Seoul City Hall Area

Deoksugung Palace, one of the four palaces in Seoul, is located across the Seoul City Hall.

Seoul City Hall Area

The City Hall area in Seoul is filled with entertaining facilities and historical structures, and sites worth visiting. You can say to your friends that you have been to Seoul, South Korea, if you have seen some of the places and sites that will be described on this page.

Of course, Korean restaurants are always there to satisfy your craving for Korean dishes. So, go ahead and continue reading!

Some of the most interesting places you must visit in the City Hall area should include…

Deoksugung Palace
Seoul Plaza (Seoul City Hall & Seoul Metropolitan Library)
Jeongdong Theatre
Seoul Museum of Art
Seoul Museum of History

Now, let me paint a picture of the above places/sites below.

Deoksugung Palace

One of the structures inside Deoksugung

Deoksugung Palace is one of the four major palaces you can explore in the Seoul area, especially in the City Hall area. It is a beautiful and historical site that stands through time despite the destructions it suffered, especially during the Japanese occupation.

Getting inside the palace could transport you into the olden days of the palace, where the kings, queens, and all their people walked around wearing their traditional clothes and doing their daily chores. It will help if you have advance information (basic) about the place.

However, you can read brief descriptions of the whole site and palace. Also, you can read summary descriptions for each building and important places of the palace, thus, you will enjoy your walk inside while acquiring new knowledge through your experience.

It is located just across from the City Hall.

Seoul Plaza

Seoul Plaza turns into an ice-covered ground for various winter activities.

Seoul Plaza is located right in front of Seoul City Hall. It is usually covered with green grass during the summer season (and beautiful colorful flowers at some specific places).

Festivals, exhibitions, shows, and seasonal events are held on this very spot at any time of the year. Entertainment and children’s facilities are also available during the summer season.

During the winter season, you will find this plaza covered with platforms protecting the grass from the cold winter snow. In the past years, you can enjoy ice skating in this very sport.

The skating rink is usually crowded, but you can always get in should you come earlier or wait patiently to be allowed in. It is not a free but reasonable price.

Nearby Seoul Plaza, you can see Korean restaurants, fast food shops, hotels, and other establishments.

Jeongdong Theatre

Performers of Korean traditional dance with this traditional attire

If you are into arts or have a sense of art, you will enjoy your visit to Jeongdong Theatre. You can watch and enjoy traditional Korean performing arts. Performances are held daily except on Mondays

You will also have an opportunity to participate in various cultural programs, such as learning how to play ‘janggu’ (traditional Korean drum), among others.

Jeongdong Theatre is located about a hundred meters from Seoul City Hall. Along this area and road (Jeongdong Road), you can find various coffee shops, cafes, and Korean restaurants where you can enjoy bulgogi, samgyettang, kimchi jeon, and other popular Korean dishes.

Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)

Located nearby Deoksugung Palace is the famous Seoul Museum of Art. You can find this museum if you walk down Deoksugung Doldam-gil (road). This museum holds special and annual exhibitions showcasing the works of Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso. Free admission for the regular exhibitions, but a small fee applies to special exhibitions.

Seoul Museum of Art also displays modern artworks by local artists and other famous artists around the world. On the first floor of the museum, you can find a museum coffee shop and a store selling art products and memorabilia.

Now, if you come out from the Seoul Museum of Art and walk straight, you will thread the Jeongdong Road, which leads to the Seoul Museum of History.

Seoul Museum of History

Jeongdong Gil (road) is the main road where the royals and other people walked for hundreds of years. That is why you will find a stone marked with a notice saying that you should get off your horse or animal and walk on foot because this is a royal road. In the early century, foreign embassies and international centres were located here.

Nowadays, you can only find some embassies, including the British embassy, the Russian embassy, the house of the American ambassador, and other international dignitaries.

Now, talking about the Seoul Museum of History is located along the main road that crosses Jeongdong Road. It is located beside Gyeonghuigung Palace - a serene palace with a mountainous backdrop.

Seoul Museum of History is where you can have a glimpse of the life and culture of the early days of Seoul. You can see the scale model of Seoul City and enjoy its panoramic view through this miniature work of art.

At this museum, you can see old potteries, maps, exhibitions, and other artefacts and relics recovered in the Seoul area. While enjoying the museum, you can relax in its gardens while sipping a cup of coffee and other beverages from its cafe.

A souvenir shop is available on the first floor of the museum selling products about Seoul and other souvenir and gift products.

Seoul Map at Seoul Museum of History

How To Get There

You can easily get to the City Hall are by taking a subway (Line #1 and 2). Secure a map or ready your smartphone to help you navigate around the area.

Since the main roads are marked in Korean and English languages, you will quickly find your directions and destinations.

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, please let us know.