Jongno or Jong-ro ( ko, 종로), literally meaning "Bell Street", is a trunk road and one of the oldest major east–west thoroughfares in Seoul, South Korea. Jongno connects Gwanghwamun Plaza to

Dongdaemun Heunginjimun, literally "Gate of Rising Benevolence" or more commonly known as Dongdaemun, is one of The Eight Gates of Seoul in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, a prominent landmark in central Seoul, South Korea. The Korean name "Dongdaemun" means "Gr ...

. The area surrounding Jongno is a part of Downtown Seoul and one of the most prominent cultural, historical, and financial areas. Many important landmarks are located along its length, including the

Bigak Bigak is a pavilion near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul. The pavilion was built in 1902 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Emperor Gojong’s coronation and his 50th birthday, as well as the founding in 1897 of the Korean Empire. See also *Gwa ...

pavilion at Sejongno, the

Bosingak Bosingak is a large bell pavilion on Jongno in Seoul, South Korea. The bell in Bosingak gives Jongno its name, which literally means "bell street". It was originally constructed in 1396 but destroyed many times by both war and fire. It was desig ...

belfry (hence the street's name), Tapgol Park (Pagoda Park), the

Jongmyo Jongmyo may refer to: * Jongmyo (shrine), a kind of shrine in the East Asian cultural sphere * Jongmyo (Seoul) Jongmyo (Hangul: 종묘; Hanja: 宗廟) is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the perpetuation of memorial services for the deceased ki ...

royal ancestral shrine, and the Dongdaemun (Great East Gate). Seoul Subway Line 1 passes under Jongno. The western end of Jongno is serviced by Gwanghwamun Station ( Seoul Subway Line 5), and Jongno 3-ga Station is serviced by Subway Lines 1, 3, and 5. Because of the multitude of shops, stores, and groceries along the area, the word "Jongno" is often used in the Korean language to express "Town Square."

Famous places in Jongno

* Many of Korea's largest bookstores including the Kyobo Book Centre (near Sejongno), Youngpoong Bookstore, and Bandi & Luni's Bookstore (Jongno 1-ga) are located near Jongno. *

Jongno Tower Jongno Tower (Hangeul: 종로 타워) is a 33-story office building in Jongno, Seoul. Its top floor is equipped with a restaurant and bar which is famous for its view of Jongno and other areas of Seoul. The tower is located near Jonggak Station of ...

is a 33-story office building. Its top floor is equipped with a restaurant and bar which is famous for its view of Jongno and other areas of Seoul. The tower is located near Jonggak Station of Seoul Subway Line 1. * Insadong-gil, a street famous for its traditional attractions, including galleries, souvenir shops, and restaurants, is accessible directly from Jongno (Jongno 3-ga). * Cheonggyecheon flows just a block south of Jongno. * Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, one of the most famous multi-purpose theaters in Korea, lies near the intersection of Jongno and Sejongno. * The area around Jongno 3-ga Station is the origin of many famous movie theaters;

Dansungsa Dansungsa, established in 1907, was the first movie theatre in Korea. It is located in Jongno 3-''ga'', Seoul. ''Korea Loyal Flight'' became the theatre's first ever premiere in 1919. Chunsa Na Woon-gyu's Korean folk movie, ''Arirang'', follow ...

(the oldest in Korea, established in 1907),

The Piccadilly Cinema ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

(established in 1958),

Seoul Cinema 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 of ...

(established in 1978). * Pimatgol is a well-known alley lying just north of Jongno 1, 2, 3-ga. *

, which is more properly known as Heunginjimun, is one of the four gates of old Seoul. It is located at the east end of Jongno. * Dongdaemun Market, one of the best-known wholesale and retail shopping places in Korea, surrounds the area near

Jongno 5-ga Station Jongno 5(o)-ga Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 1. It is located underneath Jongno, a major street in downtown Seoul. Station layout Vicinity *Exit 1 : Dongdaemun Police Station *Exit 2 : *Exit 3 : Hyoje Elementary School *Exit ...

, Dongdaemun Stadium and

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station is a station on the Seoul Subway Line 2, Line 4 and Line 5. The huge Dongdaemun Market district is centered on this station and Dongdaemun Station, located to the north across Cheonggyecheon. The Lin ...

Notes and References

{{Seoul Streets in Seoul Tourist attractions in Seoul Jongno District