Historic Sites • History Museums
Jongno-gu
Historic Sites in Seoul, South Korea
Seoul Historic Sites
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Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Gwanghwamun / Jongno
Recommended Sightseeing Experiences (852)
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Gwanghwamun / Jongno
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Jung-gu
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
Jongno-gu
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Gwanghwamun / Jongno
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Dongdaemun / Sindangdong
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Myeongdong
Speciality Museums • Historic Sites
Seoul Station / City Hall
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Samcheongdong / Bukchon
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Jongno-gu
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Samcheongdong / Bukchon
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Gwanghwamun / Jongno
Historic Sites • Scenic Walking Areas
Songpa-gu
Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
Samcheongdong / Bukchon
Historic Sites • Religious Sites
Jung-gu
Historic Sites • Neighbourhoods
Jongno-gu
What travellers are saying
- atontaoMadrid, Spain2,068 contributionsPalace destroyed by the Japanese centuries ago and rebuilt
Interesting buildings, including king and queen rooms that can be seen from a gate
Change of Royal Guard by actors was not so interestingWritten 18 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ChrisMartinez, CA589 contributionsLocated right off of one of the busiest streets here, Yulgok, the palace entrance can be found on this road, but there is also a back entrance as well, but that’s quite a bit away as this area is huge.
The place was definitely more accessible than most places I’ve been to in other countries where you really couldn’t get super close to most places to see the insides of the buildings as they’re lined off and such, or there’s a net or something to obstruct the view. Here, no such issue, albeit, you still can’t really go inside these places, but still, quite up and personal for the majority of the buildings.
It is a bit confusing as there’s several places to visit in this park, but each place needs a separate ticket to get in. If your plan is to go through all of the places, or go from one end of this very large area to the other, you’ll have to at least enter both the palace area halves, though, these are both the cheaper tickets. The Secret Garden ticket alone costs more than both combined.
All 3 areas have their appeals. I will reference them according to Joseon Kdramas as the measuring stick.
The side where you enter in from Yulgok is the area mostly where you see military training areas, but courtyards, etc. The other side is where all the palaces for where royalty stay are and also those huge gardens where the king will walk through usually. The secret garden has a lot of the secret meeting places, by lakes, in random tea areas to discuss strategies, or something to that effect.
Overall, especially if you like Kdramas of the Joseon era, this is quite the accessible place to get your nerd on. If you just want to sight see an appreciate history, this is also a great place for that.Written 31 December 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Johnmango928Edmonton, Canada557 contributionsTo me the main attraction is the Namsangol Park itself. The Namsangol Hanok Village is located inside the park.
On a Sunday morning the park was not busy. Admission is free. There are a few things I like about the park:
- A running live stream with small waterfalls which helps mask any traffic noise from outside the park. Very few parks I had visited actually have running streams.
- Use of large pieces of granite and stones, for stepping over streams and for seating.
- A "Commemorating Pit" celebrating 600th year of Seoul being the Capital of South Korea. At the centre of the "pit" was the congratulation messages from the mayors of other cities, including Jacques Chirac mayor of Paris, Frank Jordan mayor of San Francisco, and Melih Görçhek mayor of Ankara.
The park also has a cafe-tea house located in a traditional building, as well as, of course, the Hanok Village which is actually just a few houses of traditional design.Written 30 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TIersHasieSydney, Australia1,291 contributionsOne of the most imposing gates in Seoul protecting Gyeongbok Palace. The most outer gate and the grandest in that palace.
Most days at the time of visiting there are 3-4 changing of the guard performances (2 on the outside and 2 on the inside) they also differ in the changing style depending on which change performance you are witnessing. Check with the information or on their website for tour times.
Worth the changing of the guards to see their reenacted costumes for varying guards!
Walking distance from King Sejong and Admiral Yi monuments.Written 16 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LolaGo1Washington DC, DC6,627 contributionsI visited this attraction after my DMZ Tour Bus dropped me off across from it. Note that seniors can enter this attraction for free, just show your proof of age.
There is a beautiful fountain at the center of the area. There are 3 buildings to visit here, my favorite one is the one that shows intricately embroidered panels. Took a lot of photos of the embroidered exhibits here.
The other 2 buildings have their own exhibits. Feeling tired of walking, I simply took their pictures from outside.Written 3 May 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - XmaslvnDublin, CA153 contributionsWe did the shortest and closest section of the wall. Section 2 starts at Hyehwamun Gate and goes South towards the DDP. When you get to the DDP- you can keep going- through the city (no wall), or just go into the FREE Seoul City Wall Museum.
Passing through Naksan Park was nice. There was plenty of shade on this section which is nice when hot. The path and Wall are clearly makes.Written 1 June 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mike155 contributionsA UNESCO World Heritage site and a wonderfully maintained Joseon Dynasty shrine, this is a must-do if you're into history. Visiting this site can be different depending on the day you go. There are certain days when you have to join a free guided tour to visit (Weekdays according to their website). And there are other days where you can walk around the grounds on your own (Weekends according to their website). However, I visited on a "guided tour only" weekday, but I was able to "free roam," so I'm not sure about that. All that aside, the grounds and the structures are amazing! Like other recent reviews have said, the main shrine building was still under refurbishment when I went. Despite that, the entire site is still worth visiting for the beauty, history, and peaceful atmosphere! If you buy the Palace Pass combination ticket, admission to this is included.Written 14 November 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TIersHasieSydney, Australia1,291 contributionsWorth a look if you're in the Dongaemun area. Don't forget the nearby small hill and rest of the wall remenants. Apparently it's treasure number 1.
Looks great at night and lots of nearby late night shopping department stores, fashion plaza and market etc.Written 16 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - NICHOLAS TDubai, United Arab Emirates11,081 contributionsThis is a large, impressive, historical gate building in Downtown Seoul. The high rise buildings behind it offer an interesting contrast of the old and new of the city.
It is free to access and well worth a look if you are in Seoul.Written 6 April 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Romanw871Redwood City, CA2,663 contributionsPark like complex with three tombs and history building. Entrance fee if 1,000 KRW (very cheap). The description in English seems to be a bit limited. Worth of visit, but I would not have it among “must do in Seoul”.Written 17 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- CanisHanSeoul, South Korea27,681 contributionsC ( 20.12.16 )
This Seoul station was well-preserved as it was in Korean Modernization era. There had old shape and reminded my childhood. Some attraction, namdaemun, seoul bridge 7017,etc was located beside this attraction. There was good to enjoy on Seoul bridge 7017 and worth to visit on trip.Written 20 December 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Bui Thu TrangSeoul, South Korea122 contributionsOne of the best Hanok experiences in Seoul for me. You can visit the inside of the yard and the house, the old house architecture with wooden doors and awnings make the pictures taken very beautiful. You can visit for free, the museum area is quite hidden so the number of visitors is not much, so you can freely travel inside comfortably.Written 20 July 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- TIersHasieSydney, Australia1,291 contributionsApparently there was a time where this palace had well over 100 buildings. Nowdays there's really not much left to see.
Free entrance but apart from getting a photo of a palace with nobody in it it's hardly worth a visit. Main hall very similar design to a lot of the other palaces requiring paid entrance.
Quiet and serene compared to the other 'grand palaces' to which this one is a part of. A block or 2 away from the more modern Deosukung Palace.Written 8 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - JHLSeoul, South Korea9,387 contributionsThis the pavilion area locating on top of Bugak Skyway(road passing on Bugaksan Mountain). It has a spectacular view of Seoul and there are some places to have fun or eat. Fine place in Seoul.
- No access available by bus/metro. Arriving by a car is recommended. But, climbing from Sukjeongmun Gate is a good hiking of 30~40 min. Also, reaching along Bugaksan Skyway is available.
- It has a really nice panoramic view of Seoul.
- The pavilion itself has telescopes, cafe and restaurant. You can also grab a bite from a small supermarket in the area.Written 26 January 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - ChrisMartinez, CA589 contributionsLocated at the center of the busiest areas in its surrounding areas, and right next to a school, this palace is an interesting spot to do a little bit of sight seeing, but far less hustle and bustle of what you would get from Changdeokgung Palace, but in a more compact space comparatively, but the other upside is that it’s free as it’s more of a historical ground more than anything.
When you first arrive at the front gate, there’s a huge courtyard open space, which is cool to see on entry of the emptiness. Immediately to the left of the entrance when you get in are tables you can sit there and chill, and then some drinks vending machines.
Again, this is not going to be the size of the palace as Changdeokgung is like, as there’s no tall ceiling buildings here, or interesting like side areas. However. Once you get past the opening area, there’s back there’s actually quite a lot of buildings there, and each one gives you an opportunity to get up and personal to look inside. The cool thing about here compared to Changdeokgung is that some of the buildings are actually staged with stuff inside, some with tools, etc. Makes it a bit more interesting than just looking at empty buildings all the time.
Theres a surprisingly dense amount of buildings and rooms in each of the sections in the back behind the main courtyard in front. And I feel this place is more peaceful than Changdeokgung, especially since it’s far less crowded due to it being smaller, but still gives you the full traditional palace feel to it even without the huge building. Certainly much more quaint and personal here in a sense.
There’s also a nice garden area here. Not much, but the design of the garden and the way the different statues are set makes it nice and serene, and again, a peaceful walk through the garden.
And the thing that they do have here that tourists might enjoy is that they have a specific end of visit section where they have artifacts, mannequins dressed in costumes to represent individuals from the past, and other useful historical information.
Honestly, if you’re someone who wants a taste of sight seeing, but feel like Changdeokgung is a bit much, then this smaller but still interesting palace will be your jam. Even if you still want to go to Changdeokgung or have been, I still recommend dropping in here since, well, it’s free so what’s the harm? Neat spot if not as flashy as the other huge palace down the street.Written 2 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
