Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun), Seoul: Address, Phone Number, Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun) Reviews: 4/5
Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun)
Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun)
4
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Jongno-gu
How to get there
- Dongdaemun • 1 min walk
- Dongmyo • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,960 within 3 miles
The Griffin Bar
206
270 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun 1
331
433 ft$$ - $$$ • Fast Food • Asian • Korean
Tavolo 24
317
262 ft$$$$ • Japanese • American • International
Jin Ok Hwa Original Chicken Restaurant
589
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean
Myeongdong Dakhanmari Main
190
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean
BLT Steak
181
305 ft$$$$ • American • Steakhouse • Grill
Jin Wonjo Dakhanmari Main Store
143
0.2 mi$ • Asian • Korean
Wonjo WonHalmae Dakhanmari
213
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Korean • Soups
The Lounge
104
304 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Bar • Cafe
Everest Curry World Restaurant
71
0.1 mi$ • Indian • Asian • Nepali
Attractions
565 within 6 miles
Dongdaemun Seonggwak Park
14
272 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Pyeonghwa Market
29
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Dongdaemun Underground Shopping Center
15
354 ftShopping Malls
Seoul City Wall Museum
31
0.1 miHistory Museums
Doota
205
0.2 miDepartment Stores
Dongdaemun Shopping Complex
576
0.2 miShopping Malls
Nampyeonghwa Sangga
36
0.2 miShopping Malls
Grilled Fish Street in Dongdaemun Market
109
0.2 miNeighborhoods
L’atelier
11
0.2 miArt Museums
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
2,209
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
459 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
222
Average
131
Poor
14
Terrible
4
Traveller of the world
1,268 contributions
Solo
Worth a stop if you are in the area or really into history. Don't make a special trip. You need ten minutes at the most to walk around it and take photographs. There is a small information board in English too with some facts.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris Ruggaluffagus
Yorktown, VA268 contributions
This is a quick stop between all the other sites in Seoul. You only need about 15 min to get the pictures you need. This gate is one of several still standing as part of the Seoul City Wall.
Remnants of Seoul City Wall along with the Seoul City Wall Museum are nearby. I recommend you see all three while in the area.
If you only want to see one gate, this is a great one!
Remnants of Seoul City Wall along with the Seoul City Wall Museum are nearby. I recommend you see all three while in the area.
If you only want to see one gate, this is a great one!
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CanisHan
Seoul, South Korea21,579 contributions
C ( 20.12.09 )
There was one of Seoul's landmark, but this landmark's space was a little small, I think. There was one of four big door to Seoul, and had historical meanings. There was good to visit passing by, and had some attraction around there. Though there was Korean treasure No.1, but I think more improvement for attraction. There was good point to rest on Seoul travel.
There was one of Seoul's landmark, but this landmark's space was a little small, I think. There was one of four big door to Seoul, and had historical meanings. There was good to visit passing by, and had some attraction around there. Though there was Korean treasure No.1, but I think more improvement for attraction. There was good point to rest on Seoul travel.
Written December 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Culinary-Consultants
Ferrara, Italy3,462 contributions
There are several of these gates along Seoul. There is not really nothing amazing to see here. No directions, No history to be shared or told on the spot, noone to guide you or instruct you about what this or the other gates are about.
I recommend them during the night though as they have lights and decorations, but not even the South Koreans really stop here. The doors are not allocated on a special street or quiet location. There are just on the side of the street and inter-junctions right on top where the street lights and heavy traffic are. But in any case to give a little flair to this place I will share with you all some lines of what an internet site has to say about this place:
Explanation:
Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed important government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453 and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.
The gate features a hipped roof which has five front compartments and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.
One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period as well.
Enjoy it and take some pictures. This is all you can do here. 10 minutes tops to dedicate to this place.
I recommend them during the night though as they have lights and decorations, but not even the South Koreans really stop here. The doors are not allocated on a special street or quiet location. There are just on the side of the street and inter-junctions right on top where the street lights and heavy traffic are. But in any case to give a little flair to this place I will share with you all some lines of what an internet site has to say about this place:
Explanation:
Heunginjimun Gate was built to protect Hanseongbu, which historically housed important government facilities. Heunginjimun Gate was the gate on the east side of the outer wall of Seoul Fortress among eight gates. It is referred to as Dongdaemun Gate as well. The gate was constructed during King Taejo’s 5th year in 1396, remodeled during the reign of King Danjong in 1453 and was newly built in 1869 during the sixth year of King Gojong’s reign in 1869.
The gate features a hipped roof which has five front compartments and two side compartments on a two-storied building. The thin and weak bracket system supports the eaves and is excessively decorated, reflecting the construction features of the late Joseon period. Also, outside of the fortress is the half-circle shaped Ongseong, a small wall, to protect the gate.
One of the unique factors of Heunginjimun Gate is that it is the only gate among Seoul’s eight to have Ongseong, further exhibiting the style of construction used during the late Joseon period as well.
Enjoy it and take some pictures. This is all you can do here. 10 minutes tops to dedicate to this place.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Della G
Coquitlam, Canada808 contributions
We have viewed this east gate both during the day time and in the evening. Of course it is more impressive at night all lit up. The gate was originally constructed around 1396 during the Joseon King Taijo's reigned. The last rebuilt took place around in 1869. Needless to say it is one of the four main gates that surrounds Seoul and still has part of the old fortress around it. Yes it is difficult to get up close to view it. Better photo ops from across the way.
Written December 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
miles_for_smiles
Hong Kong, China94 contributions
Solo
Amazing building, really worth the visit and spending some time to soak it all in!
Super easy to access via the subway system and conveniently located, this is a must visit!
Super easy to access via the subway system and conveniently located, this is a must visit!
Written November 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ann C
Nashville, TN2,737 contributions
This is one of 8 gates. You could not enter when I was there, only a photo from outside.
Its name means great east gate.
You can access it from either subway 1 or 4.
Its name means great east gate.
You can access it from either subway 1 or 4.
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anthony Cordato
Sydney, Australia2,122 contributions
Walk past Dongdaeumun Design Centre, and keep walking straight - the Heunginjimun Gate will suddenly appear in view.
It's an impressive structure - a two tiered building on a solid stone base in which there is a tunnel which housed the gate. This is the East Gate of Seoul, one of four main gates in the old Seoul City Wall. The Gate was first built by King Taejo during his fifth year of reign (1398). It was renovated in 1453, and the current structure is the one rebuilt in 1869.
What is particularly impressive is the half circle outer wall enclosure (the Ongseong). This was a powerful defensive device because visitors who entered were surrounded. It also protects the gate against a battering ram.
You can view it from all around, but there is no entry.
To best view it, you need to cross the road up to the Heunginjimun Gate Park which is where the City Wall now starts, and view it on eye level.
Information about the gate is sparse, even though the small information placard states it is Korea's National Treasure number 1.
To find out more and to see the Jaspyan statues up close, visit the Seoul City Wall Museum which is about 100 metres up in the Heunginjimun Gate Park. It's free to visit, has scale models and a lot of fascinating information about the gate and the Seoul City Wall.
See my photos.
It's an impressive structure - a two tiered building on a solid stone base in which there is a tunnel which housed the gate. This is the East Gate of Seoul, one of four main gates in the old Seoul City Wall. The Gate was first built by King Taejo during his fifth year of reign (1398). It was renovated in 1453, and the current structure is the one rebuilt in 1869.
What is particularly impressive is the half circle outer wall enclosure (the Ongseong). This was a powerful defensive device because visitors who entered were surrounded. It also protects the gate against a battering ram.
You can view it from all around, but there is no entry.
To best view it, you need to cross the road up to the Heunginjimun Gate Park which is where the City Wall now starts, and view it on eye level.
Information about the gate is sparse, even though the small information placard states it is Korea's National Treasure number 1.
To find out more and to see the Jaspyan statues up close, visit the Seoul City Wall Museum which is about 100 metres up in the Heunginjimun Gate Park. It's free to visit, has scale models and a lot of fascinating information about the gate and the Seoul City Wall.
See my photos.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rumples
Tucson, AZ11,166 contributions
I came across this massive gate, one of the four major entrances to Seoul centuries ago, while walking to the nearby Dongdaemun Design Center. An imposing structure, this is the only city gate with a small wall that was constructed to give the Joseon Dynasty fortress additional protection against invaders. Though originally built in 1398, the gate has undergone many restorations, and it appeared to me that one must have occurred quite recently, based on its current excellent condition.
Located in an extremely busy traffic area, this Eastern gate can be difficult to reach on foot. Though I managed to do so, the entrance was blocked off and the effort to get there hardly seemed worthwhile. I ended up ascending a small hill across the street by the Seoul City Wall. This provided a superb vantage point for the gate and the surrounding neighborhood. My visit occurred during the afternoon. Later, when I walked by at night, the gate had been beautifully illuminated and I had an even better appreciation of the structure.
Dongdaemun Gate is about a 5-minute walk from the Dongdaemun Subway stop (Lines 1 and 4). Take Exit 1 or 6 - 10.
Located in an extremely busy traffic area, this Eastern gate can be difficult to reach on foot. Though I managed to do so, the entrance was blocked off and the effort to get there hardly seemed worthwhile. I ended up ascending a small hill across the street by the Seoul City Wall. This provided a superb vantage point for the gate and the surrounding neighborhood. My visit occurred during the afternoon. Later, when I walked by at night, the gate had been beautifully illuminated and I had an even better appreciation of the structure.
Dongdaemun Gate is about a 5-minute walk from the Dongdaemun Subway stop (Lines 1 and 4). Take Exit 1 or 6 - 10.
Written September 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nathan Smith Jr
Los Angeles, CA603 contributions
Solo
One thing I hate about Seoul is how bloody difficult it can be to cross the street. You can't really get close to the gate because of how the gates are set up, so don't feel bad if none of your pics turn out right. After some shopping at the nearby namdaemun market, you can come here for some shots. There's several of these bad boys around Seoul, so go catch em all.
Written August 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun)
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- Hotels near Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun):
- (0.03 mi) Hotel Ilsung
- (0.07 mi) JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul
- (0.10 mi) Fillhouse
- (0.17 mi) Hotel Skypark Kingstown Dongdaemun
- (0.07 mi) HAH Guesthouse
- Restaurants near Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun):
- (0.05 mi) The Griffin Bar
- (0.08 mi) Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun 1
- (0.05 mi) Tavolo 24
- (0.06 mi) BLT Steak
- (0.06 mi) The Lounge
- Attractions near Dongdaemun Gate (Heunginjimun):
- (0.10 mi) Dongdaemun Market
- (0.05 mi) Dongdaemun Seonggwak Park
- (0.10 mi) Pyeonghwa Market
- (0.07 mi) Dongdaemun Underground Shopping Center
- (0.11 mi) Seoul City Wall Museum