Seodaemun-gu Travel Guide

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 Rp1.335.793 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
Rp1.335.793
Rp1.469.372 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,669 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 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 Rp2.207.734 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
Rp2.207.734
Rp2.671.357 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. 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 12 Jun 2025

Swiss Grand Hotel
LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

LOTTE City Hotel Myeongdong

4 out of 5
362, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.128.940 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp2.128.940
Rp2.341.834 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a health club. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,597 reviews)
Great hotel
"Perfect location, accessible to myeongdong night market and other attractions. Clean hotel, Very comfortable bed. Friendly and very accommodating staff. Excellent customer service. Highly recommended!"

Reviewed on 3 Aug 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 Rp2.748.454 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
Rp2.748.454
Rp3.023.299 total
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,841 reviews)
"Lots of nearby restaurants, extremely convenient location. Staff was extremely helpful, 10/10 recommend."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 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 Rp1.258.014 per night from 20 Aug to 21 Aug
Rp1.258.014
Rp1.383.816 total
20 Aug - 21 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,005 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 22 Jul 2025

Fairfield by Marriott Seoul
Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong

4 out of 5
15, Namdaemun-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul
The price is Rp1.505.311 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
Rp1.505.311
Rp1.655.842 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seoul. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,659 reviews)
"Property centrally located and accessible by metro. It was quiet and pleasant but breakfast options are limited."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Sotetsu Hotels The Splaisir Seoul Myeongdong
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 Hongdae Street, and catch the metro at Hongik University Station or Mangwon Station to see more of the area.

Hongdae
Default Image

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 Travel Guide