Jung-gu - The centre of Seoul

 


Located south of Jong-ro (Jongno Avenue), Jung-gu (Jung District) is the center and one of the most diverse areas of Seoul. It is home to Seoul Station, the city's main transportation hub, as well as historic sites, skyscrapers, and modern architecture. The district also features bustling markets and street food vendors, vibrant entertainment hubs, popular shopping streets, and a lesser-known but fascinating alternative quarter. Featured in a separate post, Namsan Mountain is also here. Below is an overview of these locations. 

The new and old buildings of Seoul Station.







Seoullo 7017, connecting Seoul Station to Namdaemun Market, is a pedestrian highway overpass turned into an urban park with café and art installations. 





Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in South Korea.








Sungnyemun Gate, once part of the Seoul City Wall.



Deoksu Palace, one of the Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, is unique because it features both traditional Korean palace buildings and Western-style architecture.

















The tree-lined Jeongdong-gil and its surroundings are supposed to be one of Seoul’s most scenic places, but in winter the area is quite dull. 









Seoul City Hall, consisting of two buildings: a modern glass building, the current Seoul City Hall, and a stone building, the former City Hall, now the Seoul Metropolitan Library. 






Hwangudan (Wongudan) Altar, a 19th-century octagonal shrine built as the site of ritual sacrifices made to heaven.







A small section of Jong-ro (Jongno Avenue).




Bosingak Bell Pavilion, once used for telling time, today hosting a daily bell-ringing ceremony.



There is a lively area between Jong-ro and Cheonggyecheon Stream, known as Gwancheol-dong. 







Cheonggyecheon Stream, turned into an urban park with art installations. 









People demonstrating on the first day of the lunar new year infront of the Hanwha Building, which, according to them, is an unethical company.









Myeong-dong is one of Seoul’s most famous shopping and entertainment districts, known for its vibrant streets, K-beauty stores, fashion boutiques, street food, and nightlife.












The catholic Myeongdong Cathedral in Myeong-dong. 




Separated from Myeong-dong by a main road, stand the Youngnak Church and its 50th Anniversary Memorial building in Jeodong.







An interesting area is the Sewoon Sangga redevelopment zone, which includs the Sewoon Pedestrian Bridge and the surrounding Euljiro alleys. This area has a mix of old industrial buildings, electronics markets, urban renewal projects, and hidden graffiti spots.































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