The 2022 Seoul Lantern Festival: First time at Gwanghwamun

The 2022 Seoul Lantern Festival is being held at Gwanghwamun after 14 years at Cheonggyecheon every year. Let’s see how it looks!

If you are familiar with Seoul Lantern Festival, I know that you’ll know that it’s been set up at Cheonggyecheon every year. But this year, the government move the festival to the Gwanghwamun featuring various lanterns like the Christmas market and Media Facade. The festival started last December 19 up to 31, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

They changed the venue and dates because of the tragic accident that happened in Itaewon last October. The government wanted to avoid the same accident and also to give the people new hopes and beginnings after what happened.

What to see at the festival?

Unlike recent years, this time there are only a few lanterns to see. But they added a Christmas market which is also one way to help the small business who’s trying to catch up after the pandemic.

The Sea of Courage [용기의 바다]

The Sea of Courage is in front of Admiral Yi Sun-shin. They created a turtle ship known as Geobukson made in Korean paper – hanji. They also added some LED light to make it perfect so that it looks like in a deep sea.

동행의 빛

In this area, you can see some beautiful lanterns from last year’s festival like The Moon Halo, Starry cat, and A Lovely Forest are included.

Christmas Market

Gwanghwamun Square Market aims to create a warm Christmas atmosphere which is why they put up a large Christmas tree, a photo zone, and a market booth. Sales booths for Christmas props, handicrafts, food, and various Seoul tourism contents experience and exhibitions.

The Garden of Light [빛의 정원]

Located at the Sejongno Garden near Gwanghwamun Station exit 8. This area wasn’t featured in the video uploaded to my channel. I’ve mistaken the 동행의 빛 (where you can see the Christmas tree made of hanji as the Garden of Light. But it was on the other side. The trees are covered with lights which made the garden shines so bright, especially at night.

My Soul Seoul

To regain and make tourism alive again, the government created a new slogan ‘My Soul Seoul’. You can see this slogan in Seoul Tourism Promotional videos with the BTS members.

This space features passengers arriving in Seoul in collaboration with T’way airlines.

How to get there?

Take the subway going to Gwanghwamun Station (line 5) exit 2.

Watch the video here:

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Merry Christmas everyone! May the light of this festival give you new hope and peace.

Xoxo, Hyejin 

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