Jongno's Gyeongbokgung, Gyeonghuigung, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Gwanghwamun Mijin: A Leisurely Palace and Alley Walk
From beating the crowds at Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon during peak hours to quiet Gyeonghuigung and hanok stays in Seochon
Comparison table at a glance
| Jongno area | Key sights | Closed | Vibe | Best time to visit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun | Gyeongbokgung, Dongsipjagak, Gwanghwamun Mijin | Gyeongbokgung every Tuesday | The majesty of Joseon's main palace and buckwheat noodles with a 70-year tradition | Morning 09:00–12:00 |
| Bukchon and Samcheong-dong | Bukchon Hanok Village | Open year-round (visits recommended 10:00–17:00) | Tiled-roof alleys and downtown panoramas | Morning 10:00–11:30 or afternoon |
| Sinmun-ro Gyeonghuigung | Gyeonghuigung, Gyeonghuigung Sungjeongjeon, Gyeonghuigung Park | Every Monday (free admission) | The quietest forest-path palace in the city | Afternoon 14:00–16:30 |
| Seochon and Hyoja-dong stays | Naejasanghoe, Memory Stay Hyoja, STAY dayoff | Varies by business | Alley cafes at the foot of Inwangsan and private hanok and stylish stays | Evening walks and a one-night stay |
1. A Royal Walk Starting at Gwanghwamun: Gyeongbokgung, Dongsipjagak, and Bukchon Hanok Village
The most iconic starting point for a trip to Jongno in Seoul is Gwanghwamun and Gyeongbokgung. After touring the grand stone terrace of Geunjeongjeon, the pond at Gyeonghoeru, and the four-season scenery of Hyangwonjeong, take a close look at 'Dongsipjagak,' the watchtower standing alone at the end of the wall east of Gwanghwamun, and the former extent of the palace walls comes vividly into view.
Exit through Gyeongbokgung's east gate (Geonchunmun) or toward the National Folk Museum of Korea, cross Samcheong-dong-gil, and you reach Bukchon Hanok Village (Gahoe-dong and Gye-dong), a hanok residential area of the 600-year-old capital. From the gently sloping alleys, the view of Gyeongbokgung and Namsan Tower beyond layer upon layer of tiled roofs is a one-of-a-kind cityscape you can only see in Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung Palace · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip Bukchon Hanok Village is a neighborhood where residents actually live, so follow quiet-visit etiquette, and visit right after 10 a.m. for the most pleasant stroll.
2. Unexpected Calm in the Heart of the City: Gyeonghuigung and Sungjeongjeon
If you want to escape the crowds at Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon and walk and reflect at your own pace, head to Gyeonghuigung, west of Gwanghwamun. Once the second palace (the West Palace) of the late Joseon period, Gyeonghuigung is free to enter yet never crowded, making it a hidden gem for palace strolls.
Pass through Heunghwamun and walk along the pine forest path of Gyeonghuigung Park, and you'll find the main hall 'Gyeonghuigung Sungjeongjeon' sitting neatly atop a high stone terrace, along with Seoam (behind Taeryeongjeon), where spring water wells up from a rock cliff, offering a peace so deep you forget you're in the middle of busy downtown Seoul.
Gyeonghuigung Palace · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip The Seoul Museum of History sits right next to Gyeonghuigung, so you can naturally follow your palace walk with free indoor exhibitions.
3. Buckwheat Noodles at Gwanghwamun Mijin, Open Since 1954, and Stylish Stays in Seochon and Hyoja-dong
The joy of a Jongno walk is completed by old eateries that have endured for decades and stylish alley spaces. Gwanghwamun Mijin, at the entrance to Pimatgol, draws food lovers in every season with its pan memil, chewy buckwheat noodles dipped in a rich, savory anchovy-and-kelp broth served in a kettle.
In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely coffee at alley cafes in Seochon west of Gyeongbokgung (Naejasanghoe, etc.), then stay at a cozy lodging around Hyoja-dong and Seochon (Memory Stay Hyoja, STAY dayoff, etc.) for a Seoul staycation, strolling past Inwangsan and along Gyeongbokgung's stone-wall road under the night sky.
Mijin · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip At the weekday lunch peak (11:30–13:00), lines of nearby office workers get long at Gwanghwamun Mijin, so visit before 11 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. to get in right away.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. On what days are Jongno's palaces closed?
Gyeongbokgung closes every Tuesday, while Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeonghuigung, and Jongmyo Shrine close every Monday. So visit Gyeongbokgung on Mondays and the other four palaces on Tuesdays to avoid a wasted trip.
Q. Is there a way to get into Gyeongbokgung for free?
Visitors wearing hanbok can always enter for free, and admission is also free on 'Culture Day,' the last Wednesday of every month. Gyeonghuigung is always open free of charge.
Q. Which is better to walk first, Bukchon or Seochon?
If you want to photograph neat alleys of yangban (aristocrat) hanok and open views, we recommend Bukchon in the morning; if you want a tour of modest alley shops, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants, we recommend Seochon from afternoon into evening.
Gyeongjugak
Jeonjugak
Yeongjugak
Gangneunggak
Jejugak
Busangak