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 P7,086 per night from 7 Apr to 8 Apr
P7,086
per night
7 Apr - 8 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 Mar 24, 2024

Shilla Stay Seodaemun
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is P12,401 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
P12,401
per night
11 Apr - 12 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! (1,008 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 Mar 25, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P7,759 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
P7,759
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! (1,904 reviews)
"Ena Hotel is conveniently located for shopping, dining snd public transportation. The hotel staff are very professional, courteous and very helpful. Hotel is very clean and room I stayed was spacious. I arrived at around 7:30pm with my Aunt, however, there was no one yo assist us yo carry put 5 luggage ..."

Reviewed on Mar 23, 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 P10,692 per night from 17 Apr to 18 Apr
P10,692
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! (1,009 reviews)
"The wonder door gate staff was very rude. I complained to hotel but they said the staff was from Lotte world. Except that part, I would stay again even it’s expensive."

Reviewed on Mar 18, 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 P9,587 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
P9,587
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! (1,673 reviews)
"there was some weird sounds like from outside or inside i dont know…its like machine turn on in the middle of the night..woke me up…checked nth then back to sleep."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 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 P15,423 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
P15,423
per night
28 Apr - 29 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 Mar 25, 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 street scenes, outdoor art and signage

Hongdae

Spend some time visiting places like Trickeye Museum 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
Seoul World Cup Stadium

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 featuring 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 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