A Crowd-Free Palace Walk in Jongno, Seoul: From Gyeonghuigung's Sungjeongjeon Hall and Gyeonghuigung Park to Dongsipjagak, Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon Hanok Village
A Seoul history walk that starts at Gyeonghuigung, the western palace that stays quiet even on weekends, and steers clear of the midday noise
Comparison table at a glance
| Place | Admission | Crowds | Key appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gyeonghuigung & Sungjeongjeon | Free | Very quiet (ideal for reflection) | The Sungjeongjeon courtyard enclosed by corridors, and the rock Seoam behind Taeryeongjeon |
| Gyeonghuigung Park | Free | Quiet | Urban forest paths leading to the Seoul Museum of History and Sungkok Art Museum |
| Gyeongbokgung & Dongsipjagak | Paid (Dongsipjagak free) | High (mornings and nights recommended) | The grandeur of Joseon's main palace, and Dongsipjagak, left standing after the palace wall was cut away |
| Bukchon Hanok Village | Free | Crowded by day / quiet in the morning | The hanok alleys of Gahoe-dong, with views of Inwangsan and Namsan at the same time |
1. The Quietest Palace in the Heart of Seoul: Gyeonghuigung & Sungjeongjeon Hall
Located in the west among Joseon's five grand palaces and once called 'Seogwol' (the Western Palace), Gyeonghuigung sits in the same downtown heart as the Gwanghwamun intersection, yet it's like a secret garden that only those in the know visit. Pass through Heunghwamun, the main gate, and step into grounds built to follow the natural terrain of the hillside, and the traffic noise of downtown is shut out as if by magic.
In particular, stand in the courtyard in front of 'Sungjeongjeon,' Gyeonghuigung's throne hall, and you'll feel an elegant, focused architectural beauty different from Gyeongbokgung's Geunjeongjeon, with square corridors snugly enclosing the courtyard and only blue sky open above. Take time for reflection as you walk slowly behind Sungjeongjeon to Jajeongjeon Hall and the back garden of Taeryeongjeon, where a curious rock (Seoam) rises.
Gyeonghuigung Palace · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip Admission to Gyeonghuigung is completely free, and it connects without walls to the Seoul Museum of History and Gyeonghuigung Park right next door, making it perfect to tour them together.
2. From Urban Forest Paths to Traces of History: Gyeonghuigung Park & Dongsipjagak
Gyeonghuigung Park, which extends behind the palace halls, is a trail thick with massive trees and fresh air flowing down from the slopes of Inwangsan. Follow the park's footpaths out toward Sungkok Art Museum or the alleys of Naeja-dong, and your steps naturally lead to the path along Gyeongbokgung's western wall.
When you pass in front of Gyeongbokgung's Gwanghwamun and cross toward Samcheong-dong and Bukchon, the structure to look out for is 'Dongsipjagak,' floating like an island in the middle of the road. Originally a watchtower connected to the palace wall at the eastern corner of Gyeongbokgung's main gate, it lost the wall when tram lines and roads were laid during the Japanese colonial period and now stands alone in the middle of the street, a living witness to a painful chapter of modern history.
Dongsipjagak · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip Cross Songhyeon Green Plaza opposite Dongsipjagak or the courtyard of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, on your way up to Bukchon, and you can walk comfortably away from the fumes of the main road.
3. Gyeongbokgung's Majesty and Seoul's Skyline Beyond the Tiled Roofs: Gyeongbokgung & Bukchon Hanok Village
If you savored the beauty of empty space at Gyeonghuigung, it's time to face the grand scale of royal architecture at Gyeongbokgung, the principal royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. The double-tiered roof of Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion floating on its pond, and Hyangwonjeong set against Bugaksan and Inwangsan prove in every season that this is the pinnacle of Korea's royal palaces.
Leave through Gyeongbokgung's east gate (Geonchunmun) or the National Folk Museum exit and head up through Samcheong-dong to the hillside lanes of Gahoe-dong in Bukchon Hanok Village. The moment the modern forest of Jongno high-rises and Namsan Tower fit into one frame beyond the layered eave lines of the hanok, the past and present of Seoul, a 600-year-old capital, fold into one.
Gyeongbokgung Palace · Photo: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1
Yeohaenggak editor's tip Bukchon Hanok Village has designated visiting hours for tourists (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. recommended) to protect residents' right to a peaceful home life, so it's best to visit around 10 a.m. and enjoy it quietly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. Are Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung closed on the same day of the week?
No! Gyeongbokgung closes every 'Tuesday,' while Gyeonghuigung closes every 'Monday.' So if you visit Jongno on a Tuesday, when Gyeongbokgung is closed, Gyeonghuigung is open as usual, making it the best alternative.
Q. How do I walk from Gyeonghuigung to Gyeongbokgung?
From Gyeonghuigung's Heunghwamun along Saemunan-ro via Gwanghwamun Square to Gyeongbokgung is about 1 km, and if you walk through the alleys of Naeja-dong and Seochon, there's even more to see.
Q. Can you go up inside Dongsipjagak?
Access to the interior of Dongsipjagak is restricted to protect the heritage site and for safety, but you can admire and photograph its stone base, arched hongye passage and two-story pavilion exterior from the sidewalks on all sides at any time, free of charge.
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