Gwanghwamun Gate
Gwanghwamun Gate: This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) looks busy (daily crowd index 100); the quietest day in the next 30 days is Mon, Nov 9; weekday average 85, weekend average 96; the quietest day of the week is Monday; parking: 240 spaces.
Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.
Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace's eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Address
- 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Opening hours
- January-February, November-December: 09:00-17:00
March-May, September-October: 09:00-18:00
June-August: 09:00-18:30
*Last admission one hour before closing - Closed
- Tuesdays
- Parking
- 240 spaces
- Parking nearby
- 1 lot within 500 m · about 1,260 spaces
- Sunrise / sunset
- Sat, Oct 31: sunrise 06:55 · sunset 17:36
- Phone
- +82-2-3700-3900
- Popularity
- Popular
Gwanghwamun Gate: least crowded days in the next 30 days
This is the daily crowd index forecast by the Korea Tourism Organization from mobile-network data. 100 = this place's busiest period, so 50 means about half as busy as its peak. It covers the whole day — even busy days can be quiet early in the morning or in the evening.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/2894 | 2995 | 3095 | 31100 | |||
| 11/195 | 273 | 3Closed | 478 | 578 | 685 | 7100 |
| 884 | 972 | 10Closed | 1191 | 1294 | 1396 | 14100 |
| 1590 | 1679 | 17Closed | 1881 | 1981 | 2086 | 21100 |
| 2298 | 2389 | 24Closed | 2584 |
Quiet (under 55) Moderate Busy (80+) Closed · red dates are Sundays and public holidays
| Quieter weekends & holidays | All weekends and holidays in the next 30 days look busy — consider a weekday. |
|---|---|
| Quietest days | Mon, Nov 2 73 · Wed, Nov 4 78 · Mon, Nov 9 72 |
| Busiest days | Sat, Oct 31 100 · Sat, Nov 7 100 · Sat, Nov 14 100 |
| Weekday / weekend average | Weekdays 85 · weekends 96 |
| Average by day of week | Mon 78 · Wed 86 · Thu 87 · Fri 91 · Sat 100 · Sun 92 (bold = quietest day) |
Festivals & events nearby
- Yangjaecheoneul Pumeun Yangjaedoseogwan 「mulgil Ttara Geurimchaek Yeohaeng」 양재천을 품은 양재도서관 「물길 따라 그림책 여행」 On now Sat, Oct 10 – Sun, Nov 8 · 12 km
- Nowondalbitsanchaek 노원달빛산책 On now Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Nov 8 · 11 km
- 《sojangpum, Sidaeui Jangmyeondeul》 《소장품, 시대의 장면들》 On now Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Dec 6 · 2 km
- Sium Sium Morning On now Sun, Oct 18 – Sun, Nov 29 · 13 km
FAQ
- Is there parking at Gwanghwamun Gate?
- Yes (240 spaces). On weekends and holidays the car park fills up early, so arrive in the morning.
- What are the opening hours of Gwanghwamun Gate?
- January-February, November-December: 09:00-17:00 March-May, September-October: 09:00-18:00 June-August: 09:00-18:30 *Last admission one hour before closing. Hours can change by season or for events, so check before you go. Times are Korea time (KST).
- Which day is Gwanghwamun Gate least crowded?
- Based on the Korea Tourism Organization forecast for the next 30 days, Monday is the quietest day of the week (average 78) and Saturday the busiest (average 100). The single quietest day is Mon, Nov 9.
- What time should I visit Gwanghwamun Gate to avoid the crowds?
- Tourist spots are usually busiest between 11:00 and 14:00. Arriving right after opening (09:00) or late in the afternoon is much calmer. The Noonchi app shows a score for every departure time from your location.
- Will Gwanghwamun Gate be crowded this weekend?
- This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) is forecast to be busy (daily crowd index 100; 100 = busiest period). Even on busy days, early morning and late afternoon are calmer.
Nearby attractions
- Gyeongbokgung Palace 0.0 km · Historic site
- National Palace Museum of Korea 0.2 km · Museum & gallery
- K-Keolcheo Seukeurin(Daehanmingugyeoksabakmulgwan) K-컬처 스크린(대한민국역사박물관) 0.2 km · Experience
- National Museum of Korean Contemporary History 0.2 km · Museum & gallery
- Dongsipjagak 동십자각 0.2 km · Historic site
- Sejong-ro Park 0.3 km · City park
- Garden of Gratitude 0.3 km · City park
- Gaelleori Hyeondae 갤러리 현대 0.3 km · Museum & gallery