Hwangudan Altar and Gate were built in October 1897. The altar was a religious facility were the emperor of the Great Han Empire made offerings to the Lord of heaven when he established the empire in 1897. Most of the area was destroyed by the Japanese in 1913 to make way for a hotel but [...]]]>

Hwangudan Altar

Hwangudan Altar and Gate were built in October 1897. The altar was a religious facility were the emperor of the Great Han Empire made offerings to the Lord of heaven when he established the empire in 1897. Most of the area was destroyed by the Japanese in 1913 to make way for a hotel but the altar, small gates and stone drums were untouched. In 2007 the main gate to this area was discovered and restored to its current location in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza and facing Deoksugung Palace.

Hwangudan Altar is definitely not a common tourist spot. It is hidden away in the centre of Seoul inside a small garden located at the Westin Chosun Hotel.

Often it is very quite here with no tourists despite being right in the main tourist area of City Hall Seoul.

There is no entrance fee and it is open all year round 24 hours a day. So, next time if you are at City Hall Plaza take a few minutes out of your schedule and visit Hwangudan Altar and Gate.

How to get Hwangudan Altar:
Take line 1 or 2 to City Hall station and leave exit 5 or 6 and follow the map below.

Starbucks Coffee Korea opened its first store in Ewha Womans University on July 27, 1999. Today Starbucks Coffee Korea operates over 300 stores in 35 cities throughout Korea.

For any big fans of Starbucks Coffee in Seoul, you should visit the store at City Hall Station. It was built next to [...]]]>

Starbucks City Hall Seoul

Starbucks Coffee Korea opened its first store in Ewha Womans University on July 27, 1999. Today Starbucks Coffee Korea operates over 300 stores in 35 cities throughout Korea.

For any big fans of Starbucks Coffee in Seoul, you should visit the store at City Hall Station. It was built next to Hwangudan Gate and Altar. The altar is in the garden of the Westin Chosun Hotel. To keep up with the style of the Gate and Altar this Starbucks Coffee took on a traditional Korean style design.

The outside of the building is quite similar in style to what you may find at the big palaces such as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Deoksugung Palace. The interior is quite similar to any other Starbucks in Korea with the exception of pictures of their community involvement on the wall.

If you visit this Starbucks Coffee shop I suggest you get it to go and head around to the Hwangudan Altar / small green area and take a few minutes to relax and take in the beauty of traditional and modern Korea combined. Also about 3 minutes walk away is Deoksugung Palace.

How to get to Starbucks at City Hall Station:
Take line 1 or 2 to City Hall Station. Leave exit 6 and follow the map below or head towards the Westin Chosun Hotel.

City Hall in Seoul is a governmental building for the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It is located next to City Hall Station. The building was built by the Japanese occupation government in 1926. After liberation from Japan, it served the Seoul city government. In front of City Hall building is the City Hall Plaza. It is [...]]]>

New City Hall Exhibition under construction

City Hall in Seoul is a governmental building for the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It is located next to City Hall Station. The building was built by the Japanese occupation government in 1926. After liberation from Japan, it served the Seoul city government. In front of City Hall building is the City Hall Plaza. It is an open area that has become famous for public rallies or celebrations. The most famous was of the huge gathering to support the South Koreans during the Japan – Korea World Cup of 2002.

In 2008 construction began on a New City Hall building. Seoul City Hall will consist of the existing structure which will be renovated and a newly constructed building. See below for pictures. Some 40 percent of the New City Hall building has been earmarked for a cultural space meaning it will truly be a place for the citizens of Seoul. The new building will be an eco-friendly building. Construction is expected to finish in May 2012.

Currently in front of the construction site at City Hall plaza you can find a small exhibit about the history and future of City Hall. At the exhibit the staff can speak English and there are a few useful free guide books. Also, it’s possible to get your picture taken for free with different Korean cultural backgrounds and email to your computer.

Opening Hours / Admission:
The Exhibit is open from 10:00am – 19:00 and closed on Mondays.

Admission is free.

How to get to City Hall Seoul:
Take line 1 or 2 to City Hall station and take exit 5.

This newly built museum preserved the facade of the old Supreme Court Office building.
After a short walk from City Hall Station we arrived at the entrance to the Museum of Art. There is a small winding path leading up to the museum. On both sides of the path you can see plants, flowers [...]]]>

Seoul Museum of Art

This newly built museum preserved the facade of the old Supreme Court Office building.
After a short walk from City Hall Station we arrived at the entrance to the Museum of Art. There is a small winding path leading up to the museum. On both sides of the path you can see plants, flowers and trees. It is here and in front of the main door of the museum that you can find the special outdoor exhibit which includes statues and sculptures.

The museum is constantly holding exhibitions of all kinds. Some of the most famous exhibitions to be held here were from Chagall, Picasso, Matisse, Magritte and Van Gogh. When I arrived at the museum the Seoul, City Exploration, and Korea∙Australia Exchange Exhibition were on display. Entrance to both were free. Also, there is a permanent exhibition called the Spirit of Chun Kyung-Ja.

For a list of exhibitions currently on display check out the official site of the Seoul Museum of Art.

Opening Hours / Admission:
Closed every monday and January 1st.
March – October: 10:00am – 19:00
November – February: 10:00am – 18:00
The special exhibits are usually open for one hour longer. Check the Museum’s website for more info.
Last entrance is usually one hour before closing time

How to get to the Museum of Art Seoul:
Take line 1 or 2 to City Hall station.

Deoksugung Palace is one of the five palaces from the Jeseon Dynasty which lasted over 500 years. Deoksugung was originally built as a residence for Prince Wolsan, the elder brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494). After all other palace buildings were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592, King Seonjo (1567-1608) established a temporary [...]]]>

Deoksugung Palace Entrance

Deoksugung Palace is one of the five palaces from the Jeseon Dynasty which lasted over 500 years. Deoksugung was originally built as a residence for Prince Wolsan, the elder brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494). After all other palace buildings were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592, King Seonjo (1567-1608) established a temporary residence here. King Gwanghaegun (1608-1623), who succeeded King Seonjo, named the palace Gyeongungung in 1611. King Injo (1623-1649) held a coronation ceremony in Jeukjodang Hall in 1623. It was here in 1897 that King Gojong proclaimed to the nation and the world the establishment of the “Great Han Empire”. The palace was renamed Deoksugung in 1907, when King Sunjong ascended the throne and it has been known by that name to this day. In 2007 a major restoration project was undertaken.

The palace was 3 times larger than it is today, encompassing the whole area around the present city hall, Seoul Plaza and Jeong-dong area. As foreign diplomats and missionaries arrived in Seoul, some western-style buildings also appeared inside Deoksugung palace.

Although located in the busy centre of Seoul, Deoksugung is very tranquil. On first arriving at Deoksugung palace you will see Daehanmun Gate. This is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace. A daily show of the changing of the guards can be seen here at 11:00, 14:00 and 15:30. After entering Daehanmum gate you will pass over Geumcheongyo bridge. After heading straight you will come to Junghwa Gate and Junghwajeon. All of the official affairs took place in this building and meetings with foreign convoys. This is the main building in Deoksugung Palace. Originally it was two stories high and a wall was built around it. Now it stands at one story and the wall is gone, leaving the Junghwa gate pointless.

At the far end of this small palace we can find Seokjojeon Hall, which means stone house. This was built to add a more western feel to the palace at the start of the 20th century. It was designed by British architect G.R Harding. The building was rarely used as most westerners were kicked out of Korea by the Japanese after they won the Russo-Japanese war. Eventually the Japanese turned it into an art gallery. After gaining independence in 1945 the building was used to hold talks between America and the Soviets. After the Korean war it became the National Museum of Korea until 1986. The building is still undergoing restoration.

Also inside Deoksugung Palace you can find a statue of Sejong The Great. For more information about Sejong click here.

Admission / Opening Hours:
Open from 09:00 to 21:00 and closed every Monday. Tickets stop going on sale one hour before closing.
Adults: 1,000 WON
Children: 500 WON

How to get to Deoksugung Palace:
Take line one to City Hall Station and leave exit 2 or Take line two to City Hall Station and leave exit 12. With both stations you can’t miss the palace when you leave the exits.