Yongsan District, Seoul, Korea: What to See, Where to Stay and How to Get Around
Yongsan District (용산구, Yongsan-gu) is the slice of central Seoul, Korea, between Namsan mountain and the Han River. It holds two of the city's biggest free museums, the former US Army base that is slowly becoming a national park, Itaewon and Hannam-dong, and Yongsan Station, where KTX trains leave for the southwest. About 199,600 people are registered as living there (June 2026, Ministry of the Interior and Safety figures).
It is also the district that changed most in the past year. The presidential office, which moved into Yongsan in May 2022, went back to Cheong Wa Dae (청와대) on 29 December 2025. The next day, the park beside it stopped asking visitors for bookings and ID checks. Most English guides to Yongsan were written before either happened.
This guide covers what is in the district now, which neighbourhood to pick, how to get between them, and where to stay.
Lonely Planet Seoul (Travel Guide) — neighbourhood maps incl. Itaewon and Yongsan, on AmazonAffiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, EpicKor earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Yongsan District Quick Guide
| Question | Answer (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| What is Yongsan? | One of Seoul's 25 districts (구, gu), in the centre of the city between Namsan and the Han River |
| Population | 199,648 registered residents (June 2026) |
| Best free sights | War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관), National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관), Yongsan Children's Garden (용산어린이정원) — all ₩0 |
| Main stations | Yongsan (Line 1, Gyeongui–Jungang, KTX), Sinyongsan (Line 4), Samgakji (Lines 4 and 6), Ichon (Line 4, Gyeongui–Jungang), Itaewon and Hangangjin (Line 6) |
| Subway fare | ₩1,550 base fare by card |
| What changed in 2025 | Presidential office back to Cheong Wa Dae (29 Dec 2025); park entry without booking (from 30 Dec 2025) |
| Closed on Mondays | War Memorial and Yongsan Children's Garden. The National Museum opens on Mondays |
| Best for | A history morning, a cafe afternoon and a night in Itaewon, all within three subway stops |
Yongsan's Neighbourhoods Compared
"Yongsan" on a hotel listing can mean six quite different places. This is how they divide.
| Area | Korean | Station | What it is | Go for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yongsan Station | 용산역 | Yongsan (Line 1, KTX); Sinyongsan (Line 4) | Rail hub with I'Park Mall and the Dragon City hotels | Trains south, shopping, big chain hotels |
| Yongridan-gil | 용리단길 | Between Samgakji and Sinyongsan (Line 4) | Low-rise lanes of cafes and small restaurants | Lunch, bakeries, wine bars |
| Samgakji | 삼각지 | Samgakji (Lines 4, 6) | Old office and food streets beside the War Memorial | The War Memorial, cheap lunches |
| Itaewon | 이태원 | Itaewon, Noksapyeong (Line 6) | Seoul's most international street, next to the old base | Global food, bars, nightlife |
| Hannam-dong | 한남동 | Hangangjin (Line 6) | Upmarket galleries, fashion flagships, Leeum museum | Design shops, brunch, art |
| Ichon | 이촌 | Ichon (Line 4, Gyeongui–Jungang) | Quiet riverside flats with a Japanese expat community | National Museum, Han River park |
Haebangchon (해방촌), the hillside village above Itaewon, also sits in Yongsan; it has its own guide.
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The War Memorial of Korea: Free, Huge, Closed Mondays
The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관) at 29 Itaewon-ro is the district's anchor, and it costs nothing. The museum's own visitor page lists:
- Hours: 09:30–17:40, last entry 17:00
- Admission: free (paid rental exhibitions are separate)
- Closed: every Monday; after a holiday weekend that includes a Monday, the day after the holiday instead; 1 January, Seollal day and Chuseok day
- Getting there: Samgakji Station, Line 6 Exit 12 (about three minutes on foot) or Line 4 Exit 1 (about five)
Give it at least two hours. The indoor halls run from prehistoric weapons to the 1950–53 Korean War, and the outdoor yard holds tanks, artillery and aircraft with Namsan Tower behind them. Scheduled guided tours are free and need no sign-up, including English tours of the Korean War hall at 10:30 and 14:30; private tour groups cannot join them.
The Korean War: A History (Bruce Cumings) — the short one-volume history The memorial tells the war room by room, in date order. Cumings is the one-evening read that explains why the halls start in 1945, not 1950, and what the outdoor yard is not telling you. As an Amazon Associate, EpicKor earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
See The Korean War: A History on AmazonYongsan Park: What Is Open in 2026
Yongsan Park (용산공원) is the plan to turn the former US Army Garrison Yongsan into a national park of roughly 3 km², a little larger than Yeouido. It is happening in pieces. US Forces Korea moved its headquarters to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek in 2018, but land is handed back plot by plot, and a September 2026 Korea Economic Daily report put the share returned so far at about 30%.
What you can walk into today:
Yongsan Children's Garden (용산어린이정원). The largest open section, around the old officers' housing and sports field. It first opened in May 2023 with advance booking, ID checks and bag screening, because it sat next to the presidential office. Since 30 December 2025 you can walk in without any of that. The official site lists:
- Hours: Tuesday–Friday and Sunday 09:00–18:00 (last entry 17:00); Saturday 09:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00); indoor facilities close at 17:30
- Entry: free
- Main gate: 29 Hangang-daero 38-gil, five minutes from Sinyongsan Station (Line 4) Exit 1
- Side gate: about 730 m from Ichon Station Exit 2; car park (entered via the National Museum's west gate) ₩1,000 for the first hour, then ₩500 per 10 minutes
The name is under review: the transport ministry said it would pick a new one, not tied to children or any age group, after public consultation running to June 2026. As of October 2026 the official site still uses 용산어린이정원.
Officers' Housing Complex 5 (장교숙소 5단지). A separate returned block at 221 Seobinggo-ro, near Seobinggo Station (Gyeongui–Jungang).
Two things to know before you go. The site was a military base for over a century, and soil contamination is still debated: the ministry's sixth outdoor air-quality monitoring found all 12 measured substances within environmental standards or similar to surrounding areas, while environmental groups want the soil cleaned up first. And in August 2026 reports that the government was studying housing on part of the site drew objections from Seoul's mayor and Yongsan-gu; the ministry said nothing had been decided, though a presidential secretary later said youth housing was being reviewed.
Where to Stay in Yongsan
Yongsan is central for transport, but each part suits a different trip. Pick by what you will do at night and where you arrive.
| Base | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Yongsan Station / Dragon City | KTX trips to Jeonju, Gwangju, Mokpo or Yeosu; big chain hotels with direct station access | Few late-night bars on the doorstep |
| Itaewon | Nightlife, international food, Line 6 | Noise on weekends; steep side streets |
| Hannam-dong | Quiet upmarket stay near galleries and shops | Higher rates, fewer budget rooms |
| Sinyongsan / Samgakji | Walking to Yongridan-gil, the park and the War Memorial; Line 4 to Myeongdong | Mostly small hotels and serviced flats |
For a first trip focused on palaces and shopping, Myeongdong or Jongno is still more convenient; our first-trip area guide compares them, and Seoul hotel prices by month shows when rates spike.
Yongsan hotels on Agoda — zoom the Seoul map to Yongsan Search Seoul, enter your dates, then pan the map to Yongsan Station, Itaewon or Hannam-dong from the table above. Check the walk to the station exit, the cancellation terms and the final price including tax before you book. EpicKor may earn a commission from qualifying bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Compare Seoul hotels on AgodaNational Museum of Korea: Free and Open on Mondays
The National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관) sits on the Ichon side of the district and drew 6,507,483 visitors in 2025, a record and about 1.7 times 2024's total. Its official hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday: 09:30–17:30 (last entry 17:00)
- Wednesday and Saturday: 09:30–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
- Outdoor garden: 07:00–22:00
- Admission: free for the permanent galleries and the children's museum; paid special exhibitions only
- 2026 closures: 1 January, 17 February (Seollal) and 25 September (Chuseok); the permanent galleries also close on 7 December
It is the one big Yongsan sight open on a Monday, which makes it the obvious pairing when the War Memorial and the park are shut. Take Ichon Station Exit 2 and the underground walkway to the west gate. Our National Museum crowds guide has the quiet hours; the MU:DS souvenir shop guide covers the shop.
Itaewon, Haebangchon and Hannam-dong
Itaewon (이태원) grew up outside the US base gates and is still Seoul's most international street: halal restaurants near the Seoul Central Mosque, African and Middle Eastern grocers, and a dense strip of bars. The main road, Itaewon-ro, runs from Itaewon Station to Hangangjin.
Haebangchon (해방촌) climbs Namsan behind Itaewon: rooftop bars, Sinheung Market (신흥시장) and a free inclined lift beside the 108 steps. The easy way up is green village bus Yongsan 02 (₩1,200) from Noksapyeong; our Haebangchon guide has the routes.
Hannam-dong (한남동) is the quieter, wealthier end, around Hangangjin Station: fashion flagships, cafes and the Leeum Museum of Art. If you are choosing between Seoul's trend districts, see Seongsu vs Hannam; for nights out, Hongdae vs Itaewon vs Gangnam.
One more thing about Itaewon. The narrow alley beside Hamilton Hotel, near Itaewon Station Exit 1, is where 159 people died in the crowd crush of 29 October 2022 (10·29 이태원 참사). Since October 2023 it has been marked as the 10·29 Memory and Safety Path (10·29 기억과 안전의 길), and visitors pass through it quietly.
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Yongridan-gil: Where Yongsan Eats
Yongridan-gil (용리단길) is the nickname for the lanes of Hangangno 2-ga between Sinyongsan and Samgakji. It was a low-rise pocket of houses and workshops until Amorepacific built its headquarters next door and the lunchtime crowd arrived; now it is cafes, bakeries, Vietnamese and Japanese small plates, and wine bars. It is a short walk from either Samgakji or Sinyongsan station on Line 4; use a map app for the lane you want.
It is not one street with one entrance, and the queues move with Instagram. Go on a weekday before noon, or pick one place and wander rather than chasing a list.
For how Korean tables work once you sit down, see our banchan guide.
Yongsan Station, I'Park Mall and the Electronics Market
Yongsan Station (용산역) is the district's transport hub: Line 1 and the Gyeongui–Jungang Line, plus KTX and ITX trains on the Honam and Jeolla lines towards Jeonju, Gwangju, Mokpo and Yeosu. HDC I'Park Mall is built onto the station, and the four hotels of Seoul Dragon City stand next to it. Sinyongsan Station (Line 4) is a short walk away. Since 1 October 2026, KTX seats open two months ahead; our rail booking guide has the details.
The old Yongsan Electronics Market (용산전자상가) behind the station is being rebuilt as an AI and ICT business district. Parts of the Najin buildings have been demolished, and Seoul said on 11 October 2026 that construction on Zone 5 (Najin buildings 12 and 13) would start that month; the Seonin and Wonhyo buildings were still trading when Bizhankook visited. If you came to buy a laptop or camera, read our electronics guide first: it explains where to go instead and how the tax refund works.
Ichon Hangang Park
Ichon Hangang Park (이촌한강공원) is Yongsan's stretch of the Han River, about ten minutes on foot from Ichon Station. In the late 2010s Seoul tore out much of its concrete embankment and restored natural riverbank, so it is grassier and quieter than Yeouido across the water: cycle paths, reed beds and, in September, cosmos fields. It pairs well with the National Museum on the same afternoon.
For night picnics and delivery on the river, see our Hangang night picnic guide.
Why Yongsan Keeps Changing: The President and the Base
Yongsan has hosted foreign armies since the late 19th century: Qing troops in 1882, the Japanese army from 1904, and the US Army from 1945. For most of the 20th century the middle of the district was walled off, which is why the park land is so large and so central.
In May 2022 the presidential office moved from Cheong Wa Dae into the former Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, and "Yongsan" became shorthand for the presidency. That ended on 29 December 2025, when President Lee Jae-myung began working from Cheong Wa Dae again. The Yongsan building returns to the defence ministry. For visitors, the practical change was the park: with the president gone, the security checks went too.
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How to Get Around Yongsan
| Station | Lines | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Yongsan 용산 | Line 1, Gyeongui–Jungang, KTX/ITX | Trains south, I'Park Mall, Dragon City |
| Sinyongsan 신용산 | Line 4 | Yongsan Children's Garden (Exit 1), Yongridan-gil |
| Samgakji 삼각지 | Lines 4 and 6 | War Memorial (Line 6 Exit 12), Yongridan-gil |
| Ichon 이촌 | Line 4, Gyeongui–Jungang | National Museum (Exit 2), Ichon Hangang Park |
| Itaewon 이태원 / Noksapyeong 녹사평 | Line 6 | Itaewon, Haebangchon village bus |
| Hangangjin 한강진 | Line 6 | Hannam-dong, Leeum |
Distances look short on the map, but Itaewon and Haebangchon are hilly and the park walls force detours. Use Line 6 between Samgakji and Itaewon, and a taxi in rain.
A One-Day Yongsan Route
| Time | Stop | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 | War Memorial of Korea | Samgakji Exit 12; free; not on Mondays |
| 12:00 | Lunch in Yongridan-gil | Five minutes' walk; go before the office lunch rush |
| 14:00 | Yongsan Children's Garden | Main gate near Sinyongsan Exit 1; no booking |
| 16:00 | National Museum of Korea | Open to 21:00 on Wednesday and Saturday |
| Evening | Itaewon or Hannam-dong | Line 6 from Samgakji, or a short taxi |
On a Monday, swap the morning for the National Museum and Ichon Hangang Park, and keep the evening in Itaewon.
Video: Yongsan in 2024
FAQ
Q: What is Yongsan District in Seoul?
Yongsan-gu (용산구) is one of Seoul's 25 districts, in the centre of the city between Namsan and the Han River. It includes Itaewon, Hannam-dong, Yongsan Station, the War Memorial of Korea, the National Museum of Korea and the former US Army base now becoming Yongsan Park.
Q: Is the Korean president's office still in Yongsan?
No. It moved to Yongsan in May 2022 and went back to Cheong Wa Dae in December 2025; President Lee Jae-myung's first working day there was 29 December 2025. The Yongsan building returns to the Ministry of National Defense.
Q: Do I need a reservation for Yongsan Park?
Not any more. Yongsan Children's Garden dropped advance booking and ID checks on 30 December 2025. It is free and open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00, until 18:00 (21:00 on Saturdays).
Q: Are the War Memorial and the National Museum free?
Yes. Both have free permanent exhibitions; only special or rental exhibitions charge. The War Memorial closes on Mondays; the National Museum opens on Mondays and stays open until 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Q: Is Yongsan a good area to stay in Seoul?
Yes, if you will take KTX trains south from Yongsan Station or want Itaewon's nightlife. For a first trip built around palaces and shopping, Myeongdong or Jongno is closer.
Q: Is the Yongsan Electronics Market still open?
Partly. Parts of the Najin buildings are demolished or closed for redevelopment, with construction starting on Najin buildings 12 and 13 in October 2026, while the Seonin and Wonhyo buildings still trade. See our electronics guide before you go.
Sources
- War Memorial of Korea, visitor information (hours, admission, closures), warmemo.or.kr, read 15 October 2026.
- National Museum of Korea, visitor information and 2026 closure days, museum.go.kr, read 15 October 2026.
- Yongsan Park returned-site official site (용산공원 반환부지 임시개방): hours, gates, parking, yongsanparkstory.kr, read 15 October 2026.
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announcement on open entry from 30 December 2025 and the renaming plan, as reported by Insight, 31 December 2025; contamination monitoring, Kyunghyang Shinmun, March 2026.
- Share of the base returned and park size, Korea Economic Daily Money, September 2026.
- Presidential office return to Cheong Wa Dae, The Korea Times, December 2025.
- National Museum 2025 visitor total, Herald Business, 1 January 2026.
- Yongsan-gu population: Ministry of the Interior and Safety resident registration statistics, June 2026 (199,648), jumin.mois.go.kr.
- Housing-study row: Money Today, 6 August 2026; MTN, 19 August 2026.
- Yongsan Electronics Market redevelopment, Bizhankook; Zone 5 construction start, SBS Biz, 11 October 2026.
- Itaewon memorial path, Kyeonggi Ilbo, October 2023.
Last updated: 15 October 2026. Hours and opening rules in Yongsan Park change with each returned plot; check the official sites above before you go.
Yongsan is one of the neighbourhoods compared in EpicKor's Seoul neighbourhood guide — character, nearest station, whether it is worth staying in, and how long each actually takes.
Next in the series: Haebangchon and Mullae.
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