If you’re staying around Myeongdong, Seoul Station, or central downtown, City Hall Station is one of the easiest starting points for walking to Gwanghwamun Square.
This route is popular with foreigners because it’s basically one long, straight “downtown boulevard” walk—no tricky alley turns, and you can navigate using landmarks even if your phone map lags in a crowd.
Official references (use these)
- Jongno-gu (district official) – access directions include City Hall route:
jongno.go.kr - Visit Seoul (official tourism) – Gwanghwamun Square location context:
english.visitseoul.net - Gwanghwamun Square official – directions (subway context + alternatives):
gwanghwamun.seoul.go.kr
How long is the walk (realistically)?
Most people take roughly 20–35 minutes depending on traffic lights, photo stops, and how crowded the sidewalks are.
On major event days, add buffer time. Your biggest delays are usually crosswalk cycles and crowd funnels, not distance.
The simplest walking route (no confusion version)
Goal: walk north along the main downtown corridor toward the Sejong-daero / Gwanghwamun area until you reach Gwanghwamun Square.
Step 1) Exit City Hall Station and head toward the main boulevard.
City Hall is a major hub, so exits vary. Don’t stress about the “perfect” exit—just get yourself onto the wide downtown streets that point toward the Gwanghwamun/Jongno direction.
Step 2) Keep your walk “boulevard-based,” not alley-based.
Foreigners get lost when they try to cut through small back streets. On event days, those shortcuts often become blocked anyway.
Step 3) Walk steadily toward the Gwanghwamun / Jongno landmark zone.
You’ll know you’re approaching the right area when the streets open up and foot traffic increases toward the central plaza corridor.
Step 4) Follow the crowd flow into Gwanghwamun Square.
As you get close, the square becomes obvious: it’s a large public plaza area along the main downtown axis.
Why this route is “foreigner-friendly”
1) It’s intuitive.
You’re walking through central Seoul on big, well-marked streets—not tiny alleys.
2) It gives you easy fallback options.
If you get tired or the sidewalks are too packed, you can switch to subway mid-route and approach via Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5) or Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) as listed in official directions.
Official route context: Gwanghwamun Square – Directions (Train)
Event-day tips (crowds, closures, and “don’t get stuck” tactics)
Arrive earlier than you think.
If the event is big, your walking time can double at the final 500 meters because that’s where crowd-control starts.
Pick a meeting point one block away.
Don’t try to meet friends in the tightest part of the square. Meet slightly away from the main funnel, then walk in together.
Have a backup plan if roads are blocked.
If you see barriers or police redirecting pedestrians, don’t fight the flow. Detour one block parallel and re-enter where the crowd thins out.
Backup options (if walking feels too slow)
Backup A: Approach via Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5).
The official directions highlight access from Gwanghwamun Station, including common exits and an underground passage option.
Backup B: Approach via Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3).
Official directions also list the Line 3 approach (Exit 6), which can feel calmer when Line 5 exits are overloaded.