Wongudan(Temple of heaven in Korea) was a historically important structure at the end of the Daehan Empire, but it was damaged in 1913 by Japan and has not been properly evaluated since then. Yet, following the example of Temple of heaven in China, Wongudan is an edifice located near to the main palaces(Kyeong-un Palace) downtown in Seoul and built in an appropriate manner to the topography and urban features on the topology. This structure was started to be built in 1897 and the repair was conducted over seven years or so. Nevertheless, the limited site of the structure incurred frequent conflicts with its neighboring private houses, and when the main gate of Wongudan was moved to Sogong Street, the passages south of the structure were so narrow that its reconstruction was finally reduced. Till 1900, Hwangkungwoo including initial Wongudan had been completed, and Wongudan was restored for the second step in 1901 and properly remodeled in 1903. In 1913, however, Japan built Joseon Hotel on the site of Wongudan and converted some of its affiliate structures like the shrine into the hotel subsidiaries. Such a state was continued till 1967 after the emancipation of Korea. And when the hotel was newly built, all the structures were demolished except for Hwangkungwoo, stone drum podium, and three archi-gate of the Hwangkungwoo. Lack in the recognition and investigation of cultural assets led to the destruction of Wongudan's affiliate structures. Currently, it is difficult to restore and investigate the cultural assets since the imperial palaces are connected to the plot of Joseon Hotel, which is a private property. The extant photos, maps, and documents show the Wongudan space, Hwangkungwoo spaces, and part of the shrine space. It calls for further research into the remaining spaces of the edifice including its eastern wing.

Wongudan(Temple of heaven in Korea) was a historically important structure at the end of the Daehan Empire, but it was damaged in 1913 by Japan and has not been properly evaluated since then. Yet, following the example of Temple of heaven in China, Wongudan is an edifice located near to the main palaces(Kyeong-un Palace) downtown in Seoul and built in an appropriate manner to the topography and urban features on the topology. This structure was started to be built in 1897 and the repair was conducted over seven years or so. Nevertheless, the limited site of the structure incurred frequent conflicts with its neighboring private houses, and when the main gate of Wongudan was moved to Sogong Street, the passages south of the structure were so narrow that its reconstruction was finally reduced. Till 1900, Hwangkungwoo including initial Wongudan had been completed, and Wongudan was restored for the second step in 1901 and properly remodeled in 1903. In 1913, however, Japan built Joseon Hotel on the site of Wongudan and converted some of its affiliate structures like the shrine into the hotel subsidiaries. Such a state was continued till 1967 after the emancipation of Korea. And when the hotel was newly built, all the structures were demolished except for Hwangkungwoo, stone drum podium, and three archi-gate of the Hwangkungwoo. Lack in the recognition and investigation of cultural assets led to the destruction of Wongudan's affiliate structures. Currently, it is difficult to restore and investigate the cultural assets since the imperial palaces are connected to the plot of Joseon Hotel, which is a private property. The extant photos, maps, and documents show the Wongudan space, Hwangkungwoo spaces, and part of the shrine space. It calls for further research into the remaining spaces of the edifice including its eastern wing.

Wongudan(Temple of heaven in Korea), Daehan Empire, Hwangkungwoo