VisitKorea does not guarantee the quality of products or services introduced on its site and is not responsible for any direct or indirect losses resulting from use of said products or services.
Address
172, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 세종대로 172 (세종로)
Type
Parks
Inquiries
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-120
Introduction
On August 1st, 2009, the redesigned Gwanghwamun Square opened to the public. With the inauguration of the square, Sejong-ro, located at the center of the 600-year-old historic city of Seoul, was transformed into a human-centered space that harmonizes with the beautiful scenery of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukaksan Mountain.
The close to 20,000m2 Gwanghwamun Square is located at the center of Sejong-ro which connects Gwanghwamun Gate and Cheonggye Square. The square is divided into the sections, “Recovering the History of Gwanghwamun Gate Plaza,” “Reenacting Yukjo Street Plaza,” “Korea Main Plaza,” “Civil Participation Urban Culture Plaza,” “Downtown Plaza” and “Cheonggyecheon Stream Connector.”
The “Recovering the History of Gwanghwamun Gate Plaza” section is at the entrance of the plaza, where a stone base called Woldae and a statue of Haetae, a mythical unicorn-lion that is said to protect palaces from fire, have been restored. Near Sejong-ro Park is “Reenacting Yukjo Street Plaza” where Yukjo Street, the main street of old Seoul (Formally known as Hanyang) was recreated. On the side is also a miniature depiction of Yukjo Street.
The Statue of King Sejong the Great has been relocated in the “Korea Main Plaza” where Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, is projected on a fountain water screen. Between the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin is the “Civil Participation Urban Culture Plaza” with a range of attractions and services including accommodation facilities for visitors, exhibition halls, elevators, a meeting plaza, and art galleries.
“Downtown Plaza,” located near the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, symbolizes Sejong-ro. The Square has water facilities such as a pond and pop-jet fountains. The “Cheonggyecheon Stream Connector” functions as a connecting walking path between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Gyeongbokgung Palace.
In addition, there is the “Memorial Waterway”, flowing underground water, which goes from both Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun subway stations to Cheonggyecheon Stream. Plus, behind the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin is “Sunken Square” which connects Gwanghwamun subway station and the ground allowing people to access the Square more easily.
Two statues of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin and Sejong the Great, who are great and influential people in Korean history, are situated at Gwanghwamun Square where the beatification ceremony will take place. Visitors can see “Waterways of History” and “King Sejong Story” exhibitions, the latter of which highlights the achievements of King Sejong and history of Hangeul.
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Architectural & Sculptural Highlights
The Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin was erected at the front of Gwanghwamun Square on April 27, 1968, in honor of the brave spirit and leadership of the Admiral. ...
King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Architectural & Sculptural Highlights
The King Sejong Statue was erected at the center of Gwanghawmun Square on Hangeul Day (October 9) of 2009. Sitting with a gentle smile on his face and a book in...
King Sejong Story (세종이야기)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Exhibition & Memorial Halls
King Sejong, the 4th king of the Joseon Dynasty (1397-1450, reigning from 1418-1450) was responsible for some of the most brilliant achievements in the history ...
The Story of Admiral Yi Sun-shin (충무공 이야기)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Exhibition & Memorial Halls
"If you are prepared to fight to the death, you will live. If you avoid battles to preserve your life, you will die." - Nanjung Ilgi (War Diary of Admiral Yi Su...
Olleh Square Dream Hall (올레스퀘어 드림홀)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Auditoriums
Jazz performances are held at the KT Art Hall every night for the unbelievably low price of 1,000 won per person. All proceeds from the events are donated to a ...
Somerset Palace Seoul (서머셋 팰리스 서울)[한국관광품질인증/Korea Quality]
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Short Term Rental
Located near Gwanghwamun Gate, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Somerset Palace Seoul is a great hotel to stay for both travel and business. Within walking distance are a num...
Center Mark Hotel (센터마크호텔)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Tourist Hotel
Located in Insa-dong, Center Mark Hotel is a business Hotel with 250 guest rooms.
Koreana Hotel (코리아나 호텔)
Region : Jung-gu Seoul
Type : Tourist Hotel
Koreana Hotel has been one of the top notch traveler's picks for more than 30 years, having business motto 'comfort for our customers.' The hotel is locate...
New Kukje Hotel (뉴국제호텔)
Region : Jung-gu Seoul
Type : Tourist Hotel
New Kukje Hotel has 142 guestrooms and several subsidiary facilities including a banquet hall, a men's sauna and a restaurant. Moreover, its location in central...
New Seoul Hotel (뉴서울호텔)
Region : Jung-gu Seoul
Type : Tourist Hotel
New Seoul Hotel is conveniently located in central Seoul near City Hall, providing guests with easy access to shopping, sightseeing, and more. The guestrooms ar...
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Japanese Food
At Samjeon Hoejeon Chobap, you can sit back and relax as fresh sushi dishes such as eel sushi, tuna sushi, salmon sushi, and shrimp sushi come by you on the con...
Great Shanghai (대상해)
Region : Jung-gu Seoul
Type : Chinese Food
Great Shanghai is a Chinese restaurant serving deliciously genuine Sichuan and Beijing-style cooking, with shark's fin directly imported from Sanji as their spe...
Yu Yuan (유 유안)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Chinese Food
With a name derived from Shanghai's beautiful garden, Yu Yuan displays the glamorous exuberance and abundance of Shanghai in the 1920s. Offered menus are mostly...
Danube (다뉴브)
Region : Jung-gu Seoul
Type : Western Food
Danube presents authentic Italian spaghetti, pizza, and Western-style steaks in the elegance of a European interior.
Baerlin (베어린)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Western Food
Opened in 2005 in the middle of Seoul, it’s the only authentic German restaurant in Korea. It’s a wonderful place to experience the German food culture. It’s a ...
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Duty Free Shops
Dongwha Duty Free Shop’s Purchasing Team only select the world’s best brands for sale. You can shop for the latest popular brands in perfume, cosmetics, accesso...
National Souvenir Center (Insa-dong) (한국관광명품점(인사동))
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Souvenir Shops
Operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Association, the National Souvenir Center has strict standards for the brands sold. Se...
Knife Gallery (칼 갤러리)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Shops/Malls
The only knife specialty shop in Korea, this Insadong gallery is home to over 6,000 knives from all over the world. They include traditional Korean and Japanese...
SM Duty Free (Seoul Branch) (SM면세점 (서울점))
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Duty Free Shops
SM Duty Free opened in Insa-dong, in the center of Seoul, as a new landmark to lead duty free shopping culture. It houses 490 brands and about 60,000 items incl...
Hanji Chueok (Recollections) (한지추억)
Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
Type : Craft Workshops
Hanji Chueok (Recollections) is one of the better-known craft shops in Insa-dong and has even been featured by a number of international magazines. Prepared usi...
Directions
[Subway]
1) City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1 & 2), Exit 3.
2) Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6 & 7.
3) Gwanghwamun Station (Seoul Subway Line 5), Exit 1, 2 & 8.
* Connected to the underground exit.
[Bus]
Red Bus: 5500-2, 9602, 9706, 9708, 9713
Blue Bus: 103, 150, 401, 402, 406, 408, 607,704
Green Bus: 0212, 1711, 7016, 7018, 7022, 8000
Village Bus: Jongno 09, Jongno 11