Must-see attractions in Northern Seoul

  • Exterior of Seodaemun Prison, north of river.

    Seodaemun Prison History Hall

    Northern Seoul

    Built in 1908, this former prison is a potent symbol of Korean suffering at the hands of Japan during colonial occupation in the early 20th century…

  • Korean Stone Art Museum

    Northern Seoul

    A score of centuries-old stone sentinels stand guard on the hillside at this terrific museum overlooking Seongbuk-dong. A road winds through sculpted…

  • Korea Furniture Museum

    Northern Seoul

    You need to apply several days in advance via a reservation page on the website to visit this museum, but you absolutely should to admire the fabulous…

  • Ihwa Mural Village

    Northern Seoul

    High on the slopes of Naksan is one of the city's old daldongnae (literally ‘moon villages’) where refugees lived in shacks after the Korean War. Sixty…

  • Inwangsan Guksadang

    Northern Seoul

    This ornate shrine atop Inwangsan is one of Seoul's most important sites for shamanism, Korea's ancient, highly ritualised and somewhat taboo folk…

  • Changgyeonggung Palace

    Changgyeonggung

    Northern Seoul

    Originally built in the 15th century by King Sejong for his father, this is one of Seoul's 'five grand palaces'. It backs onto the more impressive…

  • Carved Door with Antique Lock

    Lock Museum

    Northern Seoul

    One of Seoul’s quirkier private collections makes for a surprisingly absorbing exhibition. It focuses on the artistry of locks, latches and keys of all…

  • Arko Art Center

    Northern Seoul

    A great place to see contemporary art, this impressive red-brick complex has a trio of interlinking galleries that house regularly changing, often avant…

  • Whanki Museum

    Northern Seoul

    Surrounded by sculptures, this attractive museum showcases a rotating display of works by Kim Whan-ki (1913–74), a local pioneer of modern abstract art…

  • Myeongjeongjeon

    Northern Seoul

    The main hall of Changgyeonggung, Myeongjeongjeon was rebuilt in 1616, making it a valuable example of 17th-century Joseon architecture, and the oldest…

  • Great Greenhouse

    Northern Seoul

    On the grounds of Changgyeonggung is this splendid Victorian-stye greenhouse built by the Japanese in 1909.

  • Gilsang-sa

    Northern Seoul

    This modern hillside temple is a pleasure to visit at any time of the year, but particularly in May when the grounds are festooned with lanterns for…

  • Seodaemun Independence Park

    Northern Seoul

    Apart from the former prison, this park, dedicated to those who fought for Korean independence, also features Dongnimmun, an impressive granite archway…

  • Choi Sunu House

    Northern Seoul

    The charming hanok (traditional wooden home) of Choi Sunu, a former director of the National Museum of Korea and academic on Korean arts is now looked…

  • Changuimun

    Northern Seoul

    One of the 'four small gates' in Seoul's City Wall, this is also the start point for the City Wall hike up Bukaksan. If you plan on doing the hike, you'll…

  • Seonjam Museum

    Northern Seoul

    An engaging little museum about Seongbuk-dong's long vanished Seonjam altar, which was where royal sericulture (silk production) rites were held during…

  • Hyehwamun

    Northern Seoul

    One of the 'four small gates' of the Seoul City Wall, Hyehwamun is also known as Dongsomun (literally 'small east gate'). Originally built in 1396, it was…

  • Hanyangdoseong Exhibition Hall

    Northern Seoul

    Adjacent to Hyehwamun, this former home of various mayors of Seoul was built in 1941 directly on top of the Seoul City Wall. It's now a Wall museum with a…

  • Marronnier Park

    Northern Seoul

    More plaza than park, Marronnier Park usually has something happening on afternoons and evenings at the outdoor stage, as well as pockets of sculpture to…

  • Naksan Park

    Northern Seoul

    The lofty slopes above Daehangno offer fantastic city views and contain an impressive section of the Seoul City Wall, which you can follow in either…

  • Samcheong Park

    Northern Seoul

    On the lower slopes of Bukaksan, this park is busiest in April when locals come to admire the cherry blossoms. Hiking trails here connect up with the…

  • Seoul Museum

    Northern Seoul

    The spacious modern galleries here have a variety of shows through the year. The highlight, though, is Seokpajeong, the elegant remains of a 19th-century…