The rooftop garden of the old Seoul City Hall building offers views of city landmarks including Deoksu Palace. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul City Hall tour program, which previously required pre-reservation, has been expanded to allow on-site participation starting Tuesday, the city government said, Monday. The program now also offers explanations in multiple languages, including English, Chinese and Japanese.

The city government recently renovated the office building lobby for the first time in 12 years, aiming to create a more welcoming environment for visitors. The space has been transformed into a cultural hub where people can relax and explore, moving away from its previous function as a strictly administrative office building.

Citizens and tourists visiting Seoul City Hall can now join tours on-site without prior reservation, with four daily sessions available from Tuesday to Friday, each lasting 40 minutes.

While on-site participation is newly available, online pre-reservations are also offered for individuals and small groups. This service was previously limited to groups of 10 or more.

Before the tours were temporarily suspended in January 2020 due to COVID-19, on-site participation was offered. However, after the tours resumed in July 2022, they have only been available through pre-booking.

Reservations for individuals can be secured up to three days in advance, and up to five days ahead for group tours. If fewer than three reservations are made for a given time slot, the tour may be automatically canceled. Online pre-booking for tours can be made via the official Visit Seoul website.

Weekend tours are also available through online pre-reservation, with two to three tours operated daily from Tuesday to Sunday, excluding Mondays. Additionally, each tour, arranged by online reservation, lasts 70 minutes.

The new City Hall lobby features an indoor garden, which aims to provide a healing space. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

In response to the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Seoul City Hall, the city government has improved visitor services by providing commentary in English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Visitors can request multilingual commentary through online reservations. Additionally, one of the four daily tours with on-site participation will feature English commentary — available at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

This expansion follows a recent renovation of the City Hall building, aimed at creating a more welcoming environment with enhanced rest areas and attractions. The renovation has significantly increased interest among both locals and tourists.

The average monthly number of participants has more than tripled since the renovation, with approximately 221 people joining the tours between January and April this year, compared to about 811 participants between May and July.

The old mayor's office, restored in the city's public building / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The tour offers a comprehensive look at the entire building, including the newly remodeled first-floor lobby, designed as a healing space within the city.

Highlights of the program include the eco-friendly design of the building, which uses renewable energy for 60 percent of its heating and cooling needs, and the Seoul Metropolitan Library, which was the former City Hall building. The library particularly showcases the history of modern and contemporary Seoul.

The lobby of the new building features unique experiences for visitors, such as an indoor garden, a large media wall, a renovated open civil service area and an eco-friendly robot café.

Popular attractions on the tour include the old mayor's office, restored with original building materials, the exhibition room of the former City Hall and the rooftop garden, offering views of landmarks like Deoksu Palace and N Seoul Tower.

During the operation of the Seoul Outdoor Library, held from April to November, Thursday through Sunday, the tour includes a special experience course of this event, in addition to the regular tour course. Participants can experience the outdoor library for one session each day, according to the city government.

The Seoul Outdoor Library encompasses several scenic locations, including Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and Cheonggye Stream, offering visitors a chance to engage with nature and appreciate its environmental value.

Furthermore, the city government ensures that the tours are accessible to all, including people with disabilities.

To accommodate the needs of vulnerable participants, pre-consultations are conducted by phone calls to assess individual requirements. Customized tours are then provided by specialized guides who are trained and experienced in catering to these needs.

Lee Dong-ryul, head of the Administration Bureau of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, emphasized the tour's potential to highlight the building's historical and architectural significance.

"Public buildings are more than just administrative hubs. They are also compelling tourist attractions," he said.

"I hope Seoul City Hall will become a landmark where the city's history and future come together."