A Walk Through Seoul's Modern History

Seoul's story isn't just its old palaces — its modern history is just as rich. Walking through it is a good way to feel the sweep of 20th-century change in Korea.

Worth walking

Jeongdong-gil — a quiet street lined with traces of early modern diplomacy and architecture.
Deoksugung Palace — a palace that also includes Western-style buildings.
Seoul Station and Seoullo 7017 — a former overpass turned into a public park.

The Jeongdong area clusters together early modern legations, an Anglican cathedral, and old theaters, making it a great half-day walking course.

Also worth seeing

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History sits right next to Gwanghwamun Square, making it an easy stop to pull the modern-history story together. Admission is free, and it's open weekdays 10:00–18:00 (until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays), closed on January 1, Lunar New Year's Day, and Chuseok.

Walking it on a weekday morning is quiet, and there are plenty of cafes along the way to take a break.