[One Day Walk] Naksan Park Area Where Seoul's Past and Present Coexist

The area centered around Naksan Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, including Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), Heunginjimun Gate, and Marronnier Park, has become a resting space for Seoul citizens with various attractions. Walking from Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station to Hyehwa Station, you can encounter the diverse scenery they create at every moment.

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station was formerly called Dongdaemun Stadium Station, but after the Dongdaemun Stadium was removed in 2008, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park was established around Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), and the subway station name was changed accordingly. Designed by the world-renowned architect the late Zaha Hadid, DDP is famous for its futuristic form. It hosts various design-related events such as Seoul Fashion Week, and currently features exhibitions like "Cartier, Crystallization of Time," offering a space to enjoy diverse cultural experiences.

Heading north from DDP, you will find Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun). Among Seoul’s Four Great Gates, this gate has two distinctive features that set it apart from the others. First, it uniquely has a four-character name. Unlike Sungnyemun, Donuimun, and Sukjeongmun, the particle 'ji (之)' was added to its name to boost its energy, as it was believed to be weak. The other characteristic is its arc-shaped outer fortress. The gate is surrounded like a jar outside, allowing defenders to attack enemies entering it from multiple directions, like "mice in a jar."

Citizens are watching a street performance at the street performance festival held at Marronnier Park in Daehangno, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The next destination, Naksan Park, offers a unique walking trail along the remaining Hanyang Fortress Wall on the low mountain of Naksan in the city center. You can enjoy various urban landscapes such as Namsan along with the historic fortress wall and diverse trees. Nearby is Ihwa-dong Village, famous for its murals.

Descending from Naksan Park, you will reach Marronnier Park. Located at the heart of Daehangno, Seoul’s representative youth street, the park is named after the marronnier tree, which in French means a tree bearing chestnut-like fruits. However, most of the trees in Marronnier Park are actually Japanese horse chestnuts, which look quite similar but are a different species.