Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

11.0Km    2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

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.

Eungam-dong Donkkaseu (응암동돈까스)

Eungam-dong Donkkaseu (응암동돈까스)

11.0Km    2021-03-29

338, Eungam-ro, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-352-2414

It is a favorite restaurant among local residents. The best menu at this restaurant is jumbo sized pork cutlet. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul.

Lemon Mart - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (레몬마트 명동)

11.0Km    2024-04-17

1F, 45, Myeongdong 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Geumdong Hwaro Sutbulgui (금동화로숯불구이)

Geumdong Hwaro Sutbulgui (금동화로숯불구이)

11.0Km    2021-03-19

35, Toegye-ro, 41-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2264-3002

This Korean cuisine is located near Chungmuro Station, Seoul. The representative menu is spicy stir-fried boneless ribs. A Korean BBQ restaurant.

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

11.0Km    2025-01-17

55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul Museum of History covers everything about Seoul's history and culture from the prehistoric era to modern times, focusing especially on the Joseon era. The museum aims to raise cultural awareness and build a strong bond within the community by collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying artifacts and materials related to Seoul as well as promoting the city's history and culture to an international audience.

Libuk Sonmandu (리북손만두)

Libuk Sonmandu (리북손만두)

11.0Km    2019-08-28

17-13, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-7361

Libuk Sonmandu restaurant is located deep in the alleys behind Seoul City Hall in the Mugyo-dong area. It is famous for kimchimari bap and sonmandu (handmade dumplings). Kimchimaribap is rice in a soup of kimchi and ice cubes with various added flavorings that originated in North Korea. This is a refreshing dish for summer. Other items on the menu are bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mandu jeongol (dumpling hot pot).

Koreana Hotel (코리아나 호텔)

Koreana Hotel (코리아나 호텔)

11.0Km    2021-06-21

135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2171-7000

Koreana Hotel has been one of the top notch traveler's picks for more than 30 years, having the business motto 'comfort for our customers.'

The hotel is located at the Gwanghwamun fourway intersection, at the heart of Seoul, and provides 345 guest rooms. Amongst its dining facilities, the hotel boasts a Korean restaurant, Chinese restaurant, Japanese restaurant, and a Western restaurant, as well as a bar, coffee shops, and bakery. Eight banquet halls and a sauna are also available.

The hotel has operated as the main press center restaurant for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and subsequently operated as the Olympic Village Restaurant for the Special Olympics. As a result of their successful operations, the hotel received lavish praise from the organizers, as well as from the players and staff for the high quality food and spectacular service.

cafe C.O.S (카페코스)

cafe C.O.S (카페코스)

11.1Km    2021-03-24

16, Eunpyeong-ro, 9-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul
+82-10-3049-1030

It is a coffee shop that offers affordable prices. This cafe is located in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is coffee.

Great Shanghai (대상해)

Great Shanghai (대상해)

11.1Km    2020-02-07

135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2171-7869

Great Shanghai is a Chinese restaurant serving deliciously genuine Sichuan and Beijing-style cuisine, located within the Koreana Hotel. Their specialty is shark's fin, directly imported from Sanji, and prepared by the head chef who has over 30 years of experience. Aside from shark's fin, the healthy buldojang, mapadubu and ddanddanmyeon are also top menus. Great Shanghai is decorated with high-quality interior design, and features rooms of various sizes for groups and business dinners.

Gyeonghuigung Palace (경희궁)

11.1Km    2024-07-09

45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0274

Gyeonghuigung Palace, a designated Historic Site, was originally called the large palace by Saemun Gate, or the Western Palace, for its location within the city. It was not until the eighth year of Gwanghaegun (1616) that the palace was used as a royal residence for the king, changing the name to Gyeongdeokgung Palace. The name later changed again to the current Gyeonghuigung Palace in 1760. The palace grounds included many halls but they were mostly all burned down in a fire in 1829. After the Japanese occupation began, all remaining buildings on the site were torn down and the palace grounds were turned into Gyeongseong Middle School (now Seoul High School). The school moved to Gangnam area in 1987, afterwhich the previous location was turned into a park. The palace grounds currently hold Seoul Museum of Art and walking paths, as well as a restoration of Heunghwamun Gate, the main gate of the palace, and Sungjeongjeon Hall, the main hall, completed in November 1994.