Hyehwa

Understand

Hyehwa-dong, an administrative neighborhood located in Jongno-gu, Seoul Special City, derives its name from the Hyehwamun Gate located within the area. Legally, the district includes Hyehwa-dong, Myeongnyun 1-ga, Myeongnyun 2-ga, Myeongnyun 3-ga, Myeongnyun 4-ga, and part of Waryong-dong. The commercial district of Daehangno extends across both Hyehwa-dong and Ihwa-dong.

The Hyehwa-dong Community Center is well-known for being housed in a hanok, a traditional Korean building. The original community center was located along the main street of Daehangno, but in November 2006, it was relocated to its current hanok building. After remodeling, the former community center building became home to the Seoul Theater Center.

There is a "Philippine Village" in Hyehwa-dong, where many Filipinos reside. This community began forming in the 1990s, as Filipinos living in Korea started gathering every Sunday to attend Mass in Tagalog, celebrated by a Filipino priest at Hyehwa Catholic Church. Over time, as the Filipino population grew, a Sunday market catering to them was established, eventually leading to the formation of a village. For example, the Hyehwa-dong branch of Woori Bank, located at the Hyehwa-dong rotary, has been open on Sundays for a long time to handle remittances to the Philippines.

Get in

By bus

Many buses operate in Jongno-gu, facilitating smooth transportation throughout the district.

By Subway

Hyehwa Station on Subway Line 4 is available for use.

Currently, it is the station with the highest number of passengers on a single line within Jongno-gu. In the past, there was a significant gap compared to Jonggak Station, but starting in the late 2010s, the difference narrowed to a very small margin. Since 2021, the recovery of ridership after the decline due to COVID-19 has been faster, allowing it to overtake Jonggak Station. However, this applies only to single-line stations. When considering stations with multiple transfer lines, it still falls short of the dominance of Jongno 3-ga Station.

See

• 1 National Children's Science Center (국립어린이과학관), 215 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul National Children's Science Museum, ☏ +82 02-3668-3350. 9:30-17:30. The National Children's Science Center is a science museum in Seoul, South Korea, offering interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for children. It covers various topics such as space exploration, biology, and technology, providing an educational and fun environment for families and school groups. 2000₩. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁), Changgyeonggung Palace, 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ☏ +82 02-762-4868. 9:00-21:00. Changgyeonggung is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" of Seoul, built during the Joseon Dynasty. Originally constructed in the 15th century under King Seongjong, the palace served as a royal residence for queens and concubines. It has a rich history, having been expanded, damaged, and restored multiple times over the centuries. 1000₩. (updated Sep 2024)

Do

• 1 Aruto Small Theater (아루또 소극장), 4F, Yeongyeong Building, 48 Daehak-ro 8-ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ☏ +82 02-6012-2511. 10:00-18:00. Located in the Daehak-ro district, Aruto Small Theater is known for staging romantic comedies. Since 2023, the theater is showcasing the play "De-minus Back to Fall in Love," a lighthearted romantic comedy. This small venue offers a cozy setting for audiences to enjoy live theater in an informal atmosphere. (updated Sep 2024)

Eat

• 1 Yukmian (육미안), 182-1 Myeongnyun 2-ga, ☏ +82 0507-1449-1611. 12:00-23:00. Yukmian is a restaurant that offers beef noodle dishes, located near Daehak-ro. The menu features various cuts of beef served with noodles in a broth. The restaurant is known for its focus on quality ingredients and simple preparation. Due to its popularity, reservations may be required during busy hours. 27000₩. (updated Sep 2024)
• 2 a buckwheat-flavored restaurant (메밀향그집), 18, Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ☏ +82 0507-1360-3681. 11:00-22:00. This restaurant specializes in dishes made from buckwheat, offering a variety of traditional Korean meals. Located in the Daehak-ro area, it provides a menu that highlights buckwheat as a key ingredient, including noodles and pancakes. The simple setting and focus on buckwheat-based dishes attract those seeking a unique dining experience. 34000₩. (updated Sep 2024)