Cluster · Seoul
Gyeongbokgung & Gwanghwamun
Morning cluster: the palace at opening, the gate and the square before the tour groups; open courtyards with little shade, so go before 11:00 in summer.
Rules in force · 6Bukchon and many guesthouse lanes are steep
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities that must register online changes.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
- Seoul Capital Area ↗Dec–Feb in the capital area is dry and very cold (−10 to 3°C): pack a windproof layer and warm socks.
- Seoul ↗Bukchon and many guesthouse lanes are steep: large suitcases go from the car or subway exit straight to the door.
- Seoul ↗The subway stops around midnight; after that use taxis and check the last train in your map app.
Bound and physics
Gwanghwamun Square and the palace's main courts, up to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
- Slope
- flat
- Stairs
- Few
- Shade
- low
- Surface
- paved courts and gravel
- Sleep here or visit
- visit
Rescue anchors
A — Gwanghwamun Gate benches
seated_rest · shelter · valid: always
B — Gyeongbokgung Station concourse (AC, WC)
ac · toilet · seated_rest · valid: always
C — Geunjeongjeon courtyard edge
seated_rest · valid: always
D — Gwanghwamun Square underpass hall (AC, field-verify)
ac · toilet · seated_rest · valid: always
E — MMCA Seoul café and lobby (AC, field-verify)
ac · toilet · seated_rest · food · valid: always
F — Sajik-ro west café (field-verify)
seated_rest · food · valid: always
G — North palace path benches (field-verify)
seated_rest · valid: always
H — Sejong-daero east convenience store (field-verify)
food · ac · valid: always
always: 100% covered, max p90 6.8′, worst cell 7.2′ · heat: 100%
Nodes in this cluster
- Gyeongbokgung Palace — Go at opening on any day except Tuesday; 90 minutes through the main courts; dress in a hanbok for free entry if you like, otherwise buy at the gate.
Edges out (directed)
- Bukchon Hanok Village & Insadong
- Subway or taxi east · ~12 min
- Myeongdong & Namdaemun
- Subway south · ~15 min
Sleep within reach
- Myeongdong — 25–35 min
Red lines here
- Palace closes on Tuesday; check the palace site for your date.
- Dress modestly and follow guard instructions inside.