Gwanghwamun Gate
광화문
History · 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Nearby stations and stops
- Gyeongbokgung (Government Complex-Seoul) (Line 3) · straight-line 286m
- Gwanghwamun(Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) (Line 5) · straight-line 493m
- Bus stop 경복궁 · straight-line 177m
- Bus stop 경복궁역(효자로입구) · straight-line 232m
Straight-line distance; the actual walk is longer · Data as of 2025-10-31
Source: Korea National Railway urban rail station information · Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nationwide bus stop locations
- Admission
- Not provided
- 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
- Closed on Tuesdays
- Tuesdays
- Parking
- Not provided
- Pets
- Not provided
- Accessibility
- Not provided
- Data status
- Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI · Source updated: 2024-12-04 · Collected: Not provided
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.
In the area
Gates 3 of 71 attractions in Jongno-gu
Similar places nearby
- Changdeokgung Injeongmun Gate · 1.3km
- Heunginjimun Gate - Dongdaemun Gate · 2.9km
Similar places in other regions
- Gyeongju Wolseong Palace Site (Banwolseong Fortress) (경주 월성(반월성)) · Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Jeonju Pungnammun Gate · Jeonbuk-do
- Gwangseongbo Fortress · Incheon
- Hwahongmun Gate (화홍문(華虹門)) · Gyeonggi-do
- Military Headquarters of Jeolla-do Province, Gangjin · Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City
Source: Korea Tourism Organization TourAPI