Seodaemun-gu

Seoul

Seodaemun-gu
Seodaemun-gu
Seodaemun-gu
Seodaemun-gu
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 Seoul Station

Shilla Stay Seodaemun Seoul Station

4 out of 5
76, Chungjeong-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P5,410 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P5,410
P5,951 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,658 reviews)
good!
"good!"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Shilla Stay Seodaemun Seoul Station
Swiss Grand Hotel

Swiss Grand Hotel

5 out of 5
353 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, ICN
The price is P7,653 per night from Aug 13 to Aug 14
P7,653
P9,260 total
Aug 13 - Aug 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Popular attractions Gyeongbokgung Palace and Namdaemun ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (787 reviews)
"I like the space and room plan. I would have rated this a five star if not for the the cost of WIFI. You have to pay for the use of WIFI. Although a little bit dated, the room was clean and towels were provided every day."

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025

Swiss Grand Hotel
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P7,379 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P7,379
P8,117 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,620 reviews)
"Overall it was great! I was a bit disappointed when we first arrived because the place was small and little walking space and the carpet inside the room is old. But the staff were just amazing and gave us great service. The sheets and bedding were so luxurious feeling which made up for some of the ..."

Reviewed on Aug 9, 2025

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun

4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P8,754 per night from Aug 13 to Aug 14
P8,754
P9,629 total
Aug 13 - Aug 14
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,842 reviews)
"Loved our stay here. Very helpful staff, the pool was nice though the hot-tub was tepid at best. Gym was nice to have, laundry was great, room was huge and super clean, all the staff was super helpful."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
Fairfield by Marriott Seoul

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul

4 out of 5
870, GYEONGIN-RO YEONGDEUNGPO-GU, Seoul
The price is P4,174 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
P4,174
P4,592 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Good service by the staff to assign room away from construction noise. Good location for food and transport to malls and airport."

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2025

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul
The Shilla Seoul

The Shilla Seoul

5 out of 5
249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is P18,039 per night from Aug 19 to Aug 20
P18,039
P19,843 total
Aug 19 - Aug 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"This is a beautiful property with exceptionally friendly staff and excellent food. The location is perfect, very convenient and easy to get around. We truly enjoyed our stay and would love to come back again!"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

The Shilla 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 featuring street scenes, signage and outdoor art

Hongdae

Spend some time visiting places like Hongdae Street while getting to know Hongdae, and be sure to check out the abundant dining options. You can hop aboard the metro at Hongik University Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Hongdae
Default Image

Mapo-gu

5/5(5 area reviews)

Travelers choose Mapo-gu for its abundant dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Mapo-gu Office Station or Mangwon Station and check out top sights like Mangwon Market.

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

Sogong-dong

Visitors to Sogong-dong love its popular shops, and you can check out Namdaemun Market and Seoul Museum of Art. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at City Hall Station.

Sogong-dong
Gwangjang Traditional Market showing signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(13 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 which includes shopping as well as a small group of people

Insa-dong

Travelers come to Insa-dong for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Insa-dong and Cheonggyecheon while you're in town.

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

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