Quick Info
Area: Jongno, Seoul
Type: Running Course (Loop + Long Distance Route)
Distance: 3.6 km / 9.82 km
Best Time: Early Morning (6:00 – 8:00 AM)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Start Point: Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)
Introduction
If you’re looking for one of the best running experiences in Seoul, this is it.
Around Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can choose between a short scenic loop or a longer city run.
👉 This guide gives you 3 running options depending on your level and time.
Best Places to Eat After Your Run (Top 5)
Tosokchon Samgyetang – famous ginseng chicken soup
Bukchon Son Mandu – handmade dumplings
Gwangjang Market – street food heaven
Oyang Sikdang – local Korean set meal
Halmaejip Jokbal – Michelin Bib Gourmand
👉 Perfect recovery meals after your run
🗺️ Running Course Options
1️⃣ Gyeongbokgung Palace Loop (3.6 km)
Distance: 3.6 km
Best for: Beginners / Easy runs
Route: Around palace walls
Flat and easy to follow
Minimal navigation needed
Safe and popular
👉 Best for a quick morning run
2️⃣ Jongno Dog Run Course (9.8 km)
Distance: 9.82 km
Best for: Intermediate runners
Route: Palace → Bukchon Hanok Village → Cheonggyecheon Stream → Jongno
Unique “dog-shaped” route
Covers major Seoul landmarks
Mix of city + riverside
👉 Best full-course experience in Seoul
3️⃣ Real GPS Style Route (Practical Use)
Based on actual running paths
More accurate than infographic maps
Recommended for navigation
👉 Use this if you want zero confusion while running
🚇 Easy Exit Points (Important)
If you get tired, you can stop anytime:
Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)
Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5)
Anguk Station (Line 3)
Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1,3,5)
Hyehwa Station (Line 4)
👉 Subway access is very easy along the entire route
🌿 Best Time to Run (Seasonal Tips)
🌸 Spring
Cherry blossoms near Gyeongbokgung
Best weather of the year
👉 6:00 – 8:00 AM
☀️ Summer
Very hot and humid
Run near Cheonggyecheon for cooler air
👉 5:30 – 7:00 AM
🍂 Fall
Cool and clear
Best overall running season
👉 6:30 – 8:30 AM
❄️ Winter
Cold but clean air
Avoid icy early mornings
👉 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Things You Can’t Miss in Jongno
• Walk through Gyeongbokgung Palace – step into royal history with wide palace views that feel almost unreal
Best Things to Do in Gyeongbokgung Palace – 1 Day Itinerary, Hidden Spots & Local Food
• Get lost in Bukchon Hanok Village – quiet alleys and traditional houses that look like a film set
Best Things to Do in Seochon Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Hidden Local Area Guide
• Discover the quiet paths of Jongmyo Shrine – a UNESCO-listed sanctuary where Seoul slows down
Watch the Royal Ancestral Ritual Ceremony at Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul Traditional Cultural Performance You Can See Live (2026)
• Feel the rhythm of Seoul at Gwanghwamun Square – where history and modern life meet
Things to Do at Gwanghwamun Square with Free K-Pop and Cultural Experiences
• Plan your route with the Jongno 1 Day Itinerary – Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – a complete guide to exploring Jongno in one day
Jongno 1 Day Itinerary – Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
Where to Eat Like a Local in Jongno
• Street food in Gwangjang Market – bold flavors and busy energy you will remember
Best Street Food in Gwangjang Market – 5 Must-Try Korean Foods Near Gyeongbokgung
• Korean BBQ in Ikseon-dong – crispy pork belly and smoky flavors that define a real Seoul night
Best Korean BBQ Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – 3 Pork Belly Spots in Ikseon-dong
• Dakhanmari in Dongdaemun – rich chicken broth locals keep coming back for
Best Dakhanmari Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – 3 Must-Try Local Restaurants in Jongno
• Kimchi stew spots near Jongno – deep, spicy comfort food that feels like a home-cooked meal
Best Kimchi Stew Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – $7 Korean Restaurant in Jongno
• ₩10,000 lunch buffets (≈ $7) – simple but satisfying meals loved by office workers
Best Cheap Korean Lunch Buffet in Jongno Local Office Workers Restaurant Near Gyeongbokgung
Final Thoughts
Running in Jongno is not just exercise.
It’s one of the best ways to experience Seoul like a local.
👉 Early morning is always the best time.
Practical Information
✔ Google Maps Location:
👉 View Gyeongbokgung Running Start Point & Walking Directions on Google Maps