Changuimun, City gate in Seoul, South Korea.
Changuimun is a city gate in Seoul constructed from stone with a wooden gatehouse structure. It marks the northwest boundary of the historical wall that once enclosed the entire city.
The gate was built in 1396 during the Joseon Dynasty and was reconstructed in 1741 following damage from earlier Japanese invasions. This rebuild reflects the importance of maintaining the city's defensive structures through centuries.
The wooden interior beams display carved chicken designs that serve as protective symbols in Korean building traditions. These carvings reflect the spiritual beliefs that shaped how people decorated important structures in the city.
The gate sits in Jongno District and is accessible on foot from central Seoul, especially if you start from nearby Jonggak Station. Wear comfortable shoes as the surrounding area has several steps and uneven terrain.
It remains the oldest surviving minor gate among the four secondary gates that completed Seoul's historical fortress wall system. Its survival spanning more than 6 centuries makes it one of the rarest remnants from this era.
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