Wondangsaem Park (원당샘공원) – Homepage tour.dobong.go.kr Wondangsaem Pond is named after the Wondang village, where the Yun family settled about 600 years ago. It is a park that harmoniously blends a traditional pond with a Hall of Rejoicing Pavilion called Samojeong, a wall fall, and a floral wall. During autumn, the golden foliage of an…

The National Assembly Building (국회의사당) – Homepage www.assembly.go.kr (Korean, English) – Tel +82-2-788-2114 The National Assembly Building stands as the symbol of Korean democracy. It consists of the National Assembly Building, the National Assembly Library, and the Memorial Hall. Visitors can take part in programs such as observing the Plenary Chamber and visiting the Children’s…

King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상) – Homepage tour.jongno.go.kr – Tel +82-2-2133-7713 King Sejong Statue can be found at Seoul’s Gwanghawmun Square. The statue commemorates King Sejong the Great (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450), the fourth king of Joseon (1392-1897). He is thought to be the greatest king in Korean history, for he is credited with great developments…

Inwangsan Mountain (인왕산) – Homepage parks.seoul.go.kr – Tel +82-2-2148-2834 Inwangsan Mountain is a rocky mountain located to the northwestern side of Seoul. It stands 338m tall.  The Seoul City Wall is built along its ridge, connecting to the Baegak Mountain Trail. From the summit, one can see the three mountains of Naksan Mountain, Namsan Mountain,…

Bugaksan Mountain (북악산) – Homepage www.jongno.go.kr/English – Tel +82-2-765-0297 Bugaksan Mountain is the mountain that one can see behind the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Cheong Wa Dae to the north. Hanyangdoseong, the city wall that surrounded the historic capital of Hanyang, was built by connecting the ridges of this mountain. These walls can still be…

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (충무공 이순신 동상) – Homepage tour.jongno.go.kr The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin can be found at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) was a naval commander who served during the Japanese invasion of Korea (also known as Imjin War: 1592-1598). The undefeated admiral achieved 23 victories against the…

Unhyeongung Royal Residence (서울 운현궁) – Homepage www.unhyeongung.or.kr – Tel +82-2-766-9090 Located near the Gyeongbokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace was a residence of royalty in Joseon period. It was the place where Gojong (1582-1919, reign 1864-1907), king of Joseon (1392-1897) and emperor of the Korean Empire (1897-1910), was born in, as well as the place where…

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터) – Homepage tour.jongno.go.kr – Tel +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….

Tapgol Park (탑골공원) – Tel +82-2-731-0534 Tapgol Park is the first modern park in Seoul. Having been the site of the Buddhist temple of Wongaksa Temple since 1467, the land was turned into a park in 1897. The park has a significant presence in Korean history, being the place where the March 1 Independence Movement…

Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley (서울 동대문 닭한마리 골목) – Homepage tour.jongno.go.kr – Tel +82-2-2236-9135 Located near the Dongdaemun Market, Dongdaemun Dak Hanmari Alley gets its name from the restaurants serving dak hanmari (whole chicken soup) that line the alley. Dak hanmari (whole chicken soup), literally “one whole chicken” in Korean, is a dish where a…