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Seoul, South Korea
Photo: taylorandayumi, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The districts of Dongdaemun (동대문), Jungnang (중랑), Gwangjin (광진) and Seongdong (성동) are in the east of the city of Seoul. East Seoul is a vibrant and diverse region with a unique blend of traditional Korean culture and modern urban life. This area of the city is known for its rich historical heritage, stunning architecture, and a wide range of attractions and activities. East Seoul is home to several prominent districts, including Dongdaemun-gu, Gwangjin-gu, and Seongdong-gu, each offering its own distinctive character and experiences. Dongdaemun-gu is renowned for its historic Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Market, a hub for fashion and design enthusiasts. Gwangjin-gu boasts beautiful parks, such as the Ttukseom Resort, which provides a serene escape from the bustling city. Seongdong-gu, on the other hand, offers a glimpse into traditional Korean life with its narrow alleyways, historic homes, and local markets.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
A 160-m-high mountain from where there are good views over the city. The mountain together with the surrounding park is a popular place for short hikes. Also worth seeing is the Sasingak Shrine at the southern side of the mountain.
Seoul's own Central Park, at the northern bank of Han. It's composed of five smaller parks, the culture & art park, the natural ecology forest, the natural hands-on experience learning garden, the ecological wetland garden and the Han river waterfront park as well as an outdoor stage and a big playground.
A museum with Korean historical artifacts. The main attraction here is the Donggukjeongun, a set of six books from the 15th century describing how Chinese characters should be pronounced. These were the first such teaching books in Korea.
Memorial hall dedicated to the culturally most important king in Korean history.
일감호
You can enjoy this beautiful lake, Ilgam-ho M-F only 05:00-08:00, because of the students' security. But you can visit here at 05:00-17:00 every weekends.
서울풍물시장
Seoul Pungmul Market is a traditional market which originated from Hwanghakdong market famous for flea market. You can buy and enjoy the traditional and also modern items at here.
수도박물관
There is an exhibition where you can see the growth and development of water supply-related culture and technology. There are also various facilities to experience.
서울상상나라
It is a space where you can experience various experience facilities through children's play.
청계천 박물관
You can see the history and culture of Cheonggyecheon Stream. You can also see how Cheonggyecheon affected human life through the exhibition.
경희대학교
A private research university with campuses in Seoul and Suwon. Founded in 1949, it is widely regarded as one of the best universities in South Korea. Kyung Hee University offers comprehensive education from kindergarten through graduate school.
서울시립대학교
A municipal public university that is famous in South Korea for a very large number of alumni working as national or municipal government officials. UOS is specialized in urban science and has top-tier programs environmental engineering, taxation, transportation engineering, urban planning and design, landscape architecture, and urban administration.
한양대학교
A private research university in Seoul and Ansan (ERICA campus). The university was founded in 1939 as an engineering school, and was the country's first college to offer engineering and architecture programs.
동대문 디자인 플라자
It is a modern landmark with unique curved architecture and exhibitions of art, fashion, and culture. When the lights are on at night, you can enjoy a more fantastic atmosphere.
세종문화회관
Sejong Cultural Center is a representative cultural art space located in Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and art facilities, and exhibitions, and exhibitions, and exhibitions are regular cultural centers.
한양도성
Detailed information and trail guidance on the eastern section of Hanyangdoseong and nearby traditional houses can be found on the Seoul Cultural Heritage website and the blog related to the visit to the city.
서울브루어리 성수
Seoul Brewery is a craft beer brewery located in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, where you can enjoy a variety of homemade beers. It is great to spend quality time with friends or lovers in a hip and comfortable atmosphere
중랑천
Regarding Jungnangcheon Ecology, the ecological tour accompanied by commentators provides program information from environmental groups and Seoul's environmental protection sites.
어린이대공원
Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu. The park was opened in 1973. The park has a zoo, amusement facilities and restaurants. To get there, simply take the subway to Children's Grand Park on line 7. Avoid the weekends as it can get very crowded.
뚝섬 유원지
You can take a walk and have a picnic.
롯데시네마 건대입구점
The movie theater is easily accessible. There is also a food court next to the movie theater.
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first and largest of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace was located at the heart of the newly appointed capital of Seoul (then known as Hanyang) and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces (the others being Gyeonghuigung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace), Gyeongbokgung served as the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
You can rent a bike at Han River Park near Ttukseom and Achasan Mountain and ride along the riverside or enjoy a quiet walk.
전통공예체험관
Located within Bukchon Hanok Village, the Traditional Crafts Experience Center is a place where you can experience traditional crafts firsthand. You can participate in various programs without reservation, and you can experience various things such as making accessories with traditional patterns and Korean paper crafts.
피자힐
An excellent pizzeria. As its name implies, the restaurant has a lovely view of Seoul on top of a hill and prices higher than the hill it sits on. Worth a visit if you hit it big at the nearby casino.
신토불이 떡볶이 본점
Tteokbokki, a Korean dish, is delicious here. It's spicy, so be careful.
이화만두
This is the most famous dumpling restaurant in Gwangjin-gu. It sells out early almost every day, so it's best to get there when it opens.
이이요
A restaurant that serves sashimi, sushi, and rice bowls. There's always a wait, so I recommend getting there early to get on the waiting list and snapping photos at the selfie shop next door.
서북면옥
It specializes in Pyongyang noodles, a North Korean-style cold noodle.
미분당 광진점
A place that sells rice noodles. It feels like a mix between Korea and Japan.
시옹마오
This is an Asian restaurant that you can enjoy comfortably anytime
성수온실
This is a fusion pasta restaurant located near Ttukseom Station, featuring creative menu composition and warm interior. This place is popular with unique menus using Korean ingredients such as steak truffle cream pasta and basil pasta, and is highly willing to revisit due to its reasonable price point and friendly service.
다로베
This place is a hot place in Seongsu-dong, and it is popular to have hot pot pizza and pasta made with fresh ingredients. There are a variety of menus, including Margherita pizza and shrimp pasta, and it is especially praised for the chewy texture of dough and the flavor of cheese.
연어롭다 성수
This place makes and serves food with fresh salmon and ingredients every day.
노모어피자 서울숲점
This place uses patented salt milk dough to eat moist and crispy dough compared to other companies. Most of all, the leftover pizza is frozen and you can enjoy the same quality of taste the next day using an air fryer. This place has appeared on many TV shows.
A Korean-style izakaya serving sake.
A bar where you can enjoy cocktails with live entertainment.
It's a Korean-style bar that serves makgeolli, a Korean liquor, as well as sueyuk and seafood pajeon.
베통 성수
This is a cafe that is famous for its delicious salt bread. Many people line up to buy and eat bread.
마를리
This is a large cake cafe with a size of 140 pyeong.
This place is professional and makes cakes with fresh fruits and top-notch ingredients every day.
자연도 소금빵 in 성수
A salt bread shop in Seongsu that specializes in freshly baked salt bread and reportedly sells thousands of pieces a day.
러프러프
This is a cafe specializing in cheesecake located 5 minutes walk from Seongsu Station.
This place is rich in original cake menus such as strawberry crumble cheesecake and salty caramel cheesecake, and hole cake pre-order is also available.
차일디쉬
This is a Seongsu-dong cafe that offers unique menus such as mango bingsu and salt bread sandwiches.
In particular, raw mango shaved ice is large and fresh, and Jambong Bör sandwich and egg mayo sandwich using salt bread are also popular menus.
The interior of the store is spacious and comfortable, and it is loved by various visitors because it can be accompanied by pets.
새서울
A stylish bar in the Ikseon-dong area offering creative cocktails inspired by Korean flavors. The relaxed yet refined atmosphere makes it popular for evening drinks and late-night conversations.
더그리핀바
An upscale rooftop lounge bar located inside the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. It features city views, classic cocktails, and a polished hotel-bar atmosphere.
장프리고
A well-known cocktail bar specializing in refined, well-balanced classic and signature drinks. The intimate interior and professional bartending attract both locals and visitors.
크래프트루
A casual craft beer bar focusing on Korean and international draft beers. It is a relaxed spot suitable for trying a variety of beers without a formal bar setting.
디.카페
A quiet café near Dongdaemun offering coffee, desserts, and a simple menu. It is suitable for daytime breaks or casual meetings away from crowded shopping areas.
엔드롱
A neighborhood café in Sinseol-dong known for its minimalist interior and specialty coffee. It is popular with locals looking for a calm space during the day.
서순라길 한옥카페
A traditional-style café set in a renovated hanok along Seosulla-gil. Visitors can enjoy drinks in a historic atmosphere that contrasts with nearby modern streets.
former Sheraton
Luxury hotel famous for its casino, swimming pool and seasonal dance parties. Populated with a lively crowd of regular expats.
formerly W Seoul
Trendy boutique hotel in Seoul. Has a good Sunday brunch buffet with two seatings at 11:00 and 13:30.
호텔 컬리넌 왕십리
A landmark in Gwangjin-gu, this residential-style hotel offers the highest level of service.
호텔 더 디자이너스 청량리
Hotel The Designers Cheongnyangni is conveniently located 656 feet from Exit 4 of Cheongnyangni Subway Station (Line 1 and Gyeongui-Jungang Line). This modern hotel houses an in-house restaurant and 80 stylish guest rooms. Free WiFi is available in all areas. Each of the 80 rooms is fitted with a TV with cable channels, a fridge and an electric kettle. Private bathroom has a bath, a shower and a toilet with electronic bidet. Extras include bottled water and a hairdryer. The hotel serves daily complimentary breakfast buffet at the in-house restaurant. The hotel also provides 24-hour front desk services. From the hotel, the lively Dongdaemun shopping district is a 10-minute subway ride west on Line 1. Gyeongdong Market is 0.6 mi west and Hongreung Arboretum is 0.9 mi north of the hotel. Incheon International Airport is an hour’s drive away.
골든 시티 호텔 동대문
Golden City Hotel Dongdaemun offers modern guestrooms with free WiFi and on-site parking. Dongdaemun shopping area is a 25-minute drive, while Myeongdong is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. Each room here is equipped a TV, a fridge and a work desk. The private bathroom features a walk-in shower and a hairdryer Guests can purchase simple necessities at the 24-hour convenience store on the ground floor. Semi-buffet breakfast is served daily at the restaurant on the basement floor.
더리센츠동대문호텔
Featuring views of the city, each room is carpeted and fitted with a TV, safety deposit box, desk and fridge. Private bathroom includes free toiletries, slippers and a hairdryer. The hotel features a restaurant, conference rooms and a business center. There is also a 24-hour front desk that offers luggage storage, valet parking and currency exchange services.
동대문 새턴호텔
All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a closet. The hotel has some rooms with city views, and all rooms have an electric tea pot. All rooms feature a private bathroom, a hairdryer and bed linen.
Saturn Hotel(동대문 새턴호텔) also provides a business center and guests can use the fax machine and photocopier at the accommodation.
맹그로브 신설
Mangrove Sinseol provides accommodation with a fitness center, private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property has a shared kitchen, a business center and currency exchange for guests.
At the hotel, rooms include a closet. At Mangrove Sinseol every room comes with bed linen and towels.
G 미니호텔 동대문
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, a flat-screen cable TV and an electric kettle. Private bathroom comes with a hairdryer and free toiletries. The 24-hour front desk provides currency exchange and ticket services. Guests can request grocery delivery service or request shuttle service here at a surcharge.
호스텔메트로
Fitted with air conditioning and heating, all guestrooms come with a TV and a mini-fridge. The private bathroom is equipped with a sink and a shower. At the 24-hour front desk, guests can store luggage or request for fax/photocopying services.
호텔 포레스타
All units are equipped with air conditioning, a TV with cable channels, a fridge, an electric tea pot, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. With a private bathroom equipped with a bath and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also provide guests with free Wi-Fi, while selected rooms include a city view. Guest rooms include a closet. Free private parking and a business center are available, as well as a 24-hour front desk.
호텔 컬리넌 왕십리
Featuring a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer, rooms at the hotel also feature free WiFi. The reception at Hotel Cullinan Wangsimni can provide tips on the area.
저스트스테이호텔 왕십리역점
Hotel provides a shared lounge, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi and a bar. This 2-star motel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar. All guest rooms in the motel are equipped with an electric tea pot. At Just Stay Hotel every room has air conditioning and a flat-screen TV.
An enormous fashion shopping district with 24 large department store-like buildings such as Doota, Migliore, and APM, each with 2-17 stories of trendy shops and stalls grouped together so customers can shop efficiently and save time. This market is of equal historical significance to Namdaemun market, with the obvious difference being Dongdaemun's modernity. Historically, Dongdaemun was a nightmarket, open from 01:00 to 13:00 the following day; now it opens midday, but remains active well into the early morning, with many shops finally closing around 08:00. Some stores are open for 24 hours. Come on Friday or Saturday night to see Dongdaemun at its most hectic, with huge crowds of thousands flooding the streets hunting for their next bargain. The energy is almost palpable.
There are two Techno Marts in Seoul: the original at Gangbyeon station, and the new store at Sindorim station. Both complexes house over 2,000 stores across eight floors that sell a variety of high-tech products. From electrical appliances to computers, you will find everything you need. The first floor has cosmetics, accessories, and stationeries. The second and third floors comprise Korean-made electrical goods, while the fourth and fifth floors sell foreign-made electrical appliances. The sixth floor sells cell phones and their accessories. Computers are sold on the seventh, and on the eighth music and DVDs. Aside from all the high-tech gadgetry, there are over a dozen restaurants on the 9th floor, and a cineplex and arcade on the 10th.
DDP
DDP is famous for holding various exhibitions and festivals and for holding Seoul Art Week and Seoul Fashion Week every year. Dongdaemun is a region of Seoul called the 'Mecca of Fashion' and is well known for its cool architecture constructure. At night, the lights turn on and you can see the beautiful architecture.
롯데백화점 건대스타시티점
A department store in the KU area. It is very accessible and crowded.
By train
Several lines of the city's massive subway and commuter rail systems go to the eastern parts of the city including 1, 2, 5, 7 and the Gyeongui–Jungang and Gyeongchun lines.
By car
This is one of the most accessible neighborhoods in Seoul.
By bus
There are lots of buses from the centre to Dongdaemun, Jungnang, Gwangjin, and Seongdong.
By taxi
From the centre of Seoul to eastern Seoul can cost ₩8,000 to ₩15,000 (2018). Prices late at night can be cheaper as there are fewer cars on the road.
By foot
Gwangjin-gu has the Jungrangcheon and Han River.
By bike
In particular, it can access to major areas of the Han River bike road, and healthy ways to move through public bicycle rental services such as 'Ttareungi '.
By electric e-scooter
In the east city, the shared electric key is actively operated, and subway station, and subway stations are being exposed to fast-range mobile numbers, and subway stations.
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