Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun)흥인지문(동대문)

About this place

Heunginjimun, far better known as Dongdaemun or East Gate, is the eastern gate of the Joseon-era fortress wall that once ringed Seoul. It was first raised in 1396, rebuilt in 1453, and the structure standing today dates from 1869. What sets it apart is the ongseong, a semicircular outer wall wrapped around the front of the gate to strengthen its defence — the only one of Seoul's eight gates to have one — while the two-storey pavilion, five bays across the front and two deep, is a clear example of late Joseon construction. It was designated a Treasure on 21 January 1963, and the Korea Heritage Service's national heritage portal now lists it without a designation number, simply as Treasure Heunginjimun Gate, Seoul. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza, the Dongdaemun markets and Dongmyo Flea Market are all within walking distance, which makes the gate easy to fold into a downtown route.

Good to know

Address

288 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hours

Always open

The gate stands on an island in the middle of the road where Jong-ro meets Cheonggyecheon, with no ticket office and no entrance to pass through; the Korea Tourism Organization lists it as free and states no opening hours or closing day. The plaza around the gate and the outside of the ongseong wall can be walked at any hour, and the gate is floodlit after dark. The upper pavilion is not open as a matter of course and can only be climbed during events announced separately by the Korea Heritage Service or Jongno-gu. Jongno-gu manages the site; enquiries +82-2-2148-4166.

Sources

Confirmed 2 October 2026

• english.visitkorea.or.kr

Find more photos

Photo spots nearby

• Dongmyo Flea Market9 min by transit
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza10 min by transit
• Changsin-dong Sewing Street10 min by transit
• Gwangjang Market15 min by transit
• Gwanghwamun Square15 min by transit
• Ikseon-dong Hanok Street16 min by transit