Jongno
Encyclopedia
Jongno is one of the oldest major east-west thoroughfares in central Seoul
, South Korea
, connecting Sejongno
to Dongdaemun
. It remains one of Seoul's most important financial and cultural areas to this day. Many important landmarks are located along its length, including the Bigak
pavilion at Sejongno, the Bosingak
belfry (hence the street's name), Tapgol Park
(Pagoda Park), the Jongmyo
royal ancestral shrine, and the aforementioned Dongdaemun (Great East Gate). Seoul Subway Line 1
passes under Jongno. The western end of Jongno is serviced by Gwanghwamun Station
(Seoul Subway Line 5
), and Jongno 3-ga Station
is serviced by Subway Lines 1, 3
, and 5. Because of a large amount of shops, stores and groceries along the area, the word "jongno" is often used in the Korean Language to express "Town Square".
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, connecting Sejongno
Sejongno
Sejongno is a street that cuts through Jongno-gu in downtown Seoul. It is named after King Sejong. The street is only 600 meters in length, but thanks to its central location it is of great symbolic importance. It points north to Gwanaksan and Bukhansan , and the Joseon Dynasty palace,...
to Dongdaemun
Dongdaemun
Heunginjimun, literally "Gate of Rising Benevolence" or more commonly known as Dongdaemun, is a prominent landmark in central Seoul, South Korea. The Korean name "Dongdaemun" means "Great East Gate," and it was so named because it was the major eastern gate in the wall that surrounded Seoul during...
. It remains one of Seoul's most important financial and cultural areas to this day. Many important landmarks are located along its length, including the Bigak
Bigak
Bigak is a pavilion near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul. The pavilion was built in 1902 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Emperor Gojong’s coronation and his 50th birthday, as well as the founding in 1897 of the Korean Empire....
pavilion at Sejongno, the Bosingak
Bosingak
Bosingak is a large bell pavilion on Jongno in Seoul, South Korea. The bell in Bosingak gives Jongno its name, which literally means "bell street." It was originally constructed in 1396 but destroyed many times by both war and fire...
belfry (hence the street's name), Tapgol Park
Tapgol Park
Tapgol Park, formerly Pagoda Park, is a small public park located at 97 Jongno-gil , Seoul, South Korea. This park was once a site of Wongaksa...
(Pagoda Park), the Jongmyo
Jongmyo
Jongmyo is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty. According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established since the 14th century...
royal ancestral shrine, and the aforementioned Dongdaemun (Great East Gate). Seoul Subway Line 1
Seoul Subway Line 1
Seoul Subway Line 1 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, formerly known as the Korea National Railroad of Seoul, is an operation channel which links central Seoul, South Korea to Soyosan Station in the northeast, Incheon in the southwest, and Asan via Suwon in the south. This line covers a large part...
passes under Jongno. The western end of Jongno is serviced by Gwanghwamun Station
Gwanghwamun Station
Gwanghwamun Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 5 in South Korea. It is not the closest subway station to the actual gate of Gwanghwamun, for which it is named. It is located next to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul....
(Seoul Subway Line 5
Seoul Subway Line 5
Seoul Subway Line 5 of the Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, dubbed the purple line, is a long line crossing from the west to the east across the Seoul National Capital Area, South Korea...
), and Jongno 3-ga Station
Jongno 3-ga Station
Jongno 3-ga Station is an underground station on lines 1, 3 and 5 of the Seoul Subway in South Korea.-History:The station opened to Line 1 services on August 15, 1974...
is serviced by Subway Lines 1, 3
Seoul Subway Line 3
Seoul Subway Line 3 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway is an operation system which connects Goyang, northwestern Seoul to the city center, Gangnam, and southeastern Seoul. Construction began in 1980, and most of the current line opened over two stages in 1985, along with Brother subway Line 4...
, and 5. Because of a large amount of shops, stores and groceries along the area, the word "jongno" is often used in the Korean Language to express "Town Square".
Famous Places in Jongno
- Many of Korea's largest bookshops including the Kyobo Book CentreKyobo Book CentreThe Kyobo Book Centre or Kyobo Mungo , is the largest and most famous book store in South Korea. It boasts ten stores in seven cities, the most famous one being its Main Store, or Gwanghwamun-jum in Seoul, which is located right under the Kyobo Building, situated at Number 1, Jong-ro 1 Street...
(near SejongnoSejongnoSejongno is a street that cuts through Jongno-gu in downtown Seoul. It is named after King Sejong. The street is only 600 meters in length, but thanks to its central location it is of great symbolic importance. It points north to Gwanaksan and Bukhansan , and the Joseon Dynasty palace,...
), Youngpoong Bookstore, and Bandi & Luni's Bookstore(Jongno 1-ga) are located near Jongno. - Jongno TowerJongno TowerJongno Tower is a 33-story office building in Jongno, Seoul. Its top floor is equipped with a restaurant and bar which is famous for its view of Jongno and other areas of Seoul. The tower is located near Jonggak Station of Seoul Subway Line 1. The 23rd to 30th floors are hollow. The hangeul...
is a 33-story office building. Its top floor is equipped with a restaurant and bar which is famous for its view of Jongno and other areas of Seoul. The tower is located near Jonggak StationJonggak StationJonggak Station is a station on the Line 1 of the Seoul Subway in South Korea. It is located on Jongno, central Seoul and comprises a large underground arcade....
of Seoul Subway Line 1. - InsadongInsadongInsadong is a dong, or neighborhood of the Jongno-gu district of the South Korean city of Seoul. The main street is Insadong-gil, which is connected to a multitude of alleys that lead deeper into the district...
-gil, a street famous for its traditional attractions, including galleries, souvenir shops, and restaurants, is accessible directly from Jongno (Jongno 3-ga). - CheonggyecheonCheonggyecheonCheonggyecheon is an 8.4 km long, modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul, South Korea. The massive urban renewal project is on the site of a stream that flowed before the rapid post-war economic development required it to be covered by transportation infrastructure...
flows just a block south of Jongno. - Sejong Centre, one of the most famous multi-purpose theatres in Korea, lies near the intersection of Jongno and Sejongno.
- The area around Jongno 3-ga StationJongno 3-ga StationJongno 3-ga Station is an underground station on lines 1, 3 and 5 of the Seoul Subway in South Korea.-History:The station opened to Line 1 services on August 15, 1974...
is the origin of many famous film theatres; DansungsaDansungsaDansungsa, established in 1907, was the first movie theatre in Korea. It is located in Jongno 3-ga, Seoul. Korea Loyal Flight became the theatre's first ever premiere in 1919. Chunsa Na Woon-gyu's Korean folk movie, Arirang, followed, premiering in the theatre in 1926...
(established in 1907, the oldest cinema theatre in Korea), The Piccadilly Cinema (established in 1958), Seoul Cinema (established in 1978). - Pimatgol is a well-known alley lying just north of Jongno 1, 2, 3-ga.
- DongdaemunDongdaemunHeunginjimun, literally "Gate of Rising Benevolence" or more commonly known as Dongdaemun, is a prominent landmark in central Seoul, South Korea. The Korean name "Dongdaemun" means "Great East Gate," and it was so named because it was the major eastern gate in the wall that surrounded Seoul during...
, which is more properly known as Heunginjimun, is one of the four gates of old Seoul. It is located at the east end of Jongno. - Dongdaemun MarketDongdaemun MarketDongdaemun Market or Tongdaemun is the large commercial district comprising traditional markets and shopping centers in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea...
, one of the most well-known wholesale and retail shopping places in Korea, surrounds the area near Jongno 5-ga StationJongno 5-ga StationJongno 5-ga Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 1. It is located underneath Jongno, a major street in downtown Seoul.-Vicinity:*Exit 1 : Dongdaemun Police Station*Exit 2 :*Exit 3 : Hyoje Elementary School*Exit 4 :*Exit 5 :...
, Dongdaemun StadiumDongdaemun StadiumThe Dongdaemun Stadium, was in Seoul, South Korea and included a multi-purpose athletics stadium, a baseball park and other sports facilities. It was located near the Dongdaemun or Great East Gate and the surrounding Dongdaemun market and had many vendors selling athletics-related goods...
and Dongdaemun Stadium StationDongdaemun Stadium StationDongdaemun History & Culture Park Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 2, Line 4 and Line 5. It serves the nearby Dongdaemun Stadium, even though the stadium itself is not used for sports events anymore...
.