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

Founded in 1395 by the first king of the Joseon Dynasty, Gwanghwamun is the main gate of Gyeongbukgung Palace. Roughly meaning “may the light of enlightenment blanket the world,” the name symbolizes the resounding dedication that the people of the Joseon Dynasty had in creating a new dynasty. Constructed solely out of granite, its center is an entrance that resembles a rainbow, called Hongyemun. Above that is a gate tower. Gwanghwamun holds a painful memory in Korean history. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, in order to dampen the spirits of the Korean citizens, the Japanese governing general destroyed the gate and built his own government building. The present appearance of the gate is that of 1968 when it was rebuilt using concrete, and it’s location is about 10m behind the original spot. Though Gwanghwamun is the most beautiful of the five palace gates, it was not designated by the Korean government as a national treasure because it is made purely of concrete. The government is now in the process of removing the Japanese building and restoring the palace. Gwanghwamun has its name written on a sign on the gate, and it was personally written by then-president Park Jeong-Hui. On either side of the gate you can see the word “Haetae” facing south. Haetae is a mythical unicorn-lion that is said to protect palaces from fire. According to Pungsujirisang, there was a fire around Gwanaksan Mountain, so in order to protect the palace from fire from the mountain, these fire-eating Haetaes were put beside the gate.  


Seoul(Jongno-gu) , Samcheongdong・The Northern Part of the Seoul

Opened in April 2004, Donglim Knot Museum has on exhibit a variety of decorative traditional Korean maedeup (knots): norigae for hanbok, belts, pouches, as well as materials like thread, cord, and accessories. Housed in a hanok, a traditional Korean house, the gallery has a variety of exhibits, including old and new artwork, and creations that reflect modern trends.The museum also operates a maedeup class taught by an apprentice of museum curator Sim Yeong-mi. Lessons are available in a one-day program as well as in a long-term program. To participate, call (+82-2-3673-2778, Korean) at least two days in advance. The classes operate from 10am to 6pm and have a maximum capacity of 12 people. The museum is closed on Mondays. Instructions are given only in Korean, so foreigners are advised to come with a local guide. 


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

The Gangbyeon branch is the first Lotte Mart supermarket. It is located inside Technomart, the electronics superstore, which also houses an 11- cinema CGV movie theater, a large bookstore, a food court, and other convenience facilities. Lotte Mart Gangbyeon branch sells groceries, daily essentials, and entertainment and home interior products. The store is located on the second floor basement of the Technomart building, and is open from 09:00 to 24:00.


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Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

Etude House is a cosmetics brand that sells makeup, hair, and fragrance products. The Etude House Myeongdong Chungmuro Branch, located in the heart of a major shopping district, carries a wide selection of cosmetics that customers may test before purchasing. Moreover, the brightly lit store interior, designed with a princess bedroom decor, adds fun to the experience. Also, customers can test samples before purchasing the products. It is visited largely by foreign customers from Japan, Thailand, China and other East Asian countries. Its most popular items include makeup and eyelash lengthening products, as well as creams made with pearls.


Seoul(Seongdong-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

A quick walk from exit 4 of Seongsu Station, visitors in Seongsu-dong will be able to find Union Star Bowling Club. Located on the basement of a red-brick building, the venue is often visited by a number of Hallyu stars including Kim Soo-hyun (who was recently on Infinity Challenge to test his bowling skills), G-Dragon and the members of former girl-group 2NE1. Bowling pins signed by the Hallyu stars are proudly displayed throughout the venue. A unique aspect of Union Star Bowling Club is that it is divided into two floors. The first basement floor is Rock Bowling Alley featuring ten lanes. Dimly lit with pink and blue florescent lights, it functions as a bowling-pub serving a wide selection of domestic and imported beer. Club music gets the energy going while darts and video games are available for those waiting for their turn. The second basement floor is General Bowling Alley offering twelve lanes. Opening from 11am, the whole floor is brightly lit and modestly decorated. Visitors to the Union Star Bowling Club should ask about the Red Pin Game event: anyone who scores a strike when a red pin appears as the head pin will receive a free bottle of beer.  


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Apgujeong・Cheongdamdong

BuonaSera is a new well-being restaurant serving authentic Italian food, embodying the harmonization of both modern and classical cultures, fashion, and art of Italy. The restaurant was set up with the assistance of Italy's best food/restaurant/brand specialists and serves high-grade food cooked by Chef Paolo de Maria and Korea's Italian cuisine specialists. BuonaSera provides a small community expressing an Italian way of life, rather than a typical restaurant with great food and service.


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Daehangno・Seongbukdong

Nestled in a tranquil neighborhood, the Gansong Art Museum, which stretches over 4,000 pyeong (13,223 square meters), is a respite from the bustling city streets. Bahwagak, the main building, is home to a number of some of the rarest Korean antiquities. This collection of national treasures is the lifelong work of founder, Jeon Hyeong-pil.This art museum holds some of the oldest paintings in Korea. The museum only opens its doors to the public for two weeks in May and October and has done so every year since its opening in October 1971. The Gansong Art Museum’s collections are highly regarded for their high quality and artistic caliber.The Gansong Art Museum is located at 2nd Level of Design Exhibition Hall of Dongdaemun Design Plaza. The Kansong art exhibition will be on display at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).


Seoul(Jung-gu) , Myeongdong

The city of Cheonan is famous for hodu-gwaja as the region has long been a major producer of hodu (walnut). The origin of hodu-gwaja can be traced back to when bread and baking was first introduced to Korea. From then on, hodu-gwaja became a popular tasty treat that is often bought as a present by those visiting Cheonan. This sweet snack is generally shaped like a walnut, with a sweet red bean filling and either a whole or half walnut inside. However, Cheonan Yennal Hodu-gwaja makes their hodu-gwaja in a slightly different way. Their 60-year-old recipe uses domestically processed wheat flour and peeled white beans for a smoother texture. Cheonan Yennal Hodu-gwaja's direct management store in Myeong-dong offers great treats for everyone without having to travel to Cheonan.  


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

The T Mark Hotel located in Myeongdong is a premier business hotel with 14 above-ground floors and 4 basement floors. The hotel has 288 guest rooms, which include 60 double, 176 twin and 49 triple rooms. Every guest room has a 32-inch LED smart TV, bathtub, bidet and wired/wireless high-speed internet. The hotel also houses an Italian restaurant, and a rooftop garden. It also provides a shuttle bus service to famous tourist attractions like Namdaemun Gate, Myeongdong, and Seoul Station. The letter T of the hotel name represents the first letter of the words Tourist and Traveler. The premier business hotel which is located adjacent to many tourist spots such as N Seoul Tower, Namsangol Hanok Village, Dongdaemun Gate and Insa-dong, aims to offer the best service at a reasonable price.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

K-Pop Residence Chungmuro is located at the heart of Korean pop and cinema culture in Chungmuro, Seoul. The hotel strives to provide all the comforts of home as a pleasant place for relaxation to national and international tourists and business travelers alike. It is three minutes’ walk from Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station, Exit 8 and five minutes from Chungmuro Station, Exit 7. As the hotel’s staffs are proficient in various foreign languages including English, Japanese, and Chinese, the hotel provides convenient services for foreign guests too. The hotel also provides numerous reservation services such as restaurants, attractions, destinations, tour packages, tour guides, taxi, and international delivery.