Accompanied by Spring, Strolling in Seoul

Come to the core area of Jongno in Seoul to enjoy the spring greenery! On the path to welcoming spring, steps are light and carry their own rhythm!

"Seochon Alleyways Seemingly Full of Hidden Stories"

Seoul is a magical city. On the surface, it appears to be a metropolis with skyscrapers standing in close array and lights blazing from morning till night, but when you step back and look closely, you'll find many stories hidden between the alleyways. The alleyways of Seochon are exactly like that! The area of Tongin-dong and Ogin-dong in Seoul is called 'Seochon' because it lies to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Being close to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the first legal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, the buildings in this area are mostly low-rise for the sake of preserving cultural heritage, maintaining historical spaces and traditional scenery, and the community environment is very serene. The shops with Korean-style tiled roofs and brick walls preserved in the city center, along with the alleyway scenery formed by residential houses, have a strong Korean character.

Seochon is near Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3, just a 5-minute walk away. The numerous alleyways are like a comprehensive cultural space. There is 'Lee Sang House,' an open space converted from the former home of the genius writer Lee Sang, 'Dawoo Bookstore,' an old bookstore made famous by many TV dramas and singer IU's album shoots, and a retro arcade that perfectly preserves the feel of the 1990s. Every alleyway has untold stories waiting for you to explore and date with spring. The old buildings of Seochon have low tiled roofs, giving a sense of peace that is hard to find among city high-rises. However, Seochon's alleyways are not just about retro vibes. The alleys are full of stylish concept stores with personality, and combined with the personal sentiments of many visitors, they are both harmonious and unique, creating a 'stylish' Seochon. Why not start the new spring in Seoul's most 'stylish alleyway'!

2. Changgyeonggung Palace

Grand Greenhouse "The spring chill lingers, yet warmth returns."

The spring chill lingers, yet warmth returns. The cold wind seems to deliberately take its time driving away winter, finally jealous of spring before us. Quickly avoid everything that blocks spring's progress and head to a place where you can fully enjoy spring, without disappointing the wait! Changgyeonggung Palace is one of the Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, and the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace is such a place. From Exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on Subway Line 4, a 15-minute walk will bring you to 'Honghwa Gate' leading into Changgyeonggung Palace.

Once inside the palace, strolling leisurely, you can not only admire the beautiful dancheong (traditional decorative painting) but also enjoy 'Chundangji Pond,' which displays the beauty of the changing seasons. Passing by Chundangji Pond, a pure white, quaint building comes into view—the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace. Built in 1909, the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace was both the first Western-style greenhouse in Korea and once the largest greenhouse in Korea. The greenhouse is an early 20th-century European-style building, with a steel-wood interior and a glass exterior. While palaces are mostly made of wood, tiles, and colorful dancheong, the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace, with its glass shell and white framework, creates a mysterious exotic atmosphere.

At the time of its completion, the Grand Greenhouse displayed ornamental and rare plants from tropical regions. Later, after the restoration of Changgyeonggung Palace in 1986, it mainly showcased Korean native plants, natural monuments, and wildflowers. Inside, the small, delicate plants, trees, and red flowers complement the blue sky outside the glass windows, creating a picturesque scene. Although the temperature outside the glass windows is still cold, inside the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace, warm spring has already arrived. Let us feel the first spring in Seoul under the warm sun and enjoy a spring date. Visitors wearing hanbok can enter for free, and it is also free on the last Wednesday of each month 'Culture Day' (including foreigners). If you need an audio guide, you can rent an audio guide device that supports 4 languages (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) for a rental fee of 3,000 won. Additionally, starting from March 1, 2022, the night tour will reopen, with visiting hours until 20:45. Let's experience the more unique ambiance of the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace and the beauty of the palace under the lights.

"Seoul is a diverse city,

where you can experience alleyways and skyscrapers,

mountains and rivers, palaces and city walls all at once."

Seoul is a diverse city where you can experience alleyways and skyscrapers, mountains and rivers, palaces and city walls all at once. The past, present, and future all coexist in Seoul, and Jongno is especially unique, seeming to allow you to travel back in time at any moment. The city wall extends from Hyehwa Gate to Hongin Gate, and has now been transformed into Naksan Park. Naksan Park is not the kind of wide, flat park people are used to, but a park that climbs gradually along the city wall.

Depending on where you start, you may pass through forest paths in the city center or encounter the outer wall of the city wall. Starting from Hyehwa Station allows you to reach Naksan Park the fastest. You can also take Jongno 03 community bus from Exit 2 of Dongdaemun Station or Exit 10 of Dongmyo Station, get off at the terminal 'Naksan Park,' and walk a short distance to the park.

Naksan Park is famous for having the best night view in all of Seoul. In the early evening, walk slowly up along the city wall and enter the park. As you move your feet, you'll find the city receding, mistakenly feeling like you are stepping back to the Joseon era step by step. There are signs placed throughout the park that provide detailed information about the construction time and development process of the city wall, allowing you to appreciate the 500-year history of the city wall guarding Hanyang and adding a little fun. The city lights fade away behind you, while the lighting in the dark park is just right, illuminating your feet and guiding the way.

Finally, upon reaching Naksan Park, a spring breeze greets your face. Overlooking the center of Seoul from Naksan Park gives a completely different feeling from observing it from elsewhere, out of the ordinary. It's as if you are in the Joseon era, yet witnessing the brilliant future of Korea and Seoul. Naksan Park awaits you to enjoy the dazzling night view and savor the joy of a spring night date in Seoul! Source: Seoul Tourism Information Network

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