Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

Hyanggyo refers to the educational institutions of the Joseon Dynasty. Much like the national junior and high schools of today, a hyanggyo is where the children of local officials were educated and where ritual services were held in memory of Confucius. The Yangcheon Hyanggyo Confucian School is the only such school in Seoul. Built in the 12th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1411), the school was entirely renovated in 1981. There are eight buildings in the premise, including the Daeseongjeon, Myeongryundang, Jeonsacheong, Dongjae, Seojae, Naesammun, and Waesammun. Today, a national ritual service for Confucius is held here twice a year: one in the spring and one in the fall. Also, various programs are offered to teach Chinese characters, calligraphy, or Oriental painting to regular citizens, as well as elementary, junior, and high school students. This way, the institution is educating the youth and preserving tradition at the same time.Size of facilities: Daeseongjeon 54㎡, Myeongryundang 77.91㎡, Jeonsacheong 11.52㎡, Naesammun 11.97㎡, Oesammun 18.63㎡, Dongjae 29.52㎡, Seojae 29.52㎡Construction period: 12th year of King Taejong’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty (1411)


Seoul(Gangdong-gu)

The sandbanks, willow trees, and lush forest that can be found at Godeok Riverside Ecological Park are some things that people won't usually find in today's urban ecosystem. Located in the upper region of the Hangang River and next to the Godeok-dong Eco-scape Preservation Area, the park functions as a space for nature and wetland ecology exploration.Godeok Riverside Ecological Park was established as part of the Hangang River Renaissance Project, a comprehensive project that aims to transform the riverside areas into recreational spaces.


Seoul(Gangseo-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

When the fate of the nation was hanging by a thread as the North Korean Army launched an invasion of the South on June 25, 1950, about 1,100 officers and men from the South Korean First Division's 11th, 12th, and 15th regiment retreated to Gimpo and built the last line of defense on Gaehwasan Mountain from June 26 to 30 to fight against a large army of North Korean soldiers disguised as South Korean men.Unfortunately, their communication with the headquarters was cut off and their supply of ammunition and food ran out. As a result, the entire South Korean force was killed by the much larger North Korean army in a valley around Gaehwasan Mountain. In order to commemorate those who died for the country, the government established the Memorial to the Loyal Dead on Gaehwasan Mountain in 1994. A memorial service is also held here annualy on June 28th.x_height: 4.7 meters highBuilt by the First Division of the ROK Army, Mitasa Temple


Seoul(Gangdong-gu)

Gildong Ecological Park was built by the Seoul Government by restoring the wetland on the roadside of Cheonho-daero. The park maintains and preserves a wide range of flora and fauna in their natural habitats, allowing park visitors to observe plants, animals and insects in a natural ecosystem, and to learn about the importance of nature conservation.


Seoul(Gangbuk-gu)

The valley between Bukhansan Mountain and Donbongsan Mountain is called "Uidong Valley." It earned the name "Uidong" because the two peaks of Bukhansan Mountain, Baegundae and Insubong, look like cow's ears. One of the trails leading up to Bukhansan Mountain and Dobongsan Mountain also starts here.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Located in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Zaha Museum is the highest art gallery in Seoul. Reaching the museum involves a bit of an uphill walk, but the breathtaking scenery that includes Bugaksan and Inwangsan makes it worth the effort. Opened on March 1, 2008, the two-storey museum exhibits experimental works of young artists. There are two exhibition halls and the small garden on the second floor has a great view of the mountains.


Seoul(Gangbuk-gu)

Odong Neighborhood Park is located in an area across Beon-dong and Mia-dong in Gangbuk-gu and Wolgok-dong in Seongbuk-gu. The park is large in size and has a dense forests with various facilities like a resting area, a community sports center, a lawn, a tennis court, an acupressure trail with red clay, a walking path, and much more. Residents visit the place as a resting area and recreation area due to various facilities. * Area: 684,366.4㎡ (about 207,021 pyeong) * Main species - Pine trees, azaleas, oak trees - Flowering plant: Iyreflower, bird’s eye, iris, a lily of the valley, etc.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

Situated in the northeast of Hanyang (the former name of Seoul), Hyehwamun Gate was one of four small gates in the city’s fortress walls. When the gate was first built in 1396 (the 5th year of King Taejo's reign) during the establishment of the city, it was initially called Honghwamun. Unfortunately, the name happened to be the same as the east gate of Changgyeonggung Palace built in 1483 (during the 4th year of King Seongjong’s reign) so it was subsequently changed to Hyehwamun Gate in 1511 (during the sixth year of King Jungjong’s reign) to avoid confusion. The gate is also known as Dongsomun Gate (East Small Gate). Hyehwamun Gate was an important gate for people moving toward the north of the country, since the gate to the north, Sukjeongmun Gate, was often closed. Hyehwamun Gate was destroyed when a street car line was built between Hyehwa-dong and Donam-dong during the Japanese Colonial Period, but was restored in 1992 and placed on a hill next to the road. Visitors can find the gate via Sajik Tunnel, Inwangsan Mountain, Bukaksan Mountain, Changdeokgung Palace, and Sungkyunkwan University; it intersects with the road going toward Uijeongbu. Inside Hyehwa-dong is the bustling Hyehwa-dong University Street; visitors can see Bukaksan and Bukak Pavilion to the west of Hyehwamun Gate.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

During the Gihae Persecution of 1839, three French Catholic priests were sentenced to death for spreading Catholicism in Korea. Saint Laurent Joseph Marius Imbert (Bishop), Saint Pierre Philibert Maubant (Priest), and Saint Jacques Honore Chastan (Priest) were beheaded on September 21, 1839 at Saenamteo (currently Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs) and their bodies were buried at Samseongsan Mountain and later transferred to the grotto of Myeondong Cathedral.


Seoul(Dongjak-gu)

Hyosajeong Pavilion is where Nohan, the second Vice Premier of the Joseon Dynasty during King Sejong and King Sejo’s reign, stayed. After he lost his mother, he built the pavilion to mourn at her grave while still being able to see his father’s grave in Gaeseong to the North. His brother-in-law, then Minister of the Interior, Gang Sa-deok named the pavilion “Hyosajeong,” which means pavilion of filial piety. In order to find the original location of the pavilion, poems by Jeong Inji and Seo Geojeong and an old map of Korea “Sin-jeung-dong-gunk-nyeo-ji-seung-nam” were referenced, but the pavillion was not found because the surrounding landscapes had changed much. As a result, a location was selected and the pavilion was reconstructed at its current location. The house is 3 kan* in the front and 2 kan* on the side. The roof is a hip-and-gable roof. The pavilion has one room with under floor heating and a railing around the pavilion (*Kan: a traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)