Palaces and gates of the old capital · the restored Cheonggyecheon · museums on foot
These four days read Seoul as a city that keeps its history in the open: stone gates against traffic, a royal palace beside the former president's house, a restored stream under the downtown streets. The route stays close to the old capital's core, so most of it is done on foot, with museums placed where the walking gives way to longer looks. It is planned at a moderate pace for one traveller, mornings at the large sites and shorter evenings around the city's heart.
A sample trip planned by Triptic.
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Memorial gate in Seoul celebrating independence from Qing China.
It stands a little apart from the palace district, so allow the short transit in the morning; the gate and its grounds take less than the full allowance.
Morning · 45 min
National museum.
Start with the royal daily life galleries, then work down; from here the palace gate is a short walk.
Morning · 2 hr
Palace in Seoul, South Korea.
The courtyards are gravel and open to the sun; come in the morning and give the main halls time before moving to the quieter corners.
Afternoon · 1 hr 30 min
Former official residence of the president of South Korea.
Entry is by guided tour at a set time, so book ahead and keep the ticket in the day's plan; the site sits behind Gyeongbokgung and needs a few extra minutes to reach.
Evening · 1 hr 30 minThe palace museum and Gyeongbokgung sit close together, so they work as one long morning; keep the Blue House tour time in view for the afternoon.
History museum in Seoul, South Korea.
The model of the old city is the fastest way to see how the walls and gates fit together; once you have it, the day's walking makes more sense.
Morning · 2 hr
Public open space in Downtown Seoul.
The plaza is a straight open route from the palace gate south to the stream; the statues stand in the middle, easy to miss if you cross quickly.
Morning · 45 min
Stream in Seoul, South Korea.
The stream runs longer than it looks and sits below street level; spend the afternoon on one section and sit, rather than trying for the whole route.
Afternoon · 1 hr 15 min
Square in Seoul, South Korea.
The lawn at the centre of the square is the day's natural last seat; it works best in the evening, when the square softens.
Evening · 45 minThe Seoul Museum of History first, then the route runs south through the plaza to the stream; the walk is level and easy to extend or shorten.
Main gate of Seoul fortress; one of The Four Great Gates (cardinal) as one of The Eight Gates of Seoul as part of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea.
The gate rises from a traffic island where markets converge; see it up close from the platform, then let the surrounding lanes fill out the morning.
Morning · 1 hr 30 min
Cathedral in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
The grounds sit a step above the shopping streets and are far quieter; the visit inside is short, leaving room to walk the neighbourhood around it.
Morning · 45 min.jpg?width=800)
Arts organization in Korea.
The theatre stands on the hillside above the river, with open views across the city; the visit stands or falls on whether the evening performance fits the plan.
Afternoon · 1 hr
Museum located in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Two hours covers the ground-floor collections well; the building is large, so pick a wing and leave the rest for another visit.
Evening · 2 hrThe National Museum of Korea is a large building; spend the two hours in the ground-floor galleries and leave the rest for another visit.
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Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea.
A weekday morning is the calmest time at the temple grounds; in May the lantern decorations from the Buddha's birthday season are likely still up.
Morning · 45 min
Palace of Joseon and Korean Empire.
A small city palace that moves quickly; the rooms tell the story of the dynasty's final years and leave the afternoon open for the pagoda nearby.
Morning · 2 hr
Stone pagoda in Seoul, South Korea.
The pagoda is the place where the 1919 independence declaration was read; a short visit that closes the story the trip opened at Independence Gate.
Afternoon · 45 min.jpg?width=800)
Palace in Seoul, South Korea.
The rear garden is entered only with a guided tour, separate from the main palace; ask at the ticket window first so the evening divides cleanly.
Evening · 1 hr 30 minChangdeokgung's rear garden is only entered by guided tour, so ask at the ticket window first and let that decide how the evening divides.
It is, as a guided tour of the former presidential residence. Tours run at set times, so book ahead and bring photo ID; the site sits right behind Gyeongbokgung and makes a natural end to a palace morning.
Only on a guided tour, separate from the main palace ticket. Ask at the ticket window on arrival so the hour and a half divides cleanly between the halls and the garden.
Comfortable shoes above all. The palace courtyards are gravel and fully open to the sun, so a hat and water help; May is warm enough to leave heavy layers behind but light enough for a long walk.
Longer than it looks, since the stream runs for many blocks below street level. Spend the allotted time on one easy section and sit, rather than trying for the whole route.
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