The gate has been damaged and restored numerous times throughout the years and really is a sight to see. Ethan and I visited the gate just before sundown. It was a great time to come because we were able to see the gate in the day time and also lit up right as the sun lowered under the horizon. There weren't very many people, which makes for a nice photo opp and less post work for me. Ha!
There weren't a ton of people here, however I spotted this family taking photos in front of the gate. The man had the camera as the women posed. I'm always on the look out for a possible photographer to grab a shot of Ethan and I, so I walked up to him and offered to take the shot of he and his family all in the photo together. I don't speak hangugeo, however it was easy to communicate my desire: I'll shoot you if you shoot me! He happily obliged and we were both able to get a great photo.
If you're visiting Seoul and are around Namdaemun (which I highly recommend adding to your itinerary; there are plenty of cool things to see, like the outdoor market and infamous camera street!), you'll definitely want to check out this gate. It's a quick stop and worth your time!
But just in case you're not planning to be in Seoul anytime soon, I've added the gate's historical information below for your convenience. You'll see it's been through quite a bit, yet appears very well kept, which serves as a testament to the gate's value to Seoul and the country of South Korea.
National Treature No. 1
Designated Dec. 20, 1962
Sungnyemun, the South Gate of Seoul, was erected in 1398, 7th year of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, as one of the four main gates of the capital city. Major repairs were done on the gate in 1448, the 30th years of King Seojong the Great, in 1479, the 10th year of king Seongjong, and during the reign of King Gojong (reg. 1863~1907), the second to the last king of Joseon. During the Joseon period, the gate was closed around 10 p.m. and opened around 4 a.m., at which times the bell installed in the gate house tolled to proclaim the closing and opening of the gate. At times of flood and drought, the king came to the gate to preside over prayer rituals invoking fair weather and rainfall, respectively.
The two-story gate house erected atop the gate wall has a sturdy internal structure and beautifully decorated early Joseon-style bracket system. Between 1907 and 1908, the city walls to the left and right of the gate were torn down by the Japanese, who had made Korea their protectorate in 1905 and exercised practically sovereign power.
The gate was damaged during the Korean War (1950-53), so from 1961 to 1963, it was taken completely apart, thoroughly repair, and fully reassembled. in February 2008, an arsonist set fire to the gate, almost entirely destroying the roof of the gate house, to the nation's great horror. Repair was planned and carried out for five years from 2008 to 2013, during which the city walls to the right and left of the gate were also restored.
Below is the street view of Sungnyemun Gate that I pulled from Google. It's no longer under construction, but I thought it'd be cool for you to see what it looked like when it was being restored between 2008-2013.
The Details
- What: Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) Gate in Seoul
- When: 09:00-18:00
June-August: 09:00–18:30
December-February: 09:00-17:30 - Where: 40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 중구 세종대로 40 (남대문로4가)
- Cost: Admission is free!
If you're taking the subway, the best route is to get off at Hoehyeon station. It's only a short walk from there. Happy travels!
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