Seoul City Hall 서울특별시청: The Best Guide

How to Get To Seoul City Hall

Address: 서울 중구 세종대로 110 | 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

By Subway

Taking the train to Seoul City Hall is the quickest and most common way. You may reach Seoul City Hall by foot in under four minutes (or about 300 meters) after getting off the train at City Hall Station. With this option, you can enjoy the ease of Seoul’s public transit system while also getting a taste of its efficiency.

By Bus

Numerous bus lines in Seoul, South Korea, pass close to City Hall for those who prefer public transportation. Also, you may quickly get there by taking the Seoul Bus Numbers 0 area through Major Districts. Bus fare prices to Seoul City Hall depend on age and ticket type. Individual tickets cost 1,500 KRW (~1.12 USD), and transport passes cost 1,400 KRW (~1.05 USD) for adults (19 and older). For teens (13–18 years old), a card costs 800 KRW (~ 0.60 USD), while individual tickets cost KRW 1,500 (~1.12 USD). Regardless of ticket type, the flat fee for children (6-12 years old) is 500 KRW (~0.37 USD).

By Taxi

A taxi ride from locations like Seoul Station to Seoul City Hall is quick, easy, and comfortable. The average cab ride takes three minutes to complete a 2.2-kilometer route, costing between $5 and $7 (not including tolls, surcharges, or delays). Companies like Kakao Taxi make it easy by providing prompt, dependable service through their website. Read more on the best Apps for Traveling in Korea.

Kakao App on Google Play | Kakao App on the App Store

The Cheapest Way to Get There

When looking at ways to get to Seoul City Hall on a budget, the underground is the way to go. It provides a dependable and fast mode of transportation for just 1 USD, making it ideal for residents and visitors. The subway is an excellent option for budget-conscious travelers seeking quick city navigation because its regular service guarantees minimal waiting times.

Events at Seoul City Hall & Seoul Plaza

Winter – ICE Skating Rink From December to February

Every winter, the Seoul Plaza transforms into a magical winter wonderland with the opening of its much-loved Ice Skating Rink. This season, from December 22, 2023, to February 11, 2024, it’s set to offer a chilly but delightful escape right in the heart of Seoul’s bustling city center. Imagine gliding on ice, surrounded by the vibrant energy of South Korea’s capital – it’s an experience that combines fun with a unique urban vibe.

Seoul Plaza isn’t just a space; it’s the heartbeat of Seoul. Situated right in front of the historic City Hall, this plaza is where the past meets the present, creating a vibrant cultural hub. It’s where the city breathes, a place that showcases Seoul’s lively spirit and its dynamic pulse.

• Duration: December 22, 2023 – February 11, 2024
• Location: 110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
• Hours of Operation: Weekdays 10:00–21:30, Weekends and Holidays 10:00–23:00
• Entrance Fee:
  • 1,000 won per hour per entry (~0.76 USD) (includes skating equipment rental fees)
  • Ice bumper car: 2,000 won (~1.52 USD)
• Pro Tips:
  • Book your visit online in advance
  • Bring your gloves
  • Keep an eye on the rink’s website for updates on any closures due to the fine-dust alarm.
• Website: https://plaza.seoul.go.kr/

General Information about Seoul City Hall

Completely renovated since 2012, Seoul’s City Hall is now an architectural treasure with a breathtaking wavelike design made of glass and steel. This contemporary marvel takes its cues from traditional Korean architecture, with its wavelike shape evoking the protective shade of curved palace and temple roofs and incorporating the old stone City Hall, which was constructed in 1926 and is now a lovely library.

Remodeled to resemble the eaves of traditional Korean houses, the renovated Seoul City Hall is an example of environmentally responsible architecture. The property, which encompasses the historic structure now the Seoul Metropolitan Library, extends over 90,743 square meters. The design encourages interaction and connection among city residents by allocating 62% of the space to government offices and 38% to public spaces. Over 28% of its energy comes from renewable sources like solar, thermal, and geothermal power, and its efficiency is enhanced by its double-layered façade system.

Best Places at Seoul City Hall

The Green Wall

📍Location: 1F

The Green Wall, the building’s most renowned feature, is in the middle of Seoul City Hall. Creating a stunning green tapestry among the urban landscape, this towering vertical garden stretches from the ground floor to the seventh, with an area equal to a football pitch at 1516 square meters. This living wall is the most extensive vertical garden in the world, which is impressive in and of itself. Still, it also has the distinction of being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Not only does the Green Wall look beautiful, but it also has a functional benefit. More than 70,000 plants from 14 different species significantly improve the air quality. Plus, this ecosystem is vital for removing pollutants and fine dust. The green atmosphere is an essential aspect of the building’s eco-friendly design since it helps to regulate the internal climate, which includes temperature and humidity, in addition to its aesthetic value.

Meta Epic: SeoBeol

📍Location: 1F

“Meta Epic: SeoBeol” is an artistic masterpiece that beautifully captures the rich history of Seoul during its 2000-year reign as capital. It combines light, routes, and whirling ‘tornado’ themes to tell the city’s story. A triptych of symbolic components, this artwork depicts the “Path of Myth” reflecting the lively tales of Seoul, the “Light of Hope” representing the hopes and dreams of its inhabitants, and the “Tornado of Life” showing the city’s continuous conversation with its inhabitants.

The tornado-inspired design from the “Meta Epic: SeoBeol” roof is one of its most captivating characteristics since it establishes a personal connection with onlookers below. Incorporating the city’s stories, aspirations, and communicative energy into its various sections, this piece serves as a memorial to Seoul’s rich history. Hidden in plain sight unless one approaches from the front, many frequently overlook it despite its charm.

Sky Plaza Gallery and Cafe

📍Location: 8 & 9F

The Sky Plaza Gallery is located on the 9th floor; to get there, take the lift marked for visitors, which is located on the right. An aerial view of Seoul Plaza awaits you from this vantage point. Besides being a scenic spot, this place is a cultural center that frequently holds workshops and art exhibitions. A warm and welcoming cafe awaits you on the upper floor, where skilled baristas who happen to be disabled make the most mouthwatering coffee and sweets.

You can visit the Sky Plaza Gallery and Cafe on weekdays, specifically from Monday to Friday, with the gallery open from 10 am to 6 pm. On the same days, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, the cafe and bakery are open for business, so stop by if you’re craving some baked goods or a coffee break.

Seoul Metropolitan Library

📍Location: 5F

The Seoul Metropolitan Library opened its doors to the public on October 26, 2012, after a transformation that transformed the historic building of the former Seoul City Hall into a treasure trove of information. The groundbreaking Underground Space Extension Method (USEM) allowed for the construction of underground levels while preserving the iconic façade and main lobby of the original 1926 structure. Special attention was given to the meticulous restoration of the grand central staircase to honor its symbolic and historical essence, and the transformation was completed.

Careful restoration to its early 20th-century splendor has preserved the original materials on the library’s third level, formerly the realm of the city’s mayors. With the nameplates of previous mayors adorning the mayoral desk, it now provides a one-of-a-kind chance for photos. The library is home to 260,000 volumes, has five-meter-tall bookshelves, accessible facilities for people with impairments, and a reference department specifically for Seoul. In addition, it connects all of Seoul’s libraries to a unified book search engine, making it easy for readers to find what they need.

Seoul Citizens’ Hall 

📍Location: B1

With an average of 5,493 people per day (excluding closing days), Seoul Citizens Hall has attracted over 9.3 million visitors since its opening in January 2013. Surprisingly, 166 couples exchanged vows in unique ceremonies held at the hall. A wide range of community-focused events, including exhibitions, performances, and seminars, have used it 4,009 times, offering an affordable venue for people to participate in cultural pursuits.

In general, the hall’s building also has an exhibition space that showcases historical relics found during its construction and the Gungisi Relics Exhibition Hall, which preserves the archaeological site of Gungisi, a medieval armory from the Joseon Dynasty. Easily accessible from Exit 4 of City Hall Station on Seoul Metro Line 1, the hall is closed on Mondays. To learn more about the building’s history and significance, the Tong-Tong Tour below provides a comprehensive guided tour of City Hall.

Seoul City Hall Tour – Tong Tong Tour

Full self-guide here.

The new Seoul City Hall opened to the public with a modern glass façade modeled after the hanbok, a traditional Korean house with sweeping eaves. With its seven-story vertical garden representing the mythology of life and water’s continual flow and its rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of Seoul’s urban landscape, this building stands out for its environmental sensitivity and top-tier energy efficiency rating.

Along the way, you’ll see the relics and diorama exhibition in the basement of the Seoul Citizens Hall, the exhibition room and Sky Garden on the fifth floor of the Metropolitan Library, the former mayor’s office and archival services on the third floor, the art installations and garden on the first floor of the City Hall, and finally, the Sky Plaza on the ninth floor.

Two daily sessions, at 10 am and 2 pm, are available for tours from Tuesday through Friday, subject to reservation availability. Tours are unavailable on Mondays, Saturdays, or holidays, and times may change depending on the status of your reservation. Ten or more people must call at least five days before making a reservation. Please call (+82-2-2133-5642) the Seoul Metropolitan Government or (+82-2-6925-0777) the Seoul Guided Walking Tour service to make a reservation.

Nearby Attractions

Myeong-dong

📍Address: Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

At the beating heart of Seoul, in Myeong-dong, you’ll find a thriving intersection of commerce and culture where traditional Korean aesthetics meet the most recent international fashion trends. Attracting consumers and fashionistas from around the globe, the district’s vibrant streets are lined with an unusual mix of high-end global brands, big department stores, and specialty local cosmetic shops. Here, you may indulge in retail therapy while also discovering one-of-a-kind things ranging from state-of-the-art skincare to personalized accessories, as well as the newest trends in beauty. Despite the hustle and bustle of shopping, Myeong-dong is a great place to satisfy your hunger. The area is filled with charming restaurants and lively food stands, offering various dishes that satisfy your cravings, from traditional Korean dumplings and ginseng chicken soup to other flavors like Japanese and Thai street food.

Deoksugung Palace

📍Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Since its creation as a royal residence in 1593, Deoksugung Palace has offered a blend of Korean and Western architectural styles. It is distinctive among Seoul’s Joseon dynasty palaces for its nightly illuminations. The palace is renowned for its rich cultural and historical significance, highlighted by various guard ceremonies and informative guided tours. These offerings have contributed to the widespread fame and popularity of the palace. Significant historical events, such as the end of the Joseon dynasty, took place here, including King Seonjo’s refuge during stormy times and King Gojong’s residence until he died in 1919. Check out the Free Walking Tour to Deoksugung Palace.

Namsangol Hanok Village

📍Address: 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Situated at the foot of Namsan Park, Namsangol Hanok Village provides an insight into the cultural legacy of Korea. It features the Seoul Namsan Gugakdang, a place for traditional performances, and a collection of Joseon dynasty yangban (noble class) mansions from different parts of Seoul. To make the most of their visit, guests can take advantage of free English-speaking guided excursions that depart from the village entrance at designated times. Not only does the village take guests on a journey through history, but it also hosts cultural activities they can participate in. Some examples of these activities include experimenting with traditional clothing (hanbok), learning calligraphy, working with conventional paper (kanji), and creating crafts (such as masks and kites).

Namdaemun Market

📍Address: 21 Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Namdaemun Market has been the biggest market in Korea since its opening in 1964. It has become an essential part of traditional Korean trade. Its vastness hides a treasure mine of innumerable stores selling, at shockingly low rates, a dizzying array of goods, from apparel to kitchen necessities. Many of the goods sold here are hand-made by the store owners, making this marketplace more than simply a shopping mecca; it’s also an essential wholesale location. This unique element of manufacturer-to-consumer sales guarantees authenticity and affordability. From 11 pm to 4 am, the marketplace transforms into a bustling midnight bazaar, attracting merchants from various country regions keen to engage in trade during the serene nighttime.

Seoullo 7017

📍Address: 122-14 Bongnae-dong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Converted from a dilapidated flyover, Seoullo 7017 is now a verdant haven in the middle of the busy cityscape, with over 24,000 plants, including trees and flowers, all clearly labeled for the benefit of visitors. Despite its lack of shade, this hilltop park provides a one-of-a-kind view of Seoul’s downtown, illuminating its streets and buildings from an open and lofty vantage point. The area becomes even more vibrant at night as the old Seoul Station comes alive with lights, and the promenade is illuminated with mood lighting. Aside from being an excellent spot for strolls, the park also has several cultural events, such as art exhibits and live music, and it has fun things for kids to do, including trampolines.

Seoul Museum of Art

📍Address: 61 Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

The Seoul Museum of Art (SEMA) is a museum that always enchants art lovers with its world-class exhibitions. The museum deftly combines the modernity of its gallery spaces with the rich architectural history of the 1928 Supreme Court building, characterized by an attractive brick-and-stone façade. Various artworks, from modern pieces to past retrospectives, find their ideal home in these airy, well-lit galleries. To ensure that SEMA continues to serve as a center for the artistic activity everyone can enjoy, while most exhibitions are free to enter, a small fee may be charged for some of the more specialized presentations.

Final thought

To sum up, Seoul City Hall is more than simply the city’s nerve center; it is also a historical and cultural gem providing guests with diverse experiences. The historic City Hall, now the Seoul Metropolitan Library, and the contemporary architectural wonder of the City Hall building both allow you to relax and take in the sights and sounds of Seoul. There are plenty of places to unwind and enjoy the outdoors in the vicinity, such as the lively Seoul Plaza and the peaceful regions within the City Hall complex. The area around Seoul City Hall is sure to be an unforgettable experience for anyone interested in history, architecture, or just seeking a one-of-a-kind spot to relax in the middle of the busy city.

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