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Main Tourist Attractions in Course

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  Noksapyeong Station

  The name "Noksapyeong" means "a field of lush green grass." The station has a unique design with 8 floors - 4 above ground and 4 below ground, and its structure features a glass dome that allows natural sunlight to reach the underground levels. Its distinctive appearance has made it a popular filming location for movies, dramas, and commercials.

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  Hansin Pottery and Travel Traces Trail

  Designated as a Seoul Future Heritage site, Hansin Pottery has been in operation since 1967. After the Korean War, many displaced people and immigrants settled in Haebangchon, and there was a high demand for essential household items like traditional Korean jars (onggi). The rows of onggi jars displayed along the exterior walls evoke a sense of nostalgia and offer a glimpse into traditional Korean life.

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  Chief Lee Bong-cheon Monument

  This monument honors Lee Bong-cheon, who played a key role in shaping Haebangchon into what it is today. As the first Chief of the district (dongjang) in 1955, he worked tirelessly to improve local infrastructure without government assistance, while representing the displaced residents who had settled in the area.

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  Sinheung Market

  Operating for over 70 years since the 1953 armistice, Sinheung Market has fostered a special environment that embraces diverse nationalities and cultures. Originally famous for offering North Korean-style dishes to comfort homesick and displaced people, it has now become a hotspot for young people with its eclectic restaurants and unique cafes.

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  Haebang Church

  Located on the highest hill in Haebangchon, Haebang Church was built by war refugees in 1947. For many years, it served as a central gathering place for the local community. This church is a symbol of Haebangchon's history, offering a place of rest and reflection for its people, who had to rebuild their lives from scratch.

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  Sites of Soongsil School and Gyeongseong Shrine

  Soongsil School, originally established in Pyeongyang in 1897 by American missionary William Baird, moved to Haebangchon in the 1950s until the 1970s. The school holds historical significance as it played a pivotal role in Korea’s anti-Japanese independence movements, including the opposition to the Eulsa Treaty, the March 1st Movement, and the resistance against the Shinto shrine. The area where it now stands used to be a Shinto shrine during the Japanese occupation.

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  108 Stairs

  The famous 108 stairs in Huam-dong bear the painful history of the Japanese colonial period. The stairs were built as part of a path leading to Gyeongseong Shrine, constructed in 1943 to honor Japanese war casualties. A sloped elevator has since been installed in a residential area first, free for everyone to use.

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  Site of Jeonsaeongseo Office and Yeongnak Borinwon

  Jeonsaeongseo was a royal stable during the Joseon Dynasty, where livestock used for palace rituals were raised. Yeongnak Borinwon, originally called Kamakura Orphanage during the Japanese colonial period, was founded by Japanese missionary Soda Kaichi to care for Korean orphans. Soda Kaichi and his wife Ueno Taki are the only Japanese individuals buried in the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery.

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  Site of Martyr Kim Sang-ok's Resistance

  This is the site where independence activist Kim Sang-ok (1889–1923) resisted Japanese occupation in 1923. He threw a bomb at the Jongno Police Station, which was notorious for torturing independence activists. He later died in a battle against over a thousand Japanese military and police forces after his hiding place was discovered. This site, located in Huam-dong, a former Japanese settlement, is a rare trace of independence movement activity.

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  Chosun Bank Residence and Jiwoljang

  The Chosun Bank Residence and Jiwoljang are notable examples of cultural houses in Seoul. Cultural houses are luxurious residences that feature a modern, Western-style exterior during the Japanese colonial period. Jiwoljang was originally the villa of Nishijima Shinzo, an executive of the Seoseon Siksan Railway Company, and is now operating as a guesthouse while preserving its original form.

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  Itaewon

  The name ‘Itaewon’ dates back to the reign of King Hyojong of the Joseon Dynasty, when the area was known for its abundance of pear trees. Originally, Itaewon was one of Hanyang (old Seoul)’s Yeokwon (inns) and the first lodging facility outside of Sungnyemun Gate. Yeokwon was a facility that provided food and accommodation for government officials and travelers.