Gwanghwamun Square, King Sejong and the gate of Gyeongbokgung.
Gwanghwamun station opens onto Gwanghwamun Square, the city's ceremonial boulevard, with statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin and Gyeongbokgung's main gate at the top.
Cheonggyecheon stream starts a few minutes south-east, and the Kyobo Book Centre flagship is beside the station.
Which exit to take
- Exit2Gwanghwamun SquareKing Sejong statue, fountains, and the underground Story of King Sejong exhibition.
- FollowsignsGwanghwamun Gate & guard ceremonyThe main gate of Gyeongbokgung, with a royal guard changing ceremony several times a day (not Tuesdays).
- FollowsignsCheonggyecheon Stream (Cheonggye Plaza)The start of the restored stream walk.
- FollowsignsKyobo Book CentreA huge bookshop with a good English-language section and stationery.
- FollowsignsNational Museum of Korean Contemporary HistoryFree, with a rooftop view over the palace and square.
Exit numbers can change during station works. Check the yellow exit boards on the platform before you leave the gates.
Food nearby
Office-district restaurants and the basement food halls in the towers around the square. Seochon is a short walk west for something more local.
Good to know
- Line 5 runs direct to Yeouido and Gimpo Airport.
- The square often hosts festivals and rallies at weekends.
Travel times
| To | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong | ~17 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park to Line 4 |
| Gyeongbokgung | ~13 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Line 3 |
| Bukchon & Insadong | ~11 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Line 3 |
| Seoul Station | ~15 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Line 1 |
| Hongdae | ~18 min | Line 5 towards Seodaemun, then change at Chungjeongno to Line 2 |
| Seongsu | ~23 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park to Line 2 |
| Gangnam | ~36 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Jongno 3(sam)-ga to Line 3, then change at Sinsa to Sinbundang |
| Jamsil / Lotte World | ~34 min | Line 5 towards Jongno 3(sam)-ga, then change at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park to Line 2 |
Approximate, based on distance between stops plus about seven minutes per change. Add a few minutes for waiting.
On the map
Nearby station guides
3경복궁GyeongbokgungGyeongbokgung stationSeoul's grandest palace, and the old Seochon neighbourhood beside it.2을지로입구Euljiro 1-gaEuljiro 1(il)-ga stationThe quickest Line 2 stop for Myeongdong shopping and street food.21시청City HallCity Hall stationPalace walls, Seoul Plaza and the old heart of the city.