Along with Hyehwamun (the Northeast Gate), Changuimun served as a major portal for those exiting the walled city of Seoul, then known as Hanyang (한양; 漢陽) to travel north.

Visitors may also carefully view the wooden gatehouse above the gate, but are not allowed inside, and should not approach too closely due to a laser alarm system (July 2012).

The wooden rafters on the interior of the gate are decorated with chickens, which were known as enemies of the centipede.

[4] This is in contrast to Hyehwamun, whose rafters are decorated with the phoenix, enemies of small birds.

Very close to Changuimun are memorials to two people who lost their lives defending South Korea during the Blue House Raid on January 21, 1968: Superintendent General Choi Gyu-sik (see image below); and the Assistant Inspector Officer, Jung Jong-su.