Hi there! It’s your local friend Yeda back again!
Are you ready for the ultimate Seoul Bike Tour in my beautiful home, Seoul?
Today, I’m taking you on a journey that combines my two favorite things: fresh air and deep history.
We aren’t just taking the subway from point A to point B today.
Instead, we are going to feel the breeze on our faces and see the city move at our own pace.
If you really want to see the “soul” of Seoul, you have to do it on two wheels.
I want to name today’s route the Ultimate Gwanghwamun Seoul bike tour.
It starts at the bustling Seoul station, passes through the vibrant Seoul City Hall, and ends at the majestic Gyeongbokgung Palace.
I’ve designed this route to be easy, scenic, and packed with stories that most tour buses just drive right past.
So, grab your helmet, and let’s get pedaling!
🕒 Seoul Bike Tour: Route at a Glance
Before we jump into the stories, let’s look at the logistics.
This route is roughly 3.5–4 km (about 2.5 miles).
If you rode straight through, it would take about 20 minutes, but we’re taking our time to explore.
🚲 Seoul Station → City Hall
Riding time: 10–12 minutes
You’ll see:
Sungnyemun (Namdaemun Gate), Seoullo 7017 view
🚲 City Hall → Gwanghwamun
Riding time: 5–8 minutes
You’ll see:
Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, historic statues
🚲 Gwanghwamun → Gyeongbokgung
Riding time: 3–5 minutes
You’ll see:
Gwanghwamun Gate, National Palace Museum area
⏳ Total Exploration Time: 2–3 hours,
including photo stops, snacks, and short history breaks
🚲 Step 0: Meet Your New Best Friend, “Ddareungyi”
If you’re a tourist, you don’t need to buy a bike!
Seoul has an incredible bike-sharing system called Ddareungyi(Seoul Bike).
You’ll see these white and green bikes parked at docking stations all over the city.
For a complete step-by-step guide on how to download the app and set up your account, make sure to check out my previous post where I break down the entire registration process for foreigners!
🛠️ Troubleshooting: When the Card Payment Acts Up
I know, I know—technology is great until it isn’t.
Sometimes, foreign credit cards can be a bit finicky with the Ttareungyi app due to “3D Secure” authentication or international roaming glitches.
If your payment keeps failing, don’t panic!
Here are a few tricks I’ve learned from my traveler friends:
Check your Connection
Sometimes the app timed out because of a weak Wi-Fi signal. Try switching to your 4G/5G data.
The “Foreigner” Tab
Ensure you are using the “Foreigner” or “Guest” login option, which is specifically designed to accept international cards (Visa/Mastercard).
Try Discover/Amex alternative
If your primary card fails, sometimes a different provider works better.
Daily Pass via Discover Seoul Pass
If you have the Discover Seoul Pass, you can actually use it to get a Ddareungyi voucher code, skipping the credit card hassle entirely!
There is a huge bike station right outside Seoul Station Exit 1.
Once you’ve got your bike unlocked, our Seoul Bike Tour journey begins!
🏛️ Section 1: The Start of our Seoul Bike Tour (Seoul Station → City Hall)
Our ride begins at Seoul Station, one of the main gateways into the city.
As you start cycling, you’ll notice something interesting.
Seoul doesn’t hide its layers.
On one side, modern glass and steel.
On the other, history quietly holding its ground.
Just a few minutes into the ride, you pass Sungnyemun (Namdaemun Gate).
This is National Treasure No.1.
It once marked the southern entrance to old Seoul.
Today, it stands surrounded by traffic and skyscrapers.
A perfect symbol of how Seoul moves forward without erasing the past.
⛲ Section 2: Seoul City Hall & a City That Keeps Changing
As you head north, you arrive at Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza.
This area feels very Seoul.
The glass wave-shaped building is the current City Hall.
But right in front of it sits another important building.
That stone building used to be the old Seoul City Hall.
Today, it is the Seoul Metropolitan Library.
This small detail matters.
Seoul often reuses its old spaces instead of removing them.
Government becomes a library.
Administration turns into a public space.
It’s a quiet kind of transformation.
About Deoksugung (Optional Stop)
Just across the street is Deoksugung Palace.
In my video, I didn’t go inside.
But it’s still worth knowing about.
Deoksugung is smaller than Gyeongbokgung,
but it’s famous for its Stone Wall Road.
There’s a well-known local legend here.
Couples who walk this road together will break up.
The reason?
A divorce court once stood nearby.
True or not,
it’s one of those stories that Seoul locals love to share.
🌊 Passing by Cheonggyecheon Stream
As you continue riding, you’ll pass Cheonggyecheon Stream.
This stream used to be a highway.
Today, it’s one of the city’s most relaxing walking paths.
I like to walk along the Cheonggyecheon in the summertime.
⚔️ Section 3: The Heart of the Route (Gwanghwamun Square)
This is where the ride opens up.
You arrive at Gwanghwamun Square, with Bugaksan Mountain rising behind it.
At the center of the square stand two figures that define Korean history.
King Sejong the Great
King Sejong sits calmly on his throne.
He created Hangul, the Korean alphabet.
Before that, reading and writing were limited to elites.
He believed language should belong to everyone.
So he designed Hangul to be logical, simple, and accessible.
It changed Korea forever.
Admiral Yi Sun-sin
Nearby stands Admiral Yi Sun-sin, one of Korea’s most respected heroes.
He never lost a naval battle.
Even when outnumbered 13 ships to 300.
His most famous innovation was the Geobukseon, also known as the Turtle Ship.
An armored warship.
Spiked roof.
Dragon-headed cannons.
A moving fortress at sea.
🏯 Ending at Gyeongbokgung Palace
From Gwanghwamun Square, you arrive naturally at Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Return your Seoul Bike (DDareungyi) nearby.
Then slow down.
This palace was built in 1395.
It was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
Walking through it feels like stepping out of modern Seoul and into another era.
💡 Yeda’s Golden Tip: Hanbok Entry
If you wear a Hanbok, entry is free.
Rental shops are everywhere near the palace.
It’s affordable. And the photos are worth it.
Yes, locals do this too.
Check the [Official Gyeongbokgung website] for opening hours
🥘 Where to Eat After Your Ride? Best K-Food spots near Gyeongbokgung
You’ve burned some calories, so it’s time to eat.
And this is the part I never skip—because for me, a bike ride in Seoul always feels complete only after a good local meal.
Tosokchon Samgyetang
This is probably the most famous ginseng chicken soup place in Seoul, and it sits right near Gyeongbokgung Palace.
It’s the kind of place locals go to when they want to recover, slow down, and quietly recharge their energy.
Tongin Market
If you still feel curious and want to keep exploring, Tongin Market is a fun and very Seoul-style option.
Here, you exchange cash for traditional brass coins called Yeopjeon, then walk around choosing small portions from different vendors.
Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (Seochon)
This is one of those places locals quietly swear by, especially people who have lived in this neighborhood for a long time.
They serve handmade knife-cut noodles in a deep anchovy-based broth that feels simple but very comforting after a long ride.
My parents always recommend this place, and especially tell me not to skip the handmade dumplings.
I also featured Hwangsaengga Kalguksu in my video, so this stop is not just a recommendation—it’s personally tested and fully Yeda-approved.
Wrapping Up Seoul Bike Tour
Cycling from Seoul Station to Gyeongbokgung isn’t just a way to get around; it’s a way to see how Seoul has evolved over 600 years.
You start at the modern gateway of the city, pass through the center of modern government and protest, and finish at the heart of our ancient kindom.
See the 600-year journey for yourself in my latest vlog.
I hope this Seoul Bike Tour guide helps you plan an unforgettable day in Seoul.
Don’t forget to read my [safety tips for Seoul cycling] before you head out!”
Would you like me to create a custom 1-day itinerary that includes this bike route plus the best hidden cafes in Seochon?
Just let me know!