Changuimun (Hangul 창의문, Hanja 彰義門; also known as Northwest Gate) is one of the

Eight Gates of Seoul The Eight Gates of Seoul are eight historical gates that were located in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea, which surrounded the city in the Joseon Dynasty. Six of these gates exist today (2018). All eight gates were originally built betwee ...

in the Fortress Wall of

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

, which surrounded the city in the

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and re ...

. The gate is also known as Buksomun (북소문, “North Small Gate”) and Jahamun (자하문).

History

Changuimun was originally built in 1396. Along with Hyehwamun (the Northeast Gate), Changuimun served as a major portal for those exiting the walled city of Seoul, then known as Hanyang (한양, 漢陽) to travel north. (

Sukjeongmun Sukjeongmun (; also known as North Gate) is one of the Eight Gates of Seoul in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea, which surrounded the city in the Joseon Dynasty. The gate is also known as Bukdaemun (, “North Big Gate”). It was bui ...

, the North Gate, had a largely ceremonious function.) The wooden gatehouse above Changuimun was burned down during the 16th century

invasions by Japan An invasion is a military offensive in which large numbers of combatants of one geopolitical entity aggressively enter territory owned by another such entity, generally with the objective of either: conquering; liberating or re-establishing con ...

, but was rebuilt in 1740 or 1741. The gatehouse is currently the oldest gatehouse of those on the “Four Small Gates” (사소문) in the Fortress Wall of Seoul. The name Changuimun means literally “Showing the Correct Thing Gate.”

Preservation

Changuimun is located in

Jongno-gu Bosingak bell pavilion Jongno District () is a district () in central Seoul, South Korea. It takes its name from a major local street, Jongno, which means "Bell Road". Characteristics Jongno District has been the center of the city for 600 yea ...

, Buam-dong,

. It can be accessed easily via taking subway line 1 to Jonggak Station exit 3, then taking bus 7022 at Jeil Bank, and getting off at Jahamun Tunnel. Visitors to the gate today are allowed access to the front and the back of the gate, and under the gate itself. Visitors may also carefully view the wooden gatehouse above the gate, but are not allowed inside, and should not approach too closely due to a laser alarm system (July 2012). If approaching the gate from the west, visitors notice there is a gate-like tunnel leading up to the gate itself. (See image below.) The gate is known for being in a very early state of preservation, compared with the rest of the Eight Gates of Seoul. The wooden rafters on the interior of the gate are decorated with chickens, which were known as enemies of the centipede. This is in contrast to Hyehwamun, whose rafters are decorated with the phoenix, enemies of small birds. Very close to Changuimun are memorials to two people who lost their lives defending South Korea during the Blue House Raid on January 21, 1968: Superintendent General Choi Gyu-sik (see image below); and the Assistant Inspector Officer, Jung Jong-su. Visitors can walk through the passageway to view gate. People are allowed to go up the stairs.

Images

References

{{Eight Gates of Seoul Gates in Korea Gates in South Korea Buildings and structures in Seoul History of Seoul