Free if eligiblePhoto: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Jongmyo Shrine
종묘
Historic site · Jongno-gu
A World Heritage shrine housing the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, with a meditative path through dense woods. Self-guided visits on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are the most relaxed.
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Source: royal.khs.go.kr
Nearby in Jongno-gu
Korea Saekdong Museum
₩6,000Museum · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Lines 1, 3, 5)
Between Changdeokgung Palace and Jongno 3-ga Station, the Korea Saekdong Museum opened on March 5, 2014, based on some 30 years of research into saekdong striped fabric and the collection amassed by researcher Kim Ok-hyun
Tteok Museum
₩3,000Museum · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Lines 1, 3, 5)
■ Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00 (last entry 17:30).
Chunwondang Museum of Korean Medicine
₩2,000Museum · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Lines 1, 3, 5)
Changgyeonggung Palace
Free if eligibleHistoric site · Hyehwa Stn. (Line 4) Exit 4
A palace with a Grand Greenhouse and the Chundangji pond. Linked internally to Changdeokgung, and beautifully lit during night openings.
Doosan Gallery
FreeArt gallery · Jongno 5-ga Stn. (Line 1)
A non-profit institution opened in 2007, Doosan Gallery is based in Seoul and runs exhibitions along with programmes at home and abroad such as the Doosan Curator Workshop and Doosan Residency.
Seoul Living Culture Center Nakwon
FreeCulture space · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Line 5)
A music-focused community space beneath the Nakwon Musical Instrument Arcade. It runs an instrument lending scheme for the public and offers free practice rooms.
Other historic sites in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3) Exit 5
Joseon's foremost royal palace. Free on the last Wednesday of the month or in hanbok. The changing of the guard ceremony (10:00 and 14:00) is always free.
Changdeokgung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 3
A UNESCO World Heritage site famed for autumn foliage. Free entry applies to the main palace only; the Secret Garden requires a separate booking.
Deoksugung Palace
Free if eligibleJung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2) Exit 2
A downtown palace where Seokjojeon sits alongside traditional halls. Open until 9pm, it's popular for evening strolls and the stone wall road; the changing of the guard is free.
Jogyesa Temple
FreeJongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 6, Jonggak Stn. (Line 1) Exit 2
Head temple of the Jogye Order in the heart of the city. Shade from centuries-old scholar trees, seasonal lanterns and chrysanthemum displays. A quiet place to rest, close to Insadong.
Myeongdong Cathedral
FreeJung-gu · Myeongdong Stn. (Line 4) Exit 8, Euljiro 1-ga Stn. (Line 2) Exit 5
The Gothic cathedral that symbolises Korean Catholicism. The heated and cooled sanctuary is a good break from Myeongdong shopping, and the basement 1898 arcade has cafes and restaurants.