Samcheong Park (삼청공원) - Area information - Korea travel information

Samcheong Park (삼청공원)

19.6Km    2024-03-18

44, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4150

Samcheong Park is a park that blooms in cherry blossoms in spring and fall colors in fall near Gyeongbokgung Palace. The park is home to a forest library and a café, and visitors can follow the trails to find acupressure trails, exercise equipment, badminton court, tennis court, playground, and a convenience store. The area surrounding the park is home to many galleries and restaurants, so it is a popular destination for walking among the people of Seoul.

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

19.6Km    2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1861

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone stretches from Seorin-dong to Changsin-dong between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jong-ro. It includes Youth Street, Gwangjang Market, Sewoon Electronics Department Store, lighting stores, pharmacy & medical device stores, badge stores, Stamp Street, Stationery · Toy Market, Aquarium Street, Shoes Market, and other markets totalling to approximately 14,000 shops. Nearby attractions include modern high-story buildings as well as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Unhyeongung Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong, merging traditions, modernism, culture, and markets alike.

Thought to be at the heart of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream is located in the dense cultural area of Seoul where various press networks, organizations, bookstores and other major corporations are situated. Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream is a famous activity for tourists. Also, the area is the venue for the Seoul Lantern Festival every winter. Keeping its traditional scene including narrow alleys, old-fashioned hanok buildings and various stores still fully intact, the tourist zone has enough fun places for sightseeing as well as tasty restaurants in every corner for a more enjoyable visit.

Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)

Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관)

19.6Km    2023-12-22

283, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-724-0243

Hanyangdoseong, the Seoul City Wall, built in 1396, was the city fortress wall that protected the capital city Seoul for over 600 years. The fortress wall was built along the terrains and although it became partially damaged during the modernization process, its original form remains well to this day, making it a cultural heritage that coexists with the modern city. The Seoul City Wall Museum, located in Heungjinjimun Park, is a museum containing the history and culture of city wall from the Joseon dynasty to the present. It is a cultural space with a permanent exhibition hall, special exhibition hall, city wall information center, and study room.

Onnuri Pharmacy - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (온누리약국 종로)

Onnuri Pharmacy - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (온누리약국 종로)

19.6Km    2024-04-19

1F, 293, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Hongdae Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 홍대대학로)

Olive Young - Hongdae Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 홍대대학로)

19.7Km    2024-04-16

57, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Korea Art Festival (대한민국 미술축제)

Korea Art Festival (대한민국 미술축제)

19.7Km    2025-07-31

57 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-7575-0980

Korea Art Festival is the nation's largest art festival that connects the 12 major art fairs and biennales taking place nationwide. The 2025 festival takes place in September, inviting visitors to enjoy the world of art.

Dongdaemun Jeongyuk Sikdang (동대문정육식당)

Dongdaemun Jeongyuk Sikdang (동대문정육식당)

19.7Km    2024-03-15

7-3 Jong-ro 46ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-764-1541

Dongdaemun Jeongyuk Sikdang is a butcher restaurant specializing in fresh meat located near Dongdaemun Fashion Town. They offer high-quality Korean beef and Korean pork sourced directly from the producers, allowing customers to choose cuts of meat according to their preferences at reasonable prices. Their savory soybean paste stew served in the center of the grill is also delicious. Customers can help themselves to additional side dishes like green onions threads and onion sauce at the self-service bar.

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate (흥인지문)

19.8Km    2025-10-23

288, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1842

Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed essential government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453, and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.

The gate features a hipped roof with five front and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle-shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.

One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period.

Owl Museum (부엉이박물관)

Owl Museum (부엉이박물관)

19.8Km    2022-09-19

143, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-2902

The Owl Museum is filled with over 2,000 pieces of owl-themed arts and crafts collected from all over the world by the owner. Renovated from a house, the museum has a feel of an antique café as the owner offers a cup of coffee or tea to visitors. Located near the city, those interested in owls should stop for a view and a drink. Various stories of how the collection was gathered as well as information on owls are also interesting.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계유산])

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계유산])

19.8Km    2025-07-21

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.