Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square runs along Sejong-daero from the gate of Gyeongbokgung down toward the old city centre, on the axis the Joseon capital was laid out around, and it functions as the country's main civic space - the place where celebrations, festivals and large gatherings happen. Two bronzes stand on it: Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the naval commander of the 1590s, put up in 1968, and King Sejong, seated, unveiled in 2009, with an underground exhibition beneath the latter covering the invention of hangul, the Korean alphabet, which Sejong's court produced in the 1440s. Behind the square, Gwanghwamun gate and Gyeongbokgung frame the view with Bugaksan rising behind them, which is the standard photograph. The square was rebuilt and widened in 2022 with lawns, water features and trees. Around it are the government complex, the US embassy, the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and Cheonggyecheon stream a block east.

What you actually see

• The two statues - Sejong seated and Yi Sun-sin standing.
• The hangul exhibition - the museum under the Sejong statue.
• The palace axis - Gwanghwamun gate and Bugaksan behind.
• The rebuilt square - lawns, trees and water features.

When to go

April to June and September to November. Evenings for the lit gate and mountain. The gate's changing-of-the-guard re-enactment runs at set times daily.

Honest expectations

It is a busy civic square beside heavy traffic, not a quiet monument. It is also a place where demonstrations are regularly held, so parts can be occupied or closed. Little shade.

Nearby

Gyeongbokgung is at the top of the square; Cheonggyecheon and Insadong are east.