Seodaemun-gu

Seoul
Seodaemun-gu
Discover the place where the Great West Gate of Hanyang once stood in what is now a surprisingly diverse outer suburb of Seoul.

Seodaemun-gu, just northwest of the Seoul city center, shows you a very different side of modern, bustling Seoul. Visit the natural history museum, a historic prison, the Bongwon Temple and the oldest train station in Seoul. Get some downtime by a babbling stream and on a forest-clad mountain.

Seodaemun means “Great West Gate” in Korean. This “gu” (district) was once home to one of the gates of the walled Joseon capital of Hanyang. Today, Seodaemun District is a pleasant residential area with a wide range of heritage attractions and leisure activities.

While Seodaemun is the name of a station on subway line 5, head for the Hongje station or Dongnimmun station instead to see the main sights.

Seodaemun-gu is home to Mount Ansan. Standing just 967 feet (295 meters) tall and with trees providing ample shade, it’s a nice place to go for a hike. You’ll be joining the locals, who regularly exercise here among the wild flowers, pine trees and cherry blossom trees. A track called Jarak-gil loops around the mountain and offers different views of Seoul on every turn. Take in the sea of skyscrapers, which stretches as far as the eye can see. Once at the summit, stand by the stone Ansan Beacon Mound to see Seoul Tower on Namsan Mountain.

Don’t miss the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History, just to the west, and the Bongwon Buddhist Temple with a lotus garden on the mountain’s southern slope.

Hongjecheon Stream, a tributary of the Hangang River, flows through the neighborhood and is best reached from Hongje station. Admire its musical fountain and waterfall and follow its walking paths.

Seodaemun Independence Park, built on the former Seoul Gochiso (Detention Camp), is home to the towering Dongnimmun (Independence) Gate. Next door, visit the Seodaemun Prison History Hall to learn more about the Japanese Colonial Era.

For something more uplifting, go fashion shopping in the streets surrounding the old Sinchon Railway Station, Seoul’s first train station.This is also the area of Seodaemun-gu where you’ll find the more trendy cafés, attracting the students of the Ehwa Women’s University.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Seodaemun-gu

Shilla Stay Seodaemun
Shilla Stay Seodaemun
4 out of 5
76, Chungjeong-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is S$187 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
S$187
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,594 reviews)
"The location is very convenient."

Reviewed on 24 Mar,2024

Shilla Stay Seodaemun
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is S$360 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
S$360
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
"Our stay at the Grand Hyatt Seoul was amazing! The entire staff was incredibly hospitable, friendly, helpful, and kind. The hotel was spotless and the rooms were equipped with high-end amenities. Our stay felt truly luxurious."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Grand Hyatt Seoul
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is S$205 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$205
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a children's pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,912 reviews)
"It’s a very nice hotel, nicer than others we stayed at in Seoul. The location is closer to “business” areas so less convenient to tourist areas, but I would recommend it for the price and cleanliness."

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
Lotte Hotel World
Lotte Hotel World
5 out of 5
240, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is S$310 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
S$310
per night
17 Apr - 18 Apr
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free parking, 2 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,011 reviews)
"Clean, Excellent Staff & Service. Shopping."

Reviewed on 26 Mar,2024

Lotte Hotel World
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is S$253 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
S$253
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,678 reviews)
"Great value. Specially very well trained staffs with a smile"

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
Lotte Hotel Seoul
Lotte Hotel Seoul
5 out of 5
30, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is S$460 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
S$460
per night
19 Apr - 20 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,363 reviews)
"All staffs are so nice and kind."

Reviewed on 25 Mar,2024

Lotte Hotel Seoul
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Seodaemun-gu

Hongdae which includes outdoor art, street scenes and a city

Hongdae

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Hongdae. Spend some time visiting top spots like Trickeye Museum, and catch the metro at Hongik University Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Hongdae
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Mapo-gu

4.5/5(94 area reviews)

Spend some time visiting places like Mangwon Market while getting to know Mapo-gu, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Mapo-gu Office Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Mapo-gu
Deoksugung Palace showing a garden as well as a small group of people

Sogong-dong

Sogong-dong is popular for its popular shops. Explore top sights like Namdaemun Market and Seoul Museum of Art, and you can get around town on the metro at City Hall Station.

Sogong-dong
Gwangjang Traditional Market which includes signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(86 area reviews)

Jongno-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Sejong Cultural Center and National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. See more of Seoul by jumping on the metro at Gwanghwamun Station or Jonggak Station.

Jongno-gu
Insadong showing shopping as well as a small group of people

Insa-dong

Insa-dong is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Insa-dong and Cheonggyecheon while in the area.

Insa-dong
Namdaemun Market which includes a city, street scenes and markets

Hoehyeon-dong

While you're in Hoehyeon-dong, take in top sights like Namdaemun Market and jump on the metro at Hoehyeon Station to see more of the city.

Hoehyeon-dong


Seodaemun-gu