Wongudan Altar

Wongudan was built during the Joseon Dynasty to be an altar for performing divine harvest rituals. Located in central Seoul right near City Hall, it was designated Historic Site No. 157 in 1967. Through the past few centuries the altar was once called Hwandan and more recently Hwangudan. Now officially known as Wongudan Altar, Wongudan is located in close proximity to other major Seoul tourist attractions so it's convenient and easy to add a stop to Wongudan on a Seoul travel itinerary. The current Hwangudan Altar is a complex established in 1897 on the site of the old Nambyeolgung Palace. Its altar was built for Emperor Gojong's enthronement ceremony and rituals. The Japanese demolished the original complex in 1913, and a railway hotel was built on the site, reducing its size. Today, only the Hwangungu, the stone drum, and a stone gate with three arches remain preserved within the grounds of the Joseon Hotel.