Gwanghwamun: the square, Sejong’s story, and the palace gate

Statues above, an exhibition below

Gwanghwamun Square occupies ground where Joseon government offices stood, and the visit centers on King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Their statues share the open space with ponds, fountains, a Haechi statue, and a grass plaza. Underground, the Story of King Sejong explains his achievements with storytelling and touch screens. Entrances are behind the Sejong statue, on the Sejong Center side, and at KT Hall, and the listing places the exhibition at B 175 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu.

The square at night, the palace next door

The square is listed as open 24 hours throughout the year. That statement is about the outdoor square, not an exhibition timetable. Gyeongbokgung is the related visit. The official route starts at Gwanghwamun, the main south gate, and includes Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall, and Gyeonghoeru, the banquet pavilion. Geunjeongjeon hosted coronations, meetings with officials, and receptions for foreign envoys. Gyeonghoeru hosted royal banquets and foreign guests. Participants on the walking-tour page pay their own admission, cultural-experience, and transportation costs, so the palace is a separate plan from standing in the square.

For a full-day route from the palace area through Bukchon, optional Insadong, and Gwangjang Market, see Traditional Seoul in One Day.

Two meals with different clocks

Gwanghwamun Jip, at 12, Saemunan-ro 5-gil, is the kimchi jjigae stop, listed from 09:00 – 21:00 and closed on Seollal and Chuseok. Ilpumdang, at 25 Sejong-daero 23-gil, serves shabu-shabu and sukiyaki in a bonito-and-kelp broth, with rice porridge or noodles. Service runs 11:30-15:00 and 17:00-22:00, and it also closes on Seollal and Chuseok. The break between Ilpumdang's sittings is why those windows matter. Neither restaurant address is the square.

Line 5, then a choice of doors

Gwanghwamun Plaza is listed at Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5, exits 1 and 2. A separate note gives a 10 minute walk from Exit 2 to Gyeongbokgung. Exit 2 is the palace connection. The exhibition entrances remain the statue, the Sejong Center side, and KT Hall.

Sleeping at the intersection

Koreana Hotel sits at the Gwanghwamun fourway intersection, at 135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu. The listing includes Western-style rooms and Korean-style ondol rooms. That intersection is the area cue. The hotel and the underground exhibition use different Sejong-daero addresses.

Map and Key Locations

The cards cover the Sejong exhibition, Gwanghwamun Jip, Ilpumdang, and Koreana Hotel.

Photo credits

Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul (26259210037).jpg by Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0. File page.

Gwanghwamun Square 20220806 06.jpg by Republic of Korea, CC BY-SA 2.0. File page.

Diagram: Kignal planning card. Not a photograph.