Published Date : May 26, 2017 / Edited Date : Jun 03, 2024
Seoul's newest landmark, Seoullo 7017 opened on May 20th, 2017. Seoullo 7017 was once a highway, and now it has been transformed into a pedestrian haven. Now an elevated pedestrian sky garden, it has proved hugely popular with locals and tourists alike. But Seoullo 7017 isn't the only place on the minds of the people; neighboring areas are seeing renewed interest. Sitting to the west of Seoul Station, the neighborhoods of Malli-dong, Jungnim-dong, and Cheongpa-dong still retain the charms of old Seoul. Explore these areas and see remnants of old Seoul enduring in modern Seoul.
Historic and Cultural Attractions
① Yakhyeon Catholic Church ② Son Kee Chung Statue ③ Yeomcheongyo Shoe Street
Yakhyeon Catholic Church sits to the west of Seoul Station. Built in 1892, it was the first ever Western-style church built in Korea. From Yakhyeon, Seosomun History Park is visible and these two places should be visited together. Today, the park is a popular resting place for locals and tourists, but in the 1800s it was a site of persecution and suffering. Catholics were a heavily persecuted group at the time, and over a hundred Korean Catholics were executed at the site of the park. Yakhyeon Catholic Church was built on a site that overlooked the execution site in order to honor the martyred. Yakhyeon and the park have great historical significance, and are visited by many people each year.
Situated between Seoul Station and Seosomun History Park is a small street where visitors will be able to peek into the past. Yeomcheongyo Shoe Street was established in 1925 and it was the first dedicated shoemaking district in Seoul. Although there aren't as many stores and craftsmen as there once were, visitors will find more than 25 shoe stores in the area. There are some 50-odd factories and 130 businesses that are based out of Yeomcheongyo Shoe Street. From Yeomcheongyo Shoe Street, it's a short walk to Yakhyeon Catholic Church. Visitors who continue walking past the church will soon reach the Son Kee Chung Memorial Hall . The memorial hall commemorates the Korean Olympian Son Kee Chung, who won the gold marathon medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Because Korea was under Japanese occupation at the time, Son Kee Chung became a symbol of hope and a source of pride for the Korean people. The memorial hall went under renovations and reopened in 2012.
More Info!
Yakhyeon Catholic Church Address & Directions 447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul / Chungjeongno Station (subway lines 2, 5) exit 4 Telephone +82-2-362-1891 Website Yakhyeon Catholic Church Seosomun History Park Address & Directions 5, Chilpae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul / Telephone +82-2-313-7986 Yeomcheongyo Shoe Street Hours of Operation Weekdays 12:00-22:30 KST, Saturdays 15:00-23:00 KST (closed Sundays) Address & Directions 175-8, Euijuro 2ga 175-8, Jung-gu, Seoul / Seoul Station (subway lines 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) exit 3 Website (Korean) Yeomcheongyo Shoe Street Son Kee Chung Memorial Hall Hours of Operation Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 KST / Address & Directions 101-4, Songijeong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul / Seoul Station (subway lines 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) exit 5 Telephone +82-2-364-1936
Walking Course
① National Theater Company of Korea ② Hyochang Park ③ Malli Market
Course : Culture Station Seoul 284 -> National Theater Company of Korea -> Gaemi Supermarket -> Malli Market -> Seongu Barber Shop -> Hyochang Park
Another option for a walking tour of Seoul's cultural and historic attractions starts at Culture Station Seoul 284 . Culture Station Seoul 284 is a cultural complex now, but it once served as the main rail artery of the city and it was Seoul's central rail station. Just behind Culture Station Seoul 284, across the road, is the National Theater Company of Korea. The theater is partially comprised of bright red shipping containers. The National Theater Company of Korea moved into the premises in 2010, but for 30 years before that, the building served as a Korean military base. Today, the former military base is home to a thriving theater arts scene.
Gaemi Supermarket, which has been in business for over 100 years, is located nearby. Also close by is Malli Market, a neighborhood mainstay. Also in the neighborhood is Seongu Barber Shop it has been operated by three generations of one family, and it's been in business since 1927. The neighborhood feels much like a living, outdoor museum. Visitors may feel like they're peeking into a door to the city's past. Hyochang Park was officially made a park in 1940, but far before the official designation, the park was an important part of Korean history. The graves of several royals are located here. Most notably, the son of King Jeongjo, 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty, is at Hyochang Park. Numerous Korean independence fighters and martyrs are also buried at Hyochang Park.
More Info!
Culture Station Seoul 284 Address & Directions Seoul Station, 1, Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul / Seoul Station (subway lines 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) exit 2 Website https://www.seoul284.org/eng National Theater Company of Korea Address & Directions 373, Cheongpa-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Seoul Station (subway lines 1, 4, Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Airport Railroad) exit 15 Telephone +82-1644-2003 Website National Theater Company of Korea Gaemi Supermarket Address 31, Cheongpa-ro 85-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Telephone +82-2-714-3383 Malli Market Address 276, Hyochangwon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Telephone +82-2-714-0151 Seongu Barber Shop Address 4-1, Hyochangwon-ro 97-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul / Telephone +82-2-714-2968 Hyochang Park Address 177-18, Hyochangwon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / Telephone +82-2-458-3315
Restaurants
Very Street Kitchen
Very Street Kitchen is almost impossible to miss. Located one of the streets neighboring Seoullo 7017, the restaurant looks very different from its neighbors. Made from old stone bricks with a small tree standing in front, the building is over 100 years old. The restaurant's concept is street food, and diners can find street food from all over the world at Very Street Kitchen. Even the names of dishes include nods to major cities all over the world. For example, diners can order the Bangkok kaikapurao, the Taipei samgyeopsal jjim, the Osaka yaki-soba, or the Rome pasta. In addition to international cuisine, diners can also enjoy Korean fusion cuisine. Popular fusion dishes include Haeundae eomuk carpaccio and Wando crab meat risotto. Travel the world by dining at Very Street Kitchen.
Address & Directions 205 Mallijae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul Telephone +82-507-1356-0243
Reasonable Kitchen
Reasonable Kitchen is tucked away in one of the small streets to the west of Seoul Station. It's easy to miss the restaurant as there is no outside signage and the restaurant is rather small and cozy. But Reasonable Kitchen offers a fantastic drinks and anju (snacks) menu. The star entree is dak-bokkeum-tang (braised spicy chicken). Soak in the atmosphere and relax with drinks and a meal at Reasonable Kitchen.
Hours of Operation Mon-Fri: 18:00-23:00 (Last order at 22:00) Closed Saturdays and Sundays
Address & Directions 50 Mallijae-ro 35-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul Telephone +82-2-363-5008
본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)