Topgol Park

Historical Site No. 354 (designated on Oct. 25, 1991)
Location : 38, Jongno 2-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Subway Line3 "Jongno 3-ga:" Station
Admission : Open all year / free admission

Tapgol Park is the first park made in the Wongaksa Temple site in the reign of King Gojong. It's been called, "Tapgol Park," only recently, and it used to be called, "Pagoda Park," for it has a pagoda inside the park. The largest anti-Japanese movement of the Korean people, the March 1st Resistance Movement, under the rule of Japanese imperialism, started here. The ten-storey Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple Site is the latest one among the stone pagodas designated as the national treasure of Korea, and it is considered as the best among all stone pagodas made during the Joseon period for its unique shape and plane as well as the splendid and gorgeous techniques. Recently it has become popular as a place to relax among senior citizens, and it is the place where the elderly tell the young the old stories and fortunetellers tell your fortunes for free

Samcheongdong

Samcheongdong Walkway

Address
Seoul-si Jongno-gu, Junghak-dong, 38-1

Introduction

Samcheongdong Walkway stretches from Gyeongbokgung Palace to Samcheong Tunnel. Samcheong Park, which is located at the end of Samcheongdong Walkway, is famous for its thick forest and splendid views. Located in the middle of the city, this area is quite peaceful. Also, the galleries and cafes on both sides of Samcheongdong Walkway attract many artists here.

Samcheongdong-gil is lined with famous art galleries including Gallery Hyundai, Geumho Gallery, Growrich Gallery, Artsonje Center, Gallery Hak Go Jae (another name for Art Space Seoul), Geum San Gallery, Gukje Gallery, Gallery Ihn and others. Also here is the fine temple Beopnyeonsa, Lee Rhee-za Korean Costume Exhibition Hall, the French Cultural Center, Jeong Dok Library, and various cafes and restaurants.

Since each art gallery building on Samcheongdong-gil has a unique architectural design, appreciating the buildings themselves can be a nice experience.

Many have their own cafes, restaurants, or craft shops, so you can enjoy the paintings, some shopping, and lunch all under one quaint roof.


Closed
None

Operating Hours
24 hrs

Admission Fees
Free

Local Transportation

1. From exit 2 of Gwanghwamun station (Seoul Subway Line 5), take local bus No. 11 and get off at Samcheong Police Office.
2. From exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Palace station (Seoul Subway Line 3), walk 10-15 min along the stone wall of Gyeongbokgung Palace to the starting point of Samcheongdong Walkway. There is a sign there.

Doeksugung (Palace)

Location : 5-1, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
Subway Line2 "City Hall" Station
Opening Hours :
Mar. to Oct.: 9 am ~ 6 pm
Nov. to Feb.: 9 am ~ 5:30 pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Admission Fee :
Adults: 1,000 Won
Children: 500 Won
Inquires : (82-2) 771-9949
http://www.deoksugung.go.kr/

This building was the mansion of the Royal Prince Wolsan, elder brother of King Seonjong. It was used as a palace by King Seonjo temporarily after he returned to the capital in 1953. It was initially called the Jeongneungdong Haenggung (temporary palace), but its title was changed to Gyeongungung (palace) in 1611, in the 3rd year of the reign of King Gwnghaegun. It was left empty and idle for around 200 years after the King moved to Changdeokgung in 1615, during the 7th year of the reign of King Gwnghaegun. It was to be used again as a palace by King Gojong in 1897, when he returned from Russian legation. It became the arena of the checkered history of the Korean Empire up until 1907, when Emperor Gojong was dethroned. After he was dethroned, however, he continued to live in Gyeongungung. It was at that time that it began being known as Deoksugung. There are a number o