Maps & guides The Gwanghwamun area, named for the landmark gate that marks the entrance of historic Gyeongbokgung Palace, is Seoul’s “old” downtown and where you’ll find Seoul’s enchanting royal palaces as well as other historical and cultural sites, such as Insa-dong, Bukchon, and Jeong-dong.
Map 1 GWANGHWAMUN AREA A
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Line 1
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Line 8
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Line 2
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Line 9
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Metro
Tip
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Line 3
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Bundang Line
Line 4
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Jungang Line
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Line 5
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Airport Railroad
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Line 6
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Gyeongui Line
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Line 7
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Sinbundang Line
If you’re lost, seek out a nearby Tourist Information Center (marked on our Maps & Guides) or one of the helpful tourist information guides, easily recognized by their red uniforms with an “i” of them.
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IP&I www.ipidc.co.kr C2 02-735-1135 Change your smile in a single day
Samcheong-dong
Restaurants & Bars Shops
Bukchon Hanok Village
National Folk Museum
Museums & Galleries Hotels Clubs & Theaters
Ca'Del Lupo
Etc. Coupon Affiliates
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Cheongwadae (Office of the President)
Lost?
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Bärlin C2 02-722-5622
Somerset Palace Seoul C2 02-6730-8888
Secure and comfortable accommodation with inspiring views of www.somerset.com Gyeongbokgung.
Authentic German cuisine in the heart of Seoul
Duomo Books & Cooks
Tongin Market Seochon
Jeongdok Public Library
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Gyeongbokgung Palace
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Gastro TONG
Changgyeonggung Palace
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Wooilyo Gallery Shop
Bukchon Art Hall National Palace Museum of Korea (Gogungddurak) Seoul Selection Bookshop Tosokchon Changdeokgung Palace Gwanghwamun GCS The Kitchen International Gamrodang Salvatore Hwanghakjeong Bldg. & Bar Farmers (Archery Practice Site) Barn M Gyeongbokgung Stn. Somerset 1 Anguk Stn. Sajik Park M Jongmyo Palace Seoul 2 National Museum of Korean Gwanghwamun Sungkok Contemporary History 3 Shrine Art Museum Art Hall (PAN) National Museum of Unhyeongung Korean Contemporary History New York Ssamziegil Palace Gwanghwamun Square Dongnimmun Stn. Wholistic Care
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Daelim Contemporary Art Museum Cafè Earthlings
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Insa-dong Jogyesa Temple Gongpyeong-dong Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Kkomjangeo KT Olleh Square
Embassy of the United States
Ilpumdang B3 02-733-4949
Delicious Japanese shabu shabu and sukiyaki hot pot dishes made using only the finest quality, freshest ingredients
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Independence Gate
Gwanghwamunjip
Seoul Museum of History
www.shinhan.com Shinhan Bank Seoul Global Center
Shinhan Bank Seoul Global Center B3 02-773-3131 The first branch in Korea exclusively for international residents
Ilmin Museum of Art Koreana Hotel
CINEMA JEONG-DONG (NANTA)
La Cuisine
Franciscan School CHONGDONG THEATER (MISO)
Munhwailbo Hall Seodaemun Stn. M
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The British Embassy
Royal palaces
10:00 am
The Gwanghwamun area’s biggest attractions are its royal palaces. Located right at the end of Gwanghwamun Square B2, Gyeongbokgung Palace B2 is the most monumental and probably the easiest to visit and explore. To experience the epitome of Korean traditional architecture, though, head to Changdeokgung Palace D2 , with its spectacular, UNESCO-registered gardens, the most beautiful in Korea. Lunch Plan A Insa-dong/Bukchon
01:00 pm 02:00pm
Many international visitors head to Insa-
Yangmiok Euljiro 3-ga Stn.
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Euljiro 1-ga Stn. Inje Univ. Stress Center
Seoul Plaza City Hall Stn. M M
The Plaza Hotel
Appenzeller Noble Memorial Museum Kuryeo Samgyetang French Institute Ohyangjokbal
EXPLORING GWANGHWAMUN
Woo Lae Oak
Press Center Seoul Global Center(3F) City Hall
Deoksugung Palace
Seoul Museum of Art
dong (see Map 2 ), a bustling neighborhood of galleries, workshops, antique stores, teahouses and Korean restaurants. For a truly memorable experience, though, spend your afternoon exploring the quaint alleyways of the Bukchon neighborhood (see Map 3 ), home to Seoul’s largest collection of Korean-style hanok homes.
Myungbo Art Hall Myeong-dong
Gwanghwamun Square
07:30 pm
In the evening, stop by Gwanghwamun Square B2 , which is lit up at night. The area around the square is one of Seoul’s most interesting, with palaces, museums, performing arts venues and shops.
RECOMMENDED EATERIES Plan B Jeong-dong
02:00pm
Another neighborhood worth exploring is Jeong-dong B4, Seoul’s historic legation quarter, where you’ll find lovely old churches, schools and diplomatic compounds. Also part of Jeong-dong is fascinating Deoksugung Palace B4, with its eclectic Korean and Western architecture. Dinner
05:30 pm
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Cheonggyecheon Stream
National Art Museum, Deoksugung
Jeong-dong
Vabien Suites
Nagwon Arcade
Piccadilly Theater Kyobo Book Centre Jongno Cheongjinok Danseongsa Tower Tapgol Park Memorial / The.Me / M Jongno 3-ga Stn. Monument Mijin Memilguksu M M Jonggak Stn. Woori Nara to Emperor YP Books Gojong Seoul Theater (Jump) TomaTillo Cheonggye Cine Core Plaza
Indie Space Kumho Art Hall Gwanghwamun Stn. M Dongwha Duty Free Shop Cine Cube Seoul City Tour Bus
Gyeonghuigung Palace
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Tteok Museum (Institute of Traditional Korean Food)
TomaTillo C3 (T. 02-734-9225) An outstanding Cali-Mex restaurant with branches here and in Itaewon and Gangnam.
Farmers Barn D2 (T. 02-743-9233) Top-of-the-line handmade hamburgers with organic ingredients for a fresh taste.
Gwanghwamunjip B3 (T. 02-739-7737) One of the most famous kimchi stew (gimchi jjigae) restaurants in the area.
Ohyangjokbal B4 (T. 02-753-4755)
Kim Sam Bo
Some of the best jokbal (boiled pig’s trotters) in Seoul. Comes with rice-cake soup, too! Near Seoul City Hall.
Gongpyeong-dong Kkomjangeo C3 (T. 02-738-1769) Barbecue-broiled eel and pork chitterlings in a retro interior. Near Jonggak Station (Line 1).
The.Me C3 (T. 02-2075-6611) They don’t serve many side dishes here, but the Korean beef they serve is top-rate. On the third floor of Le Meilleur Jongno Town.
Cheongjinok C3 (T. 02-735-1690) They’ve been doing haejangguk (Korean hangover soup) since 1937. First floor of Le Meilleur Jongno Town.
Tosokchon B2 (T. 02-737-7444) Seoul’s best-known purveyor of samgyetang (ginseng-chicken soup). Always full. Not far from Gyeongbokgung Palace.