Statue of Sejong the Great
Statue of Sejong the Great
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Statue of Sejong the Great and nearby attractions
The area
Neighbourhood: Jongno 1.2.3.4 ga-dong
How to get there
- Gwanghwamun • 2 min walk
- Gyeongbokgung • 6 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,292 within 5 kms
Attractions
800 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
483 reviews
Excellent
144
Very good
216
Average
114
Poor
8
Terrible
1
John E
1 contribution
Sept 2022
There is a free museum underneath the statue. As we got in and filmed the hallway right at the entrance, a staff from a few feet away screamed "no video!" at us.
As this is a no-admission fee museum, and there is absolutely no signs prohibiting filming, we assumed that filming is allowed. Anywhere in the world, there are museums that allow filming and there are museums that do not. And those that don't allow filming always have some sort of sign at the entrance, or they tell you at the ticket counter when you pay for the ticket.
Nowadays, everybody walks around filming with their smartphones. What does the management expect? That their staffs observe everyone and scream at anyone that grabs their smartphones? has anybody from the management ever thought of putting a sign at the entrance?
There is nothing interesting about the museum, and getting screamed at for visiting a lame musuem is so uncalled for.
As this is a no-admission fee museum, and there is absolutely no signs prohibiting filming, we assumed that filming is allowed. Anywhere in the world, there are museums that allow filming and there are museums that do not. And those that don't allow filming always have some sort of sign at the entrance, or they tell you at the ticket counter when you pay for the ticket.
Nowadays, everybody walks around filming with their smartphones. What does the management expect? That their staffs observe everyone and scream at anyone that grabs their smartphones? has anybody from the management ever thought of putting a sign at the entrance?
There is nothing interesting about the museum, and getting screamed at for visiting a lame musuem is so uncalled for.
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vee C
Bangkok, Thailand35 contributions
Near this King Sejong Statue, there is a little booth that you can experience wearing Korean Tradional Cloths aka Hanbok for free. Just show your passport to staff.
Written 8 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia29,079 contributions
Sept 2019
This is one of two impressive statues in Gwanghaman Square, the other being that of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin. Sejong lived from 1307 until 1450 and was the fourth King in the Jaseon Dynasty.The title of Great" apparently bestowed on all kings after they died but Sejong did invent the Korean alphabet , known as Hangul and promoted science and other good things.And a nice, big and impressive statue it was and fitting for a historic ruler.
Written 18 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mazmannan
Basingstoke, UK9,088 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
The King Sejong Statue is located at the centre of Gwanghawmun Square. This is a grand square that is located in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate.
The king is best remembered for the Korean alphabet which he invented. He was a wise king who led Korea in the fields of science and technology. He invented the rain gauge, the sundial and a celestial globe. He also made great progress in agriculture and literature. That is why the statue of the king has a book in his hand.
The statue is made of bronze and is about ten metres high. Behind the statue, there are six columns with golden carvings. These tell the story of what the king achieved and accomplished. On the side of the square is a stream that flows on tiles that have Korean inscriptions. This is the “Waterway of History”.
The king is best remembered for the Korean alphabet which he invented. He was a wise king who led Korea in the fields of science and technology. He invented the rain gauge, the sundial and a celestial globe. He also made great progress in agriculture and literature. That is why the statue of the king has a book in his hand.
The statue is made of bronze and is about ten metres high. Behind the statue, there are six columns with golden carvings. These tell the story of what the king achieved and accomplished. On the side of the square is a stream that flows on tiles that have Korean inscriptions. This is the “Waterway of History”.
Written 12 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarko2015
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1,731 contributions
Oct 2017 • Solo
Sitting right outside the Museum of Korea, directly in front of the palace gates, this vast statue towers above the traffic and makes a good photo op.
Written 15 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulSiow
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia2,697 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We found this statue in Gwanghwamun square. It was an imposing statue, very nice and it was built to remember a great and respected king. There is a free museum nearby.
Written 19 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul_n_Cris
Melbourne, Australia1,709 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Good photo opportunity with the Palace gate and mountains in the background. Just behind the statue is a door that leads to the underground museum. In this free museum you can get the history of Sejong and why he is one of Korea's heros.
Written 17 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanderer8888
286 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
Along the Sejong street has many visitor to get a photograph with Statue of Sejong the Greatest. The King Sejong who created Hangul and announced it to Korean people. Close to Gwanghanum gate. Just walking distance. I came from City hall Station then keep walking.
Written 9 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheDocIsOut
Portland, OR375 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
A great night walk in Seoul... start at the Gwanghwamun Gate of the Gyeongbokgung Palace, walk down through the Gwanghwamun Plaza and see the Statue of King Sejong the Great who is credited with inventing the Hangul alphabet. Continue down the plaza to see the imposing statue of Korean Navy Admiral Yi Sun Sin, often referred to as the Lord Nelson of Korea. You can take a peaceful break along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, before following this to Dongdaemun Gate, or continuing down the plaza to Namdaemun Gate. We preferred the latter.
King Sejong is considered by Koreans to be the greatest of all the Kings, and is honored with his image on the 10,000 Korean Won bill. He is credited with the creation of the Hangul alphabet that Koreans still use today. He is also responsible for reversing the anti-science sentiment created by Confucianism and elevating science to an important place in Korean society, a value still held by Korean culture today.
This monument is imposing during the daytime, and quite beautiful at night. Because it is one of the less visited sites, it is easy to get wonderful unobstructed night photos of this beautiful landmark.
King Sejong is considered by Koreans to be the greatest of all the Kings, and is honored with his image on the 10,000 Korean Won bill. He is credited with the creation of the Hangul alphabet that Koreans still use today. He is also responsible for reversing the anti-science sentiment created by Confucianism and elevating science to an important place in Korean society, a value still held by Korean culture today.
This monument is imposing during the daytime, and quite beautiful at night. Because it is one of the less visited sites, it is easy to get wonderful unobstructed night photos of this beautiful landmark.
Written 9 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wubear
Washington DC25 contributions
Oct 2011 • Friends
WoW! This exhibit is fantastic! Amazing no one has mentioned this before and it should be way up there on the list of things to see and do in Seoul. It should be in the top ten list!
The statue hides the entrance to an underground exhibit of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin. This site is fairly new & it's free. The interactive exhibit and short programs are a delight for adults and children alike.
Amazing how a fair and just king lived so long ago.
The exhibit has 2 sections and a cafe the separates the two. In the Admiral Yi Sunshin area, there is a scale model of a turtle ship. This is sure to be a favorite among the naval history buffs, but anyone who enjoys history will enjoy the presentation.
You should alot about 1 hour or so to see and experience it all. Schedule it before or right after lunch. It is close to cafes and the beginning of Cheonggyecheon (the river walk).
I thoroghly enjoyed this exhibit, recommend it to everyone and wish it was larger.
The statue hides the entrance to an underground exhibit of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sunshin. This site is fairly new & it's free. The interactive exhibit and short programs are a delight for adults and children alike.
Amazing how a fair and just king lived so long ago.
The exhibit has 2 sections and a cafe the separates the two. In the Admiral Yi Sunshin area, there is a scale model of a turtle ship. This is sure to be a favorite among the naval history buffs, but anyone who enjoys history will enjoy the presentation.
You should alot about 1 hour or so to see and experience it all. Schedule it before or right after lunch. It is close to cafes and the beginning of Cheonggyecheon (the river walk).
I thoroghly enjoyed this exhibit, recommend it to everyone and wish it was larger.
Written 16 October 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Podrías indicarme cual es el centro comercial mas grande de la ciudad de Sejong?
Written 17 February 2023
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing