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


Seodaemun-gu Hotel Deals

Shilla Stay Seodaemun Seoul Station
Shilla Stay Seodaemun Seoul Station
4 out of 5
76, Chungjeong-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is CA $151 per night from May 7 to May 8
CA $151
CA $166 total
includes taxes & fees
May 7 - May 8
Stay at this hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,584 reviews)
"Good location - subway exit is right outside the hotel"

Reviewed on Apr. 28, 2024

Shilla Stay Seodaemun Seoul Station
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
4 out of 5
36, Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is CA $137 per night from May 6 to May 7
CA $137
CA $150 total
includes taxes & fees
May 6 - May 7
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,987 reviews)
"The elevator speed was way too slow so that you are wasting lots of time for waiting."

Reviewed on Apr. 30, 2024

ENA Suite Hotel Namdaemun
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is CA $153 per night from May 6 to May 7
CA $153
CA $168 total
includes taxes & fees
May 6 - May 7
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,745 reviews)
"Q"

Reviewed on May 3, 2024

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong
The Shilla Seoul
The Shilla Seoul
5 out of 5
249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
The price is CA $402 per night from May 7 to May 8
CA $402
CA $442 total
includes taxes & fees
May 7 - May 8
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"Great room and breakfast"

Reviewed on Apr. 30, 2024

The Shilla Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
Grand Hyatt Seoul
5 out of 5
322, Sowol-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is CA $417 per night from May 8 to May 9
CA $417
CA $505 total
includes taxes & fees
May 8 - May 9
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"The staff were truly fantastic in helping us with every query and ensuring that our stay was enjoyable. The rooms were lovely, spacious and comfortable with phenomenal views"

Reviewed on Apr. 27, 2024

Grand Hyatt Seoul
Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo
Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo
3 out of 5
293, Singil-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Fully refundable
The price is CA $82 per night from May 15 to May 16
CA $82
CA $91 total
includes taxes & fees
May 15 - May 16
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,004 reviews)
"Like everything about hotel except it could do with a little more space for wardrobe"

Reviewed on Apr. 26, 2024

Toyoko Inn Seoul Yeongdeungpo
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

Shinchon showing signage

Sinchon-dong

Travelers choose Sinchon-dong for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Sinchon Station or Ewha Woman's University Station and check out top sights like Yonsei University Museum.

Sinchon-dong
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

4.5/5(30 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
Gwangjang Traditional Market featuring signage

Jongno-gu

4.5/5(81 area reviews)

Jongno-gu is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung Palace. 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

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