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Hi, I’m SeoulAslanJongno Trail Course 5 Gwanghwamun and All 5 Courses (2026)
Checked Oct 16, 2026
Course 5 of the Jongno Trail (종로둘레길) is the Gwanghwamun section, and it is the last and shortest of the five. It is 1.5 km and takes about 30 minutes. The official leaflet rates it "very easy". It runs from Cheonggye Plaza (청계광장) up Sejong-daero past Gwanghwamun Square to Sajikdan (사직단), which is where Course 1 starts, so the loop closes here. The stamp box is near Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7 or the crosswalk south of Gwanghwamun Square (the sources differ, see below), and it is the fifth stamp if you walk in order.
I have not walked Course 5 yet, so this guide follows the official leaflet map and city sources. It is the last of five guides, one per course.
Jump to: What Course 5 is · Walking order · Stamp box · Stops worth a look · All five courses · Getting there · FAQ
What is Jongno Trail Course 5?
The Jongno Trail is a loop of 5 courses through central Seoul, 15.8 km in total. Course 5 starts at Cheonggye Plaza, where the Course 4 Cheonggyecheon section ends. The stamp tour and the certificate are explained in the Course 1 guide.
The leaflet calls this course "a city stroll along culture and history". It says you meet Joseon history and modern Jongno at the same time, and that historic cultural sites and arts venues are packed together along it. At 1.5 km it is the shortest of the five, so it suits a day when you are short of time.
In what order do you walk Course 5?
The leaflet map lists the stops and main buildings in order. You start at Cheonggye Plaza and stamp at Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7. Then you pass Kyobo Bookstore (교보문고) and the Sejong Center (세종문화회관) and walk up to Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장).
At the end of the square the map shows the Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관) and the Jongno-gu Office (종로구청), then Gwanghwamun (광화문) gate. After Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역) the course ends at Sajikdan.
Where is the Course 5 stamp box, and where do you get the certificate?
The leaflet puts the stamp box in front of Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7 (Line 5). A 2024 city article about the trail opening instead says "in front of the crosswalk south of Gwanghwamun Square". Both put it near the square, so check around Exit 7 and that crosswalk before you give up. In the app you need to be within 100 m of the box to tap "Get stamp" (스탬프 받기). Walking in order, this is your fifth and last stamp.
With all five stamps you can apply for the completion certificate. It is one sheet of paper, issued once whether you stamped on paper or in the app, on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00 and not on public holidays. The counter location differs between sources: the leaflet names the Gardener's House (정원사의 집) in Cheongjin Park, and a 2024 city article named the Urban Greenery Division in the Jongno-gu Office building. Call 02-2148-2832 before you go. The full explanation is in the Course 1 guide.
What is worth a stop on Course 5?
Gwanghwamun (광화문). This is the main gate in front of Gyeongbokgung palace. The woldae (월대), the raised stone platform in front of the gate, was restored and opened to the public on Oct 15, 2023. The Seoul city media hub gives it as 48.7 m long and 29.7 m wide, with a 7 m wide central path. The haetae (해태) guardian statues were moved to the area in front of it. Opening hours for the palace change by season, so check them on the Korea Heritage Service website before you plan to go inside.
Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장). At 172 Sejong-daero, open at all times. The Gwanghwamun tourist information center answers questions on 02-735-8688, according to the Korea Tourism Organization listing. The same listing says there is no parking, so come by subway.
Sejong Center (세종문화회관). A venue for performances and exhibitions at 175 Sejong-daero. Hours and prices differ by show, so check the schedule on 02-399-1000 or its website before you go.
Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관). At 198 Sejong-daero, a free museum of Korea's modern and contemporary history. The museum's own website gives the hours as 10:00 to 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays and 10:00 to 18:00 on other days, with last entry 30 minutes before closing, and it is closed on Jan 1, Seollal and Chuseok. Call 02-3703-9200 to confirm before you go. (An older 2021 city article gave 10:00 to 18:00 every day.)
How do you walk all five courses?
The five courses add up to 15.8 km and about 7 hours on foot, which is a long day. The leaflet rates only Course 2 "somewhat hard". Courses 4 and 5 are "very easy", and Courses 1 and 3 are "moderate".
| Course | Length | Time | Leaflet rating | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Inwangsan | 3.5 km | 2 hr | Moderate | Course 1 |
| 2 Bugaksan | 4.8 km | 2 hr 30 min | Somewhat hard | Course 2 |
| 3 Naksan | 3.0 km | 1 hr | Moderate | Course 3 |
| 4 Cheonggyecheon | 3.0 km | 1 hr | Very easy | Course 4 |
| 5 Gwanghwamun | 1.5 km | 30 min | Very easy | This guide |
One way to split it, and this is my own suggestion, not the leaflet's: do the two mountain courses, 1 and 2, on one day (8.3 km, about 4.5 hours), and the three city courses, 3, 4 and 5, on another (7.5 km, about 2.5 hours). The Bugaksan hike guide covers the mountain's rules and its new trail.
If you like walking and trekking, I think this whole loop is a very good course. It takes in Cheonggyecheon, Gyeongbokgung and the mountains around the palace.
How do you get to Course 5?
- The leaflet map shows Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station (을지로입구역) as the nearest station to the start at Cheonggye Plaza.
- For the stamp box, go to Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역) Exit 7 on Line 5.
- The end, Sajikdan, is a walk from Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역) on Line 3.
There is no parking at Gwanghwamun Square, so come by transit. New to the subway? Seoul Subway Basics for First-Timers covers cards and transfers.
Naver Map pins
| # | Place | Naver Map |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheonggye Plaza (청계광장) · start | Open |
| 2 | Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 7 (광화문역 7번 출구) · stamp box | Open |
| 3 | Sejong Center (세종문화회관) | Open |
| 4 | Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장) | Open |
| 5 | Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관) | Open |
| 6 | Gwanghwamun (광화문) | Open |
| 7 | Sajikdan (사직단) · end | Open |
| 8 | Gardener's House (정원사의 집) · certificate counter on the leaflet | Open |
New to Naver Map? Naver Map vs Kakao Map vs Google Maps in Korea explains it.
FAQ
Which course is the quickest to walk?
Course 5, at 1.5 km and about 30 minutes. It is rated "very easy" on the leaflet.
Can you walk the whole Jongno Trail in one day?
The leaflet gives 15.8 km and about 7 hours on foot for all five courses. You may prefer to split it over two days, and the course guides above are linked in the table.
Is the Museum of Korean Contemporary History free?
Yes. Admission is free, and it is closed on Jan 1, Seollal and Chuseok.
Is there parking at Gwanghwamun Square?
No. The Korea Tourism Organization listing says parking is not possible there.
Where does Course 5 lead next?
Course 5 ends at Sajikdan, the start of Jongno Trail Course 1: Inwangsan, so you can start the loop again from there. I will update the Checked date here if the stamp box, the leaflet or the museum hours change.
More on the Jongno Trail
Sources
- Jongno-gu leaflet "Let's walk together, Jongno Dulle-gil" (같이 걸어요 종로둘레길, Korean), seen Oct 15, 2026
- Seoul Metropolitan Government media hub (Korean): Jongno Dulle-gil opening article, Nov 2024 · Gwanghwamun woldae, Oct 23, 2023 · Museum of Korean Contemporary History, 2021
- Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사) listings for Gwanghwamun Square, Gwanghwamun, Sejong Center and the Museum of Korean Contemporary History (addresses, inquiries) · Museum of Korean Contemporary History website (hours, closing days, phone)
- Photos: Korea Tourism Organization photo gallery, Korea Open Government License Type 1 (credited; cropped to size)
— SeoulAslan
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