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Main Tourist Attractions in Course

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  Gyeongmogung Palace

  The garden was situated at the rear of Changgyeonggung Palace. It was made in the 15th ruling year of King Seongjong (1484) of the Joseon Dynasty when Changgyeonggung Palace was built. Following the feng shui theory, trees were planted and walls were built to block access for unauthorized people. In the 40th ruling year of King Yeongjo (1764) the shrine for Crown Prince Sado was moved here, and it was called Gyeongmogung Palace when Jeongjo ascended the throne. However, it lost its function as the shrine for the ill-fated crown prince when his tablet was moved to the Jongmyo Shrine several years later. During the Japanese Colonial Period, Gyeongseong Imperial University was built in the palace area, depriving the palace of its original features. Today, the Hamchunmun Gate is the only remaining part of the palace.

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  Artist House, formerly the main building of Gyeongseong Imperial University

  It was originally built as the main building of Gyeongseong (Keijō) Imperial University during the period of Japanese colonial rule. As the Educational Ordinance issued in 1922 triggered earnest efforts to found a private university, the Japanese Government-General setup a founding committee for a Joseon imperial college in 1923 and founded Japan's sixth imperial college called Gyeongseong Imperial University in 1924. The university consisted of three departments: Law and Humanities, Medicine, and Science and Engineering. The main building of the Law Department was remodeled into the present Artist House. After Korea gained independence, it was used as the main building for Seoul National University (SNU) for some time. This reinforced concrete building finished with tiles shows the transitional styles of Korean architecture in the 1930s, breaking away from the past styles. It has been used by Arts Council Korea (ARKO) since the Law and Humanities Department was relocated to Gwanak Campus under the SNU Comprehensive Plan. 

  
  

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  ARKO Art Center and ARKO Art Theater

  The ARKO Art Center, designed by a famous Korean architect, Kim Soo-guen, was built and relocated in 1979 in Marronier Park. The red brick of the museum, along with the ARKO Theater next to it, is a symbol of Daehakro. Located on the east side of Marronier Park, low buildings and ramps of the museum show Kim's intention to communicate with people by connecting those with the park. 

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  Samtoh Building

  The Samtoh Company Building, together with Arko, played a crucial role in transforming Daehak-ro into a cultural space after Seoul National University moved out. It is highly credited for redefining the relationship between the city and architecture by extending the roads from the street-side commercial buildings to pass through the ground floor of the building. (Designed by Kim Swoo-geun in 1979)