Gwanghwamun Square & Cheonggyecheon
광화문광장·청계천
The central axis square of Seoul, home to statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, extending east to the Cheonggyecheon Stream trail, an urban stream about 11 km long.
Gwanghwamun Square lies in front of Gyeongbokgung’s main gate, Gwanghwamun. After its 2022 renovation, it was expanded into a tree-shaded pedestrian plaza. The seated bronze statue of King Sejong and the bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin are landmarks, and underground there is a free exhibition hall, the Sejong Story and Chungmugong Story. Cheonggye Plaza, on the southeast side of the square, is the starting point of Cheonggyecheon. This stream, once covered by an elevated road, was restored in 2005; it is about 10.9 km long, with paths, stone bridges and a waterfall wall along its banks. At night, the lights reflect on the water, and the Seoul Lantern Festival is held here every November and December. It is open all day and free. Take Subway Line 5 to Gwanghwamun Station, and from there you can walk along Cheonggyecheon all the way to Gwangjang Market and Dongdaemun.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Deoksugung Palace & Stonewall Road
- Jogyesa Temple
- Myeongdong
- Insadong
- Sungnyemun (Namdaemun)
- Namdaemun Market
- MMCA Seoul
- Gyeongbokgung Palace