Suddenly, the padded jacket you’ve been wearing all winter feels too heavy. And if you look around, you’ll notice that those achromatic-colored padded jackets have been replaced with lighter and brighter attire. Along with the scent of flowers, the warm spring breeze whispers that flowers have started to bloom in the south. We feel that urge to retire our thick-padded jackets, throw on our spring clothes, and set out on a spring outing. And with Jongno right on our doorstep at the heart of Seoul, there’s no need to go far out of your way for that special outing. On your way to welcome in the spring season upon us, you’ll undoubtedly pick up a little spring in your step!

Seoul is a fascinating city. With seemingly infinite skyscrapers that never go dark, Seoul appears to be your typical city, but take a step back, and you’ll discover the many hidden stories being told within the narrow alleys of the city. So, let’s venture over to the alleys of Seochon, where a slew of potential anecdotes await!

Located within a five-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station of subway line 3, the Seochon Village area resembles a cultural complex.
With attraction points ranging from Lee Sang's House, the house of the brilliant writer, Lee Sang, to Daeo Bookstore , a vintage bookstore that earned fame as the filming location for multiple dramas and the singer IU’s music video, and the gaming arcades of old that cherish that ‘90s vibe, Seochon Village is an excellent location to go on a spring date.

The longstanding, low-story buildings with tiled roofs emanate a sense of emotional stability that urban structures cannot offer.
Nonetheless, Seochon is much more than an alley reminiscent of days of old. In fact, the Seochon Village itself is continually evolving into a lively neighborhood with the unique blend of trendy select shops dotting the area and the vibes from visiting crowds. It’s the perfect spot to start your celebration of spring’s arrival in Seoul!

Our pace hurries as we try to avoid anything that impedes spring’s arrival and seek out a respite where we can bask in the warm spring we have all been longing for. And what better place to do so than the The Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace , located on the grounds of Changgyeonggung Palace, one of the five major palaces in Seoul.

Take a 15-minute walk from exit 4 of Hyehwa Station, subway line 4, and you will find Honghwamun Gate, the entrance to Changgyeonggung Palace. Go for a stroll in the palace while enjoying the beautiful dancheong (traditional Korean decorative coloring on wooden buildings and artifacts). You will soon encounter Chundangji Pond, which presents a marvelous, vibrantly colorful view throughout each season of the year. Immediately upon passing Chundangji Pond, you will face the white antique building of the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace.

Constructed in 1909, this palace greenhouse was the first western-style greenhouse in Korea and was the most significant greenhouse in the country at the time. Built around the concept of 19th century, modern European-style architecture, the mixture of both a wooden and steel structure is enveloped with a glass exterior. The white skeletal frame and glass-covered exterior of the greenhouse standing among the traditional palace make-up of wooden materials, roof tiles, and colorful dancheong harmonize to create an exotic yet mystical scene.

Upon the building’s completion, the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace had tropical ornamental plants and rare plants on display. However, since the restoration of Changgyeonggung Palace in 1986, the greenhouse has changed the scheme of their display with plants indigenous to Korea, natural monuments, wildflowers, and more. The interior houses small yet cute plant life, trees, and red flowers that naturally blend together with the blue sky above peaking through the glass ceiling for a view that’s nothing short of picturesque. Although it may yet be a bit chilly beyond the glass surface, spring has already reached the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace. Be the first to enjoy the spring vibes in Seoul by going on a romantic date while bathing in the warm sunlight.

Free admission is available to visitors wearing a hanbok and on Culture Day, or the Wednesday falling on the last week of the month. Visitors can borrow audio guides for 3,000 won in four different languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Night tours have also become available from March 1, 2022, allowing visitors to enjoy the Grand Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace until 8:45 in the evening. Enjoy the nightviewing of both the Grand Greenhouse and Changgyeonggung Palace with the lighting that adds to the already unique atmosphere of the palace grounds.

Seoul resembles a multiplex with everything from alleys and buildings to mountains, rivers, and fortress walls. Seoul also encapsulates the past, present, and future. Jongno, in particular, seems to be the perfect place for a time slip into the past. Naksan Park is a redesigned area of the fortress walls ranging from Hyehwamun Gate to Heunginjimun Gate.

Unlike the spacious, flat grounds that most people are reminded of when thinking of parks, Naksan Park leads uphill along the fortress walls. Depending on where you set off, you can either stroll along the urban forest trail or walk while enjoying the exterior of the fortress walls. The quickest route to Naksan Park is to start off from Hyehwa Station. To reach the Park without much walking, hop onto the green Jongno 03 bus (branch bus) at either Dongdaemun Station exit 2 or Dongmyo Station exit 10, then get off at the final stop “Naksan Park”.

Naksan Park is well known as one of the best places to enjoy Seoul’s stunning nightscape. Take a slow walk up to the Park along the fortress walls at dusk, and it will seem as if the city gradually draws back, making it feel like you are stepping into the Joseon Dynasty. The signboards placed in and around the Park explain the fortification period and development process, offering the excitement of walking along the history of the fortress walls that have protected Hanyang (the capital of Joseon, current Seoul) for five centuries. Although the city lights grow distant, the moderate lights throughout the Park are good enough to guide you around.

Upon your arrival at Naksan Park, you will feel the gentle spring breeze. The view of downtown Seoul from Naksan Park is somewhat different from what we’ve usually seen from aside. It even feels like watching the sparkling future of Seoul from Hanyang of the Joseon Dynasty. Come and enjoy a romantic spring date in Seoul along with its brilliant nightscape.