Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)

The Seosomun Gate area, which is located outside Seosomun Gate, was used as a persecution site in the 19th century before it turned into the local park of today. Many Catholics were suppressed and martyred here, making the area a holy site for Korean Catholics. Seosomun Gate was a gateway to Chilpae Market located near Namdaemun Gate. It was always busy with passerbys and the persecution site was established outside the gate to set an example of crime punishment to all the witnesses.

On May 15, 1999, a memorial tower was raised at the center of the park in honor of the martyrs. In 2013, Seoul’s Jung-gu district also founded Seosumun Holy Shrine History Museum with a memorial exhibition hall in their honor.

– Address : 5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
– Information and Guides
+82-2-3396-5852

– Parking
Available

– Day Off
N/A (Open all year round)

– Film Locations
Drama “A Word from Warm Heart (2013)”

– Available Facilities
Memorial hall, library, seminar room, gift shop, cafe, history museum, clock tower, etc.

– Admission Fees
Free

– Restrooms
Available

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Seoul Namdaemun (라마다 호텔앤스위트 서울남대문)

– Homepage
http://www.seanhotelgroup.com/hotels/ramada-namdaemun

– Tel
+82-2-775-7000

Ramada Hotel and Suites Namdaemun in Jung-gu, in the heart of Seoul,is famousd of for foreigner tourists and vacationers. Transport is convenient, with Seoul Station and City Hall Subway Station close by. Major Seoul tourist attractions such as Namdaemun Market, Myeong-dong, Gwanghwamun, and Deoksugung Palace are easily reachable on foot. A range of room types are offered, and additional facilities include a business center, restaurants, cafes, and an underground shopping mall. Dogs are allowed in rooms, but an extra cleaning fee is payable.

⊙ Korea Samgyetang (고려삼계탕)

– Homepage
<a href=”http://www.krsamgyetang.com” target=”_blank”>www.krsamgyetang.com</a>

– Tel
+82-2-752-9376

Located near City Hall Station, Korea Samgyetang specializes in samgyetang. Samgyetang is a traditional healthy dish made by simmering cleaned young chicken in a broth with ginseng, jujube, and glutinous rice. The light and tender texture of the stewed chicken and the ginseng-flavored glutinous rice porridge is excellent. Ogolgye tang (silkie chicken soup) and jeonbok samgye tang (abalone and ginseng chicken soup) are also favorites among patrons. This restaurant was selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul in 2023.

⊙ Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum (배재학당 역사 박물관)

– Homepage
appenzeller.pcu.ac.kr

– Tel
+82-2-319-5578

The Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum is dedicated to Henry Gerhart Appenzeller, the missionary who opened the first Western-style educational institution in Korea in 1885. The school started with English and core subjects, but expanded into the Pai Chai University, Pai Chai High School, and Pai Chai Middle School and has many famous alumni, including Rhee Syng-man. The memorial hall opened in 2008 in the east wing of the original school building, which was built in 1916 and designated as a Seoul Monument. With dynamically arranged permanent exhibitions, annual special exhibitions and special lectures, the museum offers a unique learning experience to visitors and people with an interest in the history of education in Korea.

⊙ Cheongsongok (청송옥)

Cheongsongok is a jangteo gukbap (rice soup) restaurant that opened in 1984. The signature menu is jangteo gukbap, a rice soup with green onions and radishes in beef bone broth. The kimchi served with the gukbap is homemade, known for its spicy flavor and crisp texture. Nearby is Deoksugung Palace, and the Seokjojeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace presents a picturesque landscape harmonized with the garden, making it a popular spot for photography.

⊙ Jinju Hoegwan (진주회관)

– Tel
+82-2-753-5388

Jinju Hoegwan is a renowned kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup) eatery near City Hall Station. Kongguksu is a traditional Korean summer dish made by boiling and grinding soybeans into a creamy broth, served with noodles, offering a refreshing and nutty flavor. Kongguksu is available from March to November. Their staff-recommended menu includes kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice), freshly roasted by the staff, along with kimchi jjigae and samgyeopsal (pork belly).

⊙ Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
www.heritage.go.kr

Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. Passageways for traffic are located at the east and west ends of the gate. Different from the other gates, Sungnyemun Gate’s tablet has its name written vertically.

On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun was destroyed by fire. After a 5-year reconstruction work, the gate was re-opened to the public again on May 4, 2013.

⊙ Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong, Da-dong and Mugyo-dong Special Tourist Zone (명동 남대문 북창동 다동무교동 관광특구)

– Homepage
www.junggu.seoul.kr

– Tel
+82-2-3396-4622

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong and Da-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food.

Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes.

Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods.

Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes.

[Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone]

Areas included: Myeong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul

Area size: 872,809 ㎡
Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.

⊙ Seoul Museum of Art (서울시립미술관(서소문본관))

– Homepage
sema.seoul.go.kr

– Tel
+82-2-2124-8800

The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) is a space for all to meet and experience the joy of art. Located in the center of Jeong-dong, a district that retains traces of Seoul’s modern and contemporary history, the museum integrates the historical facade of the former Supreme Court with modern architecture. In addition to various programs―encompassing exhibitions, educational outreach initiatives, screenings, workshops, performances, and talks, communal spaces including SeMA Cafe, the artbook store, the open space lobby, and the outdoor sculpture park SeMA WALK provide a rich range of ways for visitors to experience art.

⊙ Cheolgil Tteokbokki (철길떡볶이)

Cheolgil Tteokbokki is a famous pilgrimage site for tteokbokki lovers. As the name suggests, it is located next to the railroad (“cheolgil” in Korean) near Chungjeongno Station. There is a wide variety of Korean dishes available, from tteokbokki that will bring back childhood memories to gimbap, deep-fried dishes, and sundae. As the name suggests, it is located next to the railroad near Chungjeongno Station. The restaurant has been in operation for two generations while maintaining its original appearance. The old signboard and exterior have a nostalgic feeling. Unlike tteokbokki in soup, which is currently popular, this tteokbokki with chewy rice cakes is coated well with thick spicy sauce. It’s very delicious when mixed with the restaurant’s deep-fried foods. Visitors are recommended to take the seat outdoors to enjoy the view of the railroad tracks while eating.

Seosomun Historical Park (서소문역사공원)