The historic neighborhood of Jongno is a popular district for locals and visitors alike with its rich history and plentiful attractions. The name of the district comes from the words “jong” and “no” which literally means “bell road”. The bell that the district gets its name from is Bosingak which was traditionally rung in the past to keep time and signify the opening and closing of the four gates of Seoul. Today, Bosingak is where the special bell ringing ceremony is held every new year’s which you can check out if you’re in Seoul during then. Close to Bosingak you’ll find the iconic Gwanghwamun square with statues of Korea’s revered general Lee Soonshin and King Sejong the Great against the backdrop of the gate of Gwanghwamun. This square, sometimes called “the living room of Seoul” is popular for picture taking with its blend of modern buildings, traditional Gwanghwamun gate, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Mt. Bugak a picturesque reflection of Seoul’s many facets.

Just below Gwanghwamun is Seoul City Hall. The “tidal wave”-like newer structure is the current city hall building while the former building, just in front, now serves as a library with quite a large collection of international materials. The plaza here is the frequent location of festivals and events just about every weekend so check the Seoul city homepage to see what’s going on during your visit. Just across from City Hall is Deoksugung Palace, another popular royal palace of Seoul. For a truly unique royal palace experience, try and book a guided tour for Seokjojeon, the uniquely modern building among the traditional structures that once served as the residence of the last royal family.

While much of Jongno is quite urban, the restored Cheonggyecheon Stream is popular with both locals and visitors and has been featured in many international media as an example of a successful green initiative for urban cities. The stream runs parallel to the main Jongno road and can take you from the Seoul City Hall/Gwanghwamun vicinity all the way to Dongdaemun and back. Cheonggyecheon is especially popular to visit in the fall for the Lantern Festival with this year’s festivities taking place November 4 through the 20.
Following the main Jongno road, numerous attractions are found close by including Jogyesa- the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism-, Insadong – popular for antique and souvenir shopping, Jongmyo Shrine- the ancestral shrine of Joseon’s kings and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and Gwangjang Market – Korea’s oldest market and famous for its wholesale products and many food.

For museum lovers, the Seoul Museum of History, next to the small but pretty Gyeonghuigung Palace, is wonderful to learn about Seoul’s fascinating history while the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History takes a look at Korea’s modern century and has a rooftop with spectacular views of Gyeongbokgung Palace and beyond. Tapgol Park, Seoul’s first modern park which contains several national treasures, makes for a nice stroll while the Nakwon Arcade is a music lover’s dream with its numerous shops selling instruments, sheet music, music equipment, and more.

The Avenue of Youth around Jongno 2-ga and 3-ga carries numerous local and international restaurants, shops, and cafes for eats and drinks. You can experience a real pojangmacha, or Korean-style outdoor drinking vendor- around Jongno 3-ga for a very Korean experience or, if you’re feeling adventurous, head to the Euljiro golbaengi alley where numerous shops sell the spicy seasoned sea whelks with egg rolls.

North of the main Jongno strip are numerous other popular attractions such as Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village. If you want to explore somewhere a little less touristy, the Ikseondong neighborhood has the largest concentration of traditional Korean-style hanoks outside of Bukchon, many of which have been renovated into trendy restaurants, cafes, and shops.