FreePhoto: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Gwanghwamun Square
광화문광장
Plaza · Jongno-gu
A downtown plaza with Gyeongbokgung Palace as its backdrop. In summer the ground fountains and water channels invite splashing. Shaded rest areas, drinking fountains and toilets on site.
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Source: gwanghwamun.seoul.go.kr
Nearby in Jongno-gu
The Story of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin
FreeMuseum · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5)
An exhibition space in the heart of Gwanghwamun where history comes alive, devoted to King Sejong, the 4th king of Joseon, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Imjin War, the two figures Koreans most respect and take pride in.
Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun
FreeCulture space · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5), direct access from Exits 3, 4
Korea's largest bookstore. The reading table that seats 100 is a famous free refuge where you can sit and read for hours. Directly connected to Gwanghwamun Station.
Presseum Newspaper Museum
₩4,000Museum · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5)
Presseum occupies the 3rd and 4th floors of the Dong-A Media Center in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. It comprises a newspaper history hall, a special exhibition hall and a media screening hall.
Ilmin Museum of Art
₩8,000Art gallery · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5)
Built in 1926, the Ilmin Museum of Art building served as the Dong-A Ilbo headquarters for 66 years until 1992 and is designated Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 131.
Sejongno Park
FreePark · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5)
A green space along Sejong-daero, the nation's central axis (Gyeongbokgung Palace–Gwanghwamun–Sejong Center–Cheonggyecheon–Seoul Plaza). Once run-down and closed off with limited public access, it was reborn as an open park linked to Gwanghwamun Square, creating a new
Cheonggyecheon Stream
FreeStream & walk · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5)
A restored stream walk cutting through downtown. The sound of running water cools things in summer, but shade is scarce, so bring a hat and water.
Other plazas in Seoul
Seoul Plaza
FreeJung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2)
The lawn plaza in front of City Hall, host to many festivals and events, plus a winter ice rink. Little shade, so pair it with a walk along the Deoksugung stone wall road.
Seoul Arts Center World Music Fountain
Partly freeSeocho-gu · Nambu Bus Terminal Stn. (Line 3)
A free music fountain on the plaza of the Seoul Arts Center. Evening shows against Umyeonsan, with an open-air cafe mood.
Cheonggye Plaza
FreeJung-gu · Gwanghwamun Stn. (Line 5) / Jonggak Stn. (Line 1)
The entrance plaza where Cheonggyecheon begins. The Spring sculpture, fountains and night lighting are the draw, and it anchors the winter Seoul Lantern Festival.
DDP Dongdaemun Design Plaza Lawn
FreeJung-gu · Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Stn. (Lines 2, 4, 5)
Zaha Hadid's curving architecture, an LED rose field and an open lawn. The lighting at night gives it a future-city feel, and Dongdaemun's night market is next door.
GTX Yeonsin 849 Plaza, formerly Mulbit Park
FreeEunpyeong-gu · Yeonsinnae Stn. (Lines 3, 6)
A new landmark plaza at Yeonsinnae Station, created by expanding and remodelling the ageing Mulbit Park in time for the opening of the GTX-A line. A mixed-use culture park with an outdoor stage, a media wall and seasonal gardens, it gives local residents a wide-open place to rest.