Gwanghwamun Gukbap

Cheonggyecheon

A stream running east across the middle of the city. The work that lifted the road deck off it began in July 2003 and finished in September 2005, and the water has been walkable alongside ever since. Cheonggye Plaza, at the western end, is where most people start.

Deoksugung Palace

The one palace built for an evening visit — it stays open to 21:00 while the others close in the afternoon, and it sits directly on a subway exit in the middle of the business district.

Seoul Museum of History

Next to Gyeonghuigung, laying out in order how Hanyang became today's Seoul — the right first-day stop for getting the shape of the city. It closes on Mondays, which is exactly when several of the palaces are open.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History

Across from Gwanghwamun Square, covering Korea since the ports opened in 1876. Where the Seoul Museum of History takes the city, this takes the country, so the two do not overlap. Wednesday and Saturday are the only days it runs to 21:00.