offers a perfect rest area for visitors where visitors can feel the cool breeze coming off the river and rest amidst the beautiful natural scenery. The park’s bounties of flowers are at their peak in May with field of canola flowers, and in September when the cosmos bloom.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

10.2Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

10.3Km 2023-01-16

279-24, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

The National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government was established to shine a light on the proud history of the Korean Provisional Government's independence and the spirit of a democratic republic and to pass it on to future generations. The four-story memorial building with three underground floors houses three permanent exhibits, one special exhibit, Larchiveum, Symbol Plaza, storage, multi-purpose hall, and rooftop garden over a total area of 3,656 square meters, a total floor area of 9,703 square meters and a total exhibition space of 2,240 square meters. The permanent exhibits consist of a series of historic events from the March 1st Movement, which served as a turning point for the formation of the Provisional Government, to the foundation of the Korean Government that succeeded the mantle of the provisional government, while the special exhibit on the 1st floor currently hosts a special opening exhibition under the title of 『The Return of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea』. Moreover, a symbolic wall installation under the theme of "Waves of History" is displayed in the outdoor plaza on the 1st floor of the memorial expressing the Provisional Government’s desire for independence and the dynamics of the past, present, and future of Korea.

Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관) - Area information - Korea travel information