Palace walls, Seoul Plaza and the old heart of the city.
City Hall sits where modern Seoul began: a Joseon-era palace on one side, the glass wave of the new City Hall on the other, and Seoul Plaza in between. It is one of the best places on Line 2 to start a day on foot.
From here you can walk to Deoksugung in two minutes, Cheonggyecheon stream in under ten, and Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung in about twenty. It is quiet after office hours, which suits some visitors and not others.
Which exit to take
- Exit2Deoksugung PalaceThe smallest of the five grand palaces, with a royal guard changing ceremony at Daehanmun Gate a few times a day (not Mondays).
- Exit1Deoksugung Stone Wall RoadA tree-lined lane along the palace wall, at its best in autumn.
- Exit5Seoul Plaza & Seoul LibraryThe lawn hosts festivals in summer and an ice rink in winter; the library fills the old 1926 City Hall building.
- FollowsignsCheonggyecheon StreamAn 11km restored stream through downtown. Start at Cheonggye Plaza and walk east.
- FollowsignsGwanghwamun Square & GyeongbokgungA straight walk north up Sejong-daero. Gyeongbokgung is Seoul's main palace.
Exit numbers can change during station works. Check the yellow exit boards on the platform before you leave the gates.
Food nearby
The lanes of Mugyo-dong and Da-dong behind the plaza are full of office-worker lunch places: noodle soup, bossam and grilled fish set meals. Most quieten down in the evening and some close at weekends.
Good to know
- Line 1 also stops here, and it runs straight to Seoul Station for the airport train.
- Myeongdong is one stop east at Euljiro 1-ga, or a 15-minute walk.
Travel times on Line 2
| To | Time | Which platform |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong | ~2 min | inner loop, towards Euljiro 1(il)-ga |
| DDP / Dongdaemun | ~8 min | inner loop, towards Euljiro 1(il)-ga |
| Seongsu | ~20 min | inner loop, towards Euljiro 1(il)-ga |
| Jamsil / Lotte World | ~30 min | inner loop, towards Euljiro 1(il)-ga |
| Gangnam | ~42 min | inner loop, towards Euljiro 1(il)-ga |
| Hongdae | ~10 min | outer loop, towards Chungjeongno |
Approximate, at about two minutes per stop. Add a few minutes for waiting and transfers.