KSH
Gwanghwamun Square: The Center Of Korean Culture And History
Gwanghwamun Square is a public space in the middle of central Seoul. It has museums, statues, restaurants, and beautiful views of the area. In February 2004, the idea was to turn the area into a square where only people could walk. The building work didn’t start until April 23, 2008. It cost 44.5 billion won ($41,785,500) and took 15 months to build.
The redesigned square, next to Sejong-ro street, was reopened to the public on August 1, 2009. The area for people only was made to fit in with the scenery around it, like the Bukaksan Mountain.
At the northern end, you’ll find Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun Gate. At the southern end, you’ll find Cheonggye Plaza.
The size of the square is 20,000 square meters (215,000 sq. feet). Without stopping, it takes about 10 minutes to walk the whole length.
The new Gwanghwamun Square opened to the public on August 1, 2009. With the opening of the square, Sejong-ro, in the middle of the 600-year-old historic city of Seoul, was turned into a people-centered space that goes well with the beautiful scenery of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukaksan Mountain.
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Gwanghwamun Square Divisions
The nearly 20,000-square-meter Gwanghwamun Square is in the middle of Sejong-ro, which goes from Gwanghwamun Gate to Cheonggye Square. The square is divided into “Recovering the History of Gwanghwamun Gate Plaza,” “Reenacting Yukjo Street Plaza,” “Korea Main Plaza,” “Civil Participation Urban Culture Plaza,” “Downtown Plaza,” and “Cheonggyecheon Stream Connector.”
Recovering the History of Gwanghwamun Gate Plaza
The “Recovering the History of Gwanghwamun Gate Plaza” section is at the plaza’s entrance, where a statue of Haetae, a mythical unicorn-lion that is said to protect palaces from fire, and a stone base called Woldae have been fixed up.
Reenacting Yukjo Street Plaza
Near Sejong-ro Park is “Reenacting Yukjo Street Plaza.” This is where Yukjo Street, which used to be called Hanyang, the main street of old Seoul, was remade. There is also a small picture of Yukjo Street on the side.
Korea Main Plaza
The statue of King Sejong the Great has been moved to the “Korea Main Plaza,” where the Hangeul alphabet is shown on a water screen in a fountain. The “Civil Participation Urban Culture Plaza” is between the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin. It has a variety of attractions and services, such as places for visitors to stay, exhibition halls, elevators, a meeting plaza, and art galleries.
Downtown Plaza
“Downtown Plaza” is a symbol of Sejong-ro. It is near the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin. The Square has a pond and pop-jet fountains that use water.
Cheonggyecheon Stream Connector
The “Cheonggyecheon Stream Connector” is a path that lets you walk from Cheonggyecheon Stream to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
There is also the “Memorial Waterway,” which is underground water that flows from the subway stations at Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun to Cheonggyecheon Stream. Also, behind the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin is “Sunken Square,” which links the Gwanghwamun subway station to the ground and makes it easier for people to get to the Square.
At Gwanghwamun Square, where the beatification ceremony will take place, there are two statues of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin and Sejong the Great. Both were essential people in Korean history. The “Waterways of History” and “King Sejong Story” exhibitions are open to the public. The “King Sejong Story” exhibition shows King Sejong’s achievements and Hangeul’s history.
More info about Gwanghwamun Square
Address: 172, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 종로구 세종대로 172 (세종로)
Opening Hours: Open All Year Round
