Naksan Park sits on top of Naksan, a hill in Seoul’s Jongno-gu district. It’s open 24 hours, and admission is free. From Exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on Subway Line 4, the walk to the park takes 10 minutes. A path runs along the Seoul City Wall (Hanyangdoseong), and the city opens up below it. That view is why so many people climb up after sunset.
What Is Naksan Park?
The Seoul City Wall (서울한양도성) went up to protect Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon dynasty, from invaders. It links the four inner mountains that ring the old capital, Bugaksan, Inwangsan, Namsan, and Naksan, and runs about 18.2 km in total. Naksan Park covers the Naksan section of the wall. As you walk beside the fortress, the city spreads out in a wide panorama.
Inside the park are Observation Plazas 1 to 3, walking paths, and restrooms. There’s also the Naksan Park Exhibition Hall (낙산공원전시관), where photos and models explain where Naksan got its name and tell the story of the city wall. Entry to the hall is free. Behind the Catholic University (가톨릭대학), you can compare the wall’s stones and see how their shape changed depending on when each part was built.
Naksan Park Night View: Best Time and Spots
The park never closes, so a late-evening visit is no problem. For the widest views over Seoul, head to Observation Plazas 1 to 3 or the area near the Naksan summit. The path right beside the wall is open too, so you can take in the skyline as you walk.
From Exit 2 of Hyehwa Station, the summit is about a 15-minute walk. Leave around sunset and you’ll see the wall at dusk on the way up and the city lit up by the time you reach the top.
Naksan Park Hours, Admission & Parking
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 41 Naksan-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Dongsung-dong) / 서울특별시 종로구 낙산길 41 (동숭동) |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, year-round |
| Admission | Free |
| Naksan Park Exhibition Hall | Tue–Sun 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays), free entry |
| Parking lot | Always open, about 25–26 regular spaces and 1 accessible space |
| Parking fee | 300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 10 minutes |
| Park information | 02-3783-5900, 02-743-7985 |
| Parking information | 070-8955-7426 |
| Website | https://parks.seoul.go.kr/template/sub/naksan.do |
Parking is limited, so public transportation is the easier choice.
How Long Is the Naksan Section of the Seoul City Wall Trail?
The Naksan section of the city wall trail (순성길) runs from Hyehwamun Gate (혜화문) to Heunginjimun Gate (흥인지문). It’s 3.2 km long and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes on foot. Difficulty is rated two out of five stars (★★), and the trail is open 24 hours as well.
| Trail info | Details |
|---|---|
| Start → finish | Hyehwamun Gate → Heunginjimun Gate |
| Distance | 3.2 km |
| Time | About 1 hour 30 minutes on foot |
| Difficulty | ★★ |
| Open | 24 hours |
The route, in order: Hyehwamun Gate → Hansung University Station Exit 4 → wooden stairs → the back road behind the Catholic University → Jangsu Village (장수마을) → Naksan Park Nori Madang (놀이마당) → Naksan summit → Ihwa Village (이화마을) → Seoul City Wall Museum (한양도성박물관) → Heunginjimun Park (흥인지문공원) → Heunginjimun Gate.
How to Get to Naksan Park
Hyehwa Station on Line 4 is the closest subway station. Hansung University Station and Dongdaemun Station are also good starting points.
| From | How | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul Station | Subway Line 4 → get off at Hyehwa Station | Not specified | 1,550 KRW (~$1.17 USD) with a transit card / 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) cash (base fare) |
| Hyehwa Station (Line 4), Exit 2 | Walk | 10 min to the park, 15 min to the summit, 20 min to Ihwa Village | Free |
| Hansung University Station (Line 4), Exit 4 | Walk | 3 min to the Naksan entrance (Hyehwamun Gate) | Free |
| Dongdaemun Station (Lines 1 & 4), Exit 5 | Village bus Jongno 03 (종로03) → get off at the Naksan Park last stop | Not specified | Not specified |
By bus, get off at the Naksan Park stop (toward Naksan Samgeori, 낙산삼거리) or the Hyehwa Station Marronnier Park (마로니에공원) stop and walk from there. Drivers can use the park’s own lot (300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 10 minutes), but it only has about 25–26 regular spaces.
Naksan Park Tips for Visiting
- Skip some of the uphill with the village bus. From Dongdaemun Station Exit 5, village bus Jongno 03 runs all the way to its last stop at Naksan Park.
- See the Exhibition Hall in the daytime. It closes at 17:00 and stays shut on Mondays. If you want the exhibits and the night view, get there in the afternoon.
- Walk the city wall trail too. The 3.2 km route from Hyehwamun Gate to Heunginjimun Gate takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and passes Naksan Park, Ihwa Village, and the Seoul City Wall Museum.
- Keep your voice down in the villages. People live in Jangsu Village and Ihwa Village, so be careful not to disturb them.
- A transit card saves money. The base subway fare is 1,550 KRW (~$1.17 USD) with a transit card and 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) in cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Naksan Park close?
Naksan Park doesn’t close. It’s open 24 hours, year-round, so you can come for the night view as late as you like.
Is there an admission fee for Naksan Park?
No, entry is free. The Naksan Park Exhibition Hall inside the park is also free.
How long is the walk from Hyehwa Station to Naksan Park?
It takes 10 minutes from Hyehwa Station Exit 2 to the park. The Naksan summit is 15 minutes away, and Ihwa Village is 20 minutes away.
Is there parking at Naksan Park, and how much does it cost?
Yes. Parking costs 300 KRW (~$0.23 USD) per 10 minutes. The lot is always open and has about 25–26 regular spaces and 1 accessible space. For parking questions, call 070-8955-7426.
When is the Naksan Park Exhibition Hall open?
The Naksan Park Exhibition Hall is open Tuesday through Sunday, 09:00–17:00. It’s closed on Mondays, and entry is free.
How long does the Naksan section of the Seoul City Wall trail take?
It’s 3.2 km from Hyehwamun Gate to Heunginjimun Gate, about 1 hour 30 minutes on foot. The difficulty is ★★, and you can walk it at any hour.
How do I get from Seoul Station to Naksan Park?
Take Subway Line 4 from Seoul Station to Hyehwa Station, leave through Exit 2, and walk about 10 minutes. The base subway fare is 1,550 KRW (~$1.17 USD) with a transit card or 1,650 KRW (~$1.25 USD) in cash.
