Seoul(Yongsan-gu)

Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine is located on the small hill just five minutes away from Yongsan Eletronics Market. 10 Catholics were martyred on this hill during the Gihae Persecution in 1839 including Choi Gyeong-hwan (Francis)'s wife Lee Seong-rye (Maria). Nine of the 10 martyrs are now recognized as saints. Lee Seong-rye, the mother of Father Thomas Choi Yang-eop (Korea's second ordained priest), has not yet been canonized although she did suffer martyrdom. The reason was that the mother briefly put aside her faith because of the pressures of raising five children after she had her oldest son Thomas. However, the difficulty of combining these two interests was eventually overcome and she died a martyr. Aside from serving as a memorial site, Danggogae Catholic Martyrs' Shrine also offers a commanding view of Seoul. Nearby tourist attractions include Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs, which is a Catholic church with Korean architecture, and Yongsan Family Park.  


Seoul(Jungnang-gu)

Mangusan Mountain spans across Mangu-dong and Myeonmok-dong of Seoul, and Guri-si of Gyeonggi-do. It is 281.7 meters above sea level. Located on the mountain is Mangu Cemetery, which was designated as public cemetery in 1933. Since its designation, many popular people have been buried here including children’s literature author Bang Jeong-hwan (penname: Sopa), independence activists Oh Se-chang and Han Yong-un, and Ji Seok-young who pioneered the use of the smallpox vaccination in Korea and was also a Korean linguist. In addition, tombstones bearing chronological listings of seven popular poets and one educator were installed at the park, making the cemetery a venue for historical education. The poets includes Park In-hwan, Mun Il-pyeong, Seo Byeong-ho, Seo Ong-il, Oh Jae-young, Seo Gwang-jo, and Yu Sang-gyu and the educator is O Geung-seon. The park also has Sin Gyeong-jin Sindobi, a cultural asset designated as Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 95. It is a monument of Sin Gyeong-jin, an official scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Also in the park is a 5.2km long circular road. It was named the “Thinking path”. The name was selected as a public competition held in May 1998. There are other facilities including the urban environment and nature observation road, a wooden gazebo, and a mineral-water spring. Thanks to the well managed trees and clean air, the park is visited by many citizens who are seeking for place to rest in a natural park.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Daejojeon Hall was the queen’s residence at Changdeokgung Palace. Originally built in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty), the hall had been destroyed by fires multiple times since then. The current structure is the one rebuilt in 1920 with materials taken from Gyotaejeon Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace after being burnt down in 1917. Daejeojeon is differentiated from other palace buildings in that it has no ridge on the roof. The center bedroom is surrounded by small-sized rooms for court ladies to attend to the king and the queen.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

The National Hangeul Museum showcases the history and value of Korean orthography, Korean’s most-valued cultural asset, through exhibitions, activities, and education. Occupying over 11,322㎡, the museum has one basement level and three ground levels, along with an outdoor grass field and resting area perfect for cultural events, exhibits, and education. The museum is comprised of the Hangeulnuri (library) on the first floor, a permanent exhibition hall and Areumnuri (Korean cultural item store/tea house) on the second floor, and then a planned exhibition hall and a Hangeul playground for children and foreigners on the third floor. * Opening date: October 9, 2014


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Injeongjeon Hall is the main throne hall of Changdeokgung Palace. The hall was used for conducting major state affairs, including the coronation of a new king, assembly of officials, and reception of foreign envoys. The current building was rebuilt in 1804 (4th year of King Sunjo’s reign) and shows the architectural style of the late Joseon Dynasty.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Euljiro・Chungmuro・Namsan

Haepungbuwongu Yun Taek-yeong Daek Jaesil is a house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon Dynasty. He built this house in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located at 224 Jegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored. Additionally, a stone stair of two steps on which flowers were planted was added in front of the shrine. Atop of the house is a tiled, triangle-shaped hip-and-gable roof. Sarangche (men’s quarter) has double-layered eaves, while other eaves are single-layered. Haengrangche (servant’s quarters) has a gabled roof supported with three beams. Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has Anche (women’s quarters) located across from Sarangbang (men’s quarters) with Daecheong (living room) positioned between them.


Seoul(Songpa-gu) , Jamsil(Lotte World)

Opened on April 30, 2012, Seoul Baekje Museum (interchangeably called Hanseong Baekje Museum) was established by the Seoul Government in order to preserve the artifacts related to Seoul's 2,000-year-old history and to shed light on Seoul's cultural identity. The museum is located inside Olympic Park, overlooking Monchontoseong Fortress.


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Insadong・Jongnon

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was built in 1898 by decree of King Gojong’s. It was originally set up close to the northern wall of Hoesangjeon in Gyeonghuigung Palace for archery practice. In 1922 when the Japanese colonial government sold buildings of Gyeonghuigung Palace to the public to build Gyeongseong Middle School in the location, the Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was bought and restored at the current location, which is an old site of Deunggwajeong Pavilion located to the North of Sajik Park. It is relatively large for a pavilion, but the structure is plain and simple. There is a well behind the pavilion to the southwest. A rock behind the well has an engraved poem about eight beautiful scenes of Hwanghakjeong. Located to the right of the pavilion building (northeast of the building) is Hancheongak Pavilion, which has unique roof. To the west of the pavilion is Sauhoegwan Hall that was built with reinforced concrete.


Seoul(Gangdong-gu)

Located next to the Godseok Riverside Restoration Area, the Godeok-dong Ecological Preservation Area is one of the most well-maintained ecological preservation sites in Seoul. Nearby attractions include Godeokjicheon Rier, Amsa Sluice Gate, Hoan, and Hangang River Reservoir Area.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Seoul City Hall・Gwanghwamun

Inhwamun Gate used to be the main gate before the main hall, Junghwajeon Hall, was built. The palace was expanded in 1902, building Junghwajeon Hall, Junghwamun Gate and Jowonmun Gate in order to furnish the sytem of law books. After that, the site for Inhwamun Gate became the site for Geongeukmun Gate, and Daehanmun Gate was built to the east of Jowonmun Gate, using it as the main gate. The gate was rebuilt in 1904 and it was currently moved back due to the expanded road.