Why Stay in Jongno & Insadong?
Jongno and Insadong hold Seoul's densest cluster of palaces and hanok streets. Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and Deoksugung all sit within two subway stops; Bukchon Hanok Village, Seochon, and Insadong Ssamzie-gil link on foot. Anguk Stn (Line 3) and Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1/3/5) handle the transfer load.
Culture-first itineraries with hanbok photos rank Jongno first. If you also want shopping, Myeongdong is a 10-minute walk; for late-night retail, Dongdaemun is 2 stops. For dinner bars and global food, Itaewon.
Must-Do in Jongno
- Gyeongbokgung Changing of the Guard — Gyeongbokgung Stn Exit 5 (Line 3). Scheduled daily; free in hanbok.
- Changdeokgung Secret Garden — Anguk Stn Exit 3. Timed-entry booking.
- Bukchon Hanok Village — Anguk Stn Exit 2 via Gahoe-dong. Visit during quieter hours.
- Insadong Ssamzie-gil — Jongno 3-ga Stn Exit 5. Crafts and traditional dessert.
- Gwanghwamun Plaza + Cheonggyecheon — Evening stroll route.
How to Pick a Jongno Hotel
| Priority | What to look for | | --- | --- | | Location | Within 10 min walk of Anguk, Jongno 3-ga, or Gwanghwamun | | Type | Split between big 5-star chains and hanok stays | | Budget | Hanok KRW 150–350k · 4★ 180–280k · 5★ 350k+ | | View | Palace walls and Bukhansan are premium |
Building restrictions limit new hotels, so supply skews to renovated hanok and large 5-star chains. Hanok stays book up 3 months ahead in peak season.
Getting Around
- Incheon Airport → AREX to Seoul Stn + Line 1 to Jonggak (~40 min)
- Gimpo Airport → Line 5 to Gwanghwamun (~40 min)
- Myeongdong → Line 2 + 10 min walk
- Gangnam → Line 3 to Anguk (~25 min)
FAQ
Q. Where do I rent hanbok? Rental shops cluster around Gyeongbokgung and Bukchon. 2–4 hours runs KRW 15,000–30,000. Wearing hanbok waives admission to the five palaces.
Q. How do I book the Changdeokgung Secret Garden? Through the official Changdeokgung website or same-day on-site. Foreign-language slots are separated — double-check timing.
Q. How modern are the hanok stays? Most are updated with modern bathrooms, showers, and climate control. Heated floors are hotel-grade.
Q. Can I shoot Gyeongbokgung at dawn? The palace opens at 9:00 am. Before that, you can only shoot the outer walls. Bukchon streets are 24/7.