Seoul’s Historic Hwangudan Gate Reopens to Public After 112 Years
Jason Yim / Published July 2, 2025 10:36 PM
Jason Yim
SEOUL — For the first time in 112 years, the main gate of Hwangudan — a former imperial altar in the heart of Seoul — is now fully open to the public, with 24-hour access following a major restoration and landscaping project led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Originally built in 1897 during the reign of Emperor Gojong, Hwangudan served as a ceremonial site where the Korean Empire performed state rituals, including the revived ancient practice of wonguje — a rite of offering sacrifices to heaven. This ritual, rooted in the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), was abolished during the Joseon Dynasty due to Confucian traditions, but was reestablished by Gojong to assert Korea’s sovereignty on the international stage.
On Wednesday, city officials announced the completion of the Hwangudan Open Garden Project, which removed the fences and walls that had previously blocked access to the gate area. The project has transformed the space into a public garden, highlighting both its historical significance and natural beauty.
The main gate of Hwangudan, a former imperial altar in central Seoul, transformed into an open garden for the public [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
“Hwangudan represents a powerful symbol of Korea’s national identity and historical sovereignty,” the city said in a statement. “We hope the new space becomes a place where people can connect with both history and nature.”
The historical site has endured a turbulent past. During the Japanese colonial period, much of Hwangudan was dismantled in 1913 to build the Chosun Hotel. By 1967, only three original structures remained: the octagonal Hwanggungu shrine, the stone altar, and a stone gate with three arches. Over time, the site was often mistaken for part of the hotel’s garden.
The main gate itself had been relocated and was functioning as the entrance to a hotel in Ui-dong, northern Seoul, until its rediscovery in 2007. It was returned to its current location in 2009, though not exactly to its original spot, which is believed to have faced the main entrance of the Chosun Hotel.
The new garden space features barrier-free walkways and is lit at night, ensuring it is accessible to all visitors. It also incorporates traditional Korean aesthetics with plantings of Chinese plum, crape myrtle, and peonies. At the entrance, an inscription drawn from the Joseon Sillok reads, “Without proclaiming it to the world, the world will know the name of Daehan,” referencing the 1897 proclamation of the Korean Empire.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized that the garden is intended as a peaceful public space that blends historical awareness with leisure. “We hope this becomes a cultural landmark where history, nature and everyday life intersect,” the city said.
Sayart / Jason Yim yimjongho1969@gmail.com
SEOUL — For the first time in 112 years, the main gate of Hwangudan — a former imperial altar in the heart of Seoul — is now fully open to the public, with 24-hour access following a major restoration and landscaping project led by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Originally built in 1897 during the reign of Emperor Gojong, Hwangudan served as a ceremonial site where the Korean Empire performed state rituals, including the revived ancient practice of wonguje — a rite of offering sacrifices to heaven. This ritual, rooted in the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), was abolished during the Joseon Dynasty due to Confucian traditions, but was reestablished by Gojong to assert Korea’s sovereignty on the international stage.
On Wednesday, city officials announced the completion of the Hwangudan Open Garden Project, which removed the fences and walls that had previously blocked access to the gate area. The project has transformed the space into a public garden, highlighting both its historical significance and natural beauty.
The main gate of Hwangudan, a former imperial altar in central Seoul, transformed into an open garden for the public [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]
“Hwangudan represents a powerful symbol of Korea’s national identity and historical sovereignty,” the city said in a statement. “We hope the new space becomes a place where people can connect with both history and nature.”
The historical site has endured a turbulent past. During the Japanese colonial period, much of Hwangudan was dismantled in 1913 to build the Chosun Hotel. By 1967, only three original structures remained: the octagonal Hwanggungu shrine, the stone altar, and a stone gate with three arches. Over time, the site was often mistaken for part of the hotel’s garden.
The main gate itself had been relocated and was functioning as the entrance to a hotel in Ui-dong, northern Seoul, until its rediscovery in 2007. It was returned to its current location in 2009, though not exactly to its original spot, which is believed to have faced the main entrance of the Chosun Hotel.
The new garden space features barrier-free walkways and is lit at night, ensuring it is accessible to all visitors. It also incorporates traditional Korean aesthetics with plantings of Chinese plum, crape myrtle, and peonies. At the entrance, an inscription drawn from the Joseon Sillok reads, “Without proclaiming it to the world, the world will know the name of Daehan,” referencing the 1897 proclamation of the Korean Empire.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government emphasized that the garden is intended as a peaceful public space that blends historical awareness with leisure. “We hope this becomes a cultural landmark where history, nature and everyday life intersect,” the city said.
