Seoul City Hall & Seoul Metropolitan Library & Seoul Plaza (Seoul Palace, Hanok Village Seoul)

Hello, Happy Dream Life is here. Today, I will introduce you a place you should visit in Seoul, Korea if it is your first trip to Korea: Seoul City Hall & Seoul Metropolitan Library & Seoul Plaza. 

Seoul City Hall

 

Seoul City Hall's new building was completed in 2012. It is a state-of-the-art building because of its short history, but there is a strong feeling that the Seoul City Hall building does not go well with the surrounding area, as is the place where many foreign tourists visit, such as the district office, Deoksugung Palace, and Gwanghwamun Gate. Also, the place is close to Hanok Village (Bukchon Hanok Village). I have a personal opinion that it would have been better if it were a building that preserved the traditional beauty of Korea.

As you can see above (If you can read Korean), the Seoul City Hall is located near the City Hall station. The Seoul Metropolitan Library (Old Seoul City Hall District Office), Deoksugung Palace, and Gwanghwamun Gate are nearby, so foreigners will enjoy this place when they visit Korea/Seoul for the first time. It gives rest to Seoul city dwellers who see only skyscrapers every day, and gives special experiences and memories to lovers.

As you can see in the picture above, the Seoul City Hall (Seoul City Hall new office) is attached to the Seoul Library (Old Seoul City Hall ), but I keep thinking that the new one doesn't fit personally.

There were so many discussion before the new building was completed. Perhaps it took a long time because it was a city hall representing Seoul City, so the government had to accept public opinion and opinions from experts in various fields.

For those who visit the Seoul City Hall for a trip, please refer to the tour-related materials listed on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website as the Tongtong Tour. Visit the vertical garden, works of artists, and Sky Plaza Gallery.

Seoul Metropolitan Library

 

In the case of the Seoul Metropolitan Library, it used to be the Seoul City Hall building. It started as Gyeongseong-bu building in 1926 and was used as Seoul City Hall from 1946 to 2008. That's why people call it old Seoul City Hall.

It was built in Japanese colonial era, but after the completion of the new building, it is now being used as a library for citizens.

It's also registered as a national cultural asset.

The location is located at City Hall Station as you can see on the map above (If you can read Korean).

If you go to the Seoul Metropolitan Library, you can look around the library, read books, and visit the old mayor's office, the Seoul Archives and Culture Center, Global Collection, and the City Hall Relic Exhibition Room.

Seoul Plaza

Seoul Plaza is the place where Korean history resides. In the past, there was Seoul Plaza when there were big events in Korean history such as the March 1st Movement, the June Democracy Movement, and the 2002 World Cup.

The location is located at City Hall Station, as you can see on the map above (If you can read Korean).

This is what I saw from above. It's quiet because of the Covid 19.

Shall we watch the videos below to see what the Seoul City Hall, Seoul Metropolitan Library, and Seoul Plaza look like in the evening and during the day?

What do you think? We filmed in the same place. Doesn't it feel different in the evening and in the daytime?

 

Summary: If a foreigner visits Seoul for the first time, I would like to ask him/her to look around the City Hall station without hesitation. Because I can feel the beauty of Korean tradition and modern architecture. It is a good place to visit not only for foreigners but also for healing regardless of age. Personally, I'd like to give 4 out of 5.

 

 

 

Have a great day.

I forbid unauthorized use of my writing and photos!!