Seodaemun Museum of Natural History (서대문자연사박물관)

– Homepage
namu.sdm.go.kr: Visit site

The Seodaemun Museum of Natural History is a public natural history museum located at the foot of Ansan Mountain in the heart of Seoul. Established by a public institution, the museum aims to enhance citizens’ understanding of nature and provides opportunities, particularly for ambitious children and adolescents, to directly observe and experience information regarding diverse organisms, geology, and the environment. The museum offers both knowledge and interest in nature through exhibitions, educational programs, and hands-on activities. It also serves as a cultural activity space for local residents. The Seodaemun Museum of Natural History offers opportunities to experience the value of life and nature even amidst urban life.

– Address : 51 Yeonhui-ro 32-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
– Information and Guides
+82-2-330-8899

– Day Off
Mondays (closed the following day if Monday is a public holiday), January 1, the day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)

– Usage Fee
Adults 7,000 won / Teenagers 4,000 won / Children 3,000 won* Refer to website for details

– Operating Hours
[March-October] Weekdays 09:00-18:00 / Weekends 09:00-19:00[November-February] Weekdays 09:00-17:00 / Weekends 09:00-18:00* Last admission 1 hour before closing* Refer to website for details

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall (홍제폭포)

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– Homepage
visitseoul.net: Visit site

Hongjecheon Artificial Waterfall is located along Hongjecheon Stream in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The waterfall was built in 2011 and is 25 meters tall and 60 meters wide. Despite being a man-made waterfall, the design and construction were so well-done that many find it hard to believe it wasn’t a naturally formed waterfall. The area around the waterfall features various places for citizens and visitors to relax, while there are many cafes and cultural spaces in the area to make a visit more enjoyable.

⊙ Seodaemun Culture & Sports Center Swimming Pool (서대문 문화체육회관 실내수영장)

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– Homepage
cs.sscmc.or.kr: Visit site

Seodaemun Culture & Sports Center Swimming Pool, covering 973 square meters, features a total of seven lanes with both adult and children’s pools. The facility provides regular swimming lessons, survival swimming lessons, aqua aerobics, and more. The water quality is maintained using a natural salt electrolysis system. For free swimming, visitors can purchase tickets from the kiosk on the second floor, receive wristbands from the information desk, and enjoy the facility at an affordable cost.

⊙ Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사)

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– Homepage
bongwonsa.or.kr: Visit site

Located on the outskirts of Ansan Mountain in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Bongwonsa Temple, as the center of Korean Buddhism Taego, is a thousand-year-old temple with a long history and tradition. In 889 (3rd year of Shilla Queen Jinseong’s reign), Monk Doseon founded it at the ground of Yeonhui Palace (now Yonsei Univ.) and named it Banyasa temple. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in 1592, and later in 1748 (the 24th year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign), it was rebuilt and renamed “Bongwonsa” by two Buddhist monks, Chanjeup and Jeungam.

“Yeongsanjae,” one of the Buddhist rituals and also a National Intangible Cultural Property, takes place at Bongwonsa on June 6 every year wishing for world peace and the reunification of North and South Korea. It was designated as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2009. During Yeongsanjae, visitors can enjoy the Buddhist arts such as Beompae (Buddhist temple music for rituals) and dancing. Also, during summertime, Seoul Lotus Flower Culture Festival takes place, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lotus flowers which are a symbol of Buddhism.

⊙ PETERPAN 1978 (피터팬1978)

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Visit site

◎ Travel information to meet Hallyu’s charm – “BLACKPINK’s Favorite Spots”

Jennie found it on YouTube during her bread tour in Yeonhui-dong. Since opening in 1978, it has been in the same place for over 40 years. There are many delicious breads such as the signature bread “Baby Buttocks” and “Sweet Red Bean Bread 1978,” which has kept the same flavor since 1978. There are many breads that give off a deep flavor when you take a bite, but the “Potato Bread” recommended by JENNIE is particularly savory for its fluffy texture.

⊙ Supsok Hanbang Land (숲속한방랜드)

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Jjimjjilbang, a Korean-style sauna that combines a traditional bathhouse with a hot steam room, is often ranked high among the unique experiences in Korea chosen by foreigners. Taking a steam bath in a charcoal kiln discharges waste products from the skin through sweat and eliminates accumulated fatigue. Supsok Hanbang Land has several charcoal kilns for different temperatures. Using them in order from low to high-temperature rooms is good, but the highest-temperature room, “Kkottang,” has a risk of causing skinburn, so visitors are advised to wear socks and cotton gloves to enter the room. Another unique experience is to grill sweet potatoes or rice cakes on the brazier in front of the charcoal kiln.

⊙ Korea Etiquette Institute (한국예절문화원)

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– Homepage
www.etiquette.or.kr: Visit site

Korea Etiquette Institue is dedicated to observing, researching, developing and passing down Korea’s etiquette. Education programs are also available.

⊙ National Memorial of Korean Provisional Government (국립대한민국임시정부기념관)

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– Homepage
www.nmkpg.go.kr: Visit site

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 Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

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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.

⊙ Seodaemun Prison History Museum (서대문형무소역사관)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
sphh.sscmc.or.kr: Visit site

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.

⊙ Dongnimmun Gate (독립문)

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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.

Seodaemun Museum of Natural History (서대문자연사박물관)