Gwanghwamun Square, situated in central Seoul, is a famous landmark. With several eateries, sculptures, galleries, and stunning views of the city, the place is ever buzzing.
On August 6, 2022, Gwanghwamun Square reopened to the general public after nearly two years of renovations. The place which stood as a witness to the various ups and downs of the country and its people is now bigger and better.
It has expanded 2.1 times with several additions of lush greens beautifying the space further. Therefore, if you haven’t visited Gwanghwamun Square recently, it may be time to plan a trip soon.
Here’s how you can enjoy the reshaped neighborhood.
Rest Amidst the Nature While Appreciating the Historic Elements
During the reconstruction, a lot of attention was paid to making Gwanghwamun Square the ideal setting for a park.
Thanks to the abundance of rest spots, water facilities, and flora, you can unwind and savor the tranquility while wandering the region and taking in the various components at your own pace.
As far as the historical importance of Gwanghwamun Square goes, the place is filled with several features to remind the tourists of its actual heritage.
- The “History Waterway” traverses the entirety of Gwanghwamun Square, passing by Government Complex Seoul while running from Yukjo Madang all the way to Hangeul Fountain.
The inscriptions along the waterway reflect the past heritage of Korea from the establishment of Joseon to the current time.
- At the gateway to Gwanghwamun Square, Koreans’ treasured eternal pine trees greet tourists, whereas the “Garden of Time” draws crowds by mimicking the conventionally designed Korean gardens.
- The “Four Seasons Garden,” which represents the four specific seasons that people experience in Korea, is a must-visit place.
- There are places for little ones to splash around, such as Hangeul Fountain, The Tunnel Foundation near the Performing Arts Sejong Center, and the “Ground Well.”
Visit the Exhibition Hall to Learn About the Several Treasured Cultural Specimens
The project to rebuild Gwanghwamun Square has uncovered cultural artifacts and government office locations that have remained hidden beneath the roadways and structures at Yukjo Geori for so long.
The group responsible for the renovation decided to build an exhibition hall to house pieces of the historical pieces unearthed at the Saheonbu. This was made to convey the worth and importance of Gwanghwamun Square to the visitors, which certainly did manifold the popularity by several measures.
Some of the elements that are on display include:
- Fences
- Door Traces
- Drainages
- Fences
The hall also showcases the curved pattern of the roof, just like in conventional Korean homes. Visitors can enjoy the surrounding landscape and Gwanghwamun Gate via the pillars of the hall because the constructors have kept the height and thickness similar to those of the nearby trees.
Witness the Storytelling
The redesigned Gwanghwamun Square features a variety of stuff that tells stories about Seoul’s past and present.
Media Glass building
This building, designed in the shape of a cube, exudes a feeling of spaciousness in broad daylight before transforming into a popular sight in the dark.
You can enjoy the accomplishments of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, materials on Hallyu, and several creations of emerging artists from dusk till 10 pm every day of the week.
Also, have a look at the Story of Chungmugong, the exhibition space in honor of Admiral Yi Sun-sin attached to the media glass.
Myeongnyang Fountain
Standing close to the bronze structure of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is the Myeongnyang Fountain. It represents the historic fight at Myeongnyang that Admiral Yi Sun-sin headed. The fountain gets illuminated every night, so visit it after sunset to take in the breathtaking nighttime view.
Media Wall
Tourists can now enjoy various art forms thanks to the huge media wall installation at Gwanghwamun Square. The range of subjects is vast, stretching from the evergreen past to contemporary art, elements of the future to the forest, people, and nature-related themes.
Walk from Yukjo Street to Gwanghwamun Square anytime between 8 am to 10 pm to enjoy the displays.
Final thoughts
Gwanghwamun Square is open 24*7. However, you should check the website before visiting to avoid any emergency closures.
Enjoy!
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