Jongno or Jong-ro () is a trunk road and one of the oldest major east–west thoroughfares in

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

, South Korea. Jongno connects Gwanghwamun Plaza to Dongdaemun. 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 pavilion at Sejongno, the Bosingak belfry (hence the street's name), Tapgol Park (Pagoda Park), the Jongmyo royal ancestral shrine, and the Dongdaemun (Great East Gate).

Seoul Subway Line 1 Seoul Subway Line 1 (dubbed ''The Dark Blue Line'') of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway is a rapid transit and commuter rail line which links central Seoul, South Korea to Yeoncheon station, Yeoncheon in the northeast, Incheon in the southwest, an ...

passes under Jongno. The western end of Jongno is serviced by Gwanghwamun Station (

Seoul Subway Line 5 Seoul Subway Line 5 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, dubbed ''the purple line'', is a long line crossing from west to the east across the Seoul National Capital Area, South Korea. It is one of two subway lines in Seoul to cross ''under'' the Han ...

), 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 Sejongno (), officially Sejong-daero () is a street that runs through Jongno District, downtown Seoul, South Korea. It is named after King Sejong the Great of Joseon. The street is 600 meters in length, but due to its central location it is o ...

), Youngpoong Bookstore, and Bandi & Luni's Bookstore (Jongno 1-ga) are located near Jongno. * Jongno Tower 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 Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

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 (the oldest in Korea, established in 1907), The Piccadilly Cinema (established in 1958), Seoul Cinema (established in 1978). * Pimatgol is a well-known alley lying just north of Jongno 1, 2, 3-ga. * Dongdaemun, 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 Dongdaemun Market () or Dongdaemun (abbreviated DDM) is a large commercial district in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea.Jongno 5-ga Station, Dongdaemun Stadium and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station.

Notes and References

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

Famous places in Jongno

See also

Notes and References