Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) was the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty and one of the must-visit places in Seoul. It was built in 1395 by King Taejo, the founder of Joseon Dynasty but burned down by Japanese invaders during Imjinoaeran, 1592. It was rebuilt by King Gojong and Heungseon Daewongun in 1865.
Location
Seoul, South Korea
Hours
| January through February | 09:00~17:00 (Final admission at 16:00) |
| March through May | 09:00~18:00 (Final admission at 17:00) |
| June through August | 09:00~18:30 (Final admission at 17:30) |
| September through October | 09:00~18:00 (Final admission at 17:00) |
| November through December | 09:00~17:00 (Final admission at 16:00) |
| Closed on Tuesdays |
Admission
Age 19~64 3,000 won / 2.400 won ( group, 10 or more )
Age 7~18 1,500 won / 1,200 won ( group, 10 or more )
(Click here to check the exchange rate)
* Free: Children (Ages 6 and under), Senior over 65
* With the purchase of a book of Combination Tickets (adults 10,000 won, Youth 5,000 won), one admission for each of the five different Palaces is available within three month. (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace – the Secret Garden included, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine).
Free Tour Guide
Guided tour in foreign languages is offered.
English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
Japanese : 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
Chinese : 10:30, 13:00, 15:00
From Gyeongbokgung Palace site:
- Tour starts in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace Information Center inside the Heungnyemun Gate.
- Tour lasts for an hour to an hour and half.
- Groups with 10 or more people must make a reservation in advance.
- Total number of group participants for a tour is limited to 30.
- Individuals less than 10 people can join the same tour without a reservation.
- Both the reserved groups and unreserved individuals are guided together by only one guide at a time.
Tips
Free admission: 1. Wearing Hanbok or 2. The last Wednesday of every month (Culture day)
How To Get To Gyeongbokgung Palace
Metro (subway)
Line 3: Gyeongbokgung Station / Exit 5
Line 3: Anguk Station / Exit 1
Line 5: Gwanghwamun Station / Exit 2
Bus
No. 1020, 7025, 109, 171, 172, 601 or 606 at Gyeongbokgung Palace Bus Stop.
(All information above is current as of 2018 Dec. 1.)
You want more about this beautiful palace? Let’s dive in!
Gwanghwamun (광화문) is the main gate of Gyeongbokgung. There are three gates under the tower; the center one is for kings and the other two gates on the side were for the rest.
Heungnyemun (흥례문) is the second gate into Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Geunjeongmun (근정문) is a gate to Geunjeongjeon and designated Treasure No. 812.
Free guided tour through Gyeongbokgung Palace is offered in three languages (English, Japanese and Chinese.)
Yeongjegyo bridge (영제교) is located over Geumcheon stream between Geunjeongmun and Heungnyemun. There are total 8 of Seosu (imaginary animal like a unicorn) statues over and around the bridge.
Located west side of Gyeongbokgung, Yuhwamun (유화문) was a gate built to help officials move conveniently in and out between the assembly halls and the administrative buildings.
Guenjeongjeon (근정전) is the symbolic building of Gyeongbokgung. At this throne hall, the kings held meetings with his officials and coronation ceremonies were held. When foreign ambassadors visited, they were greeted here, too. This building is National Treasure No. 223.
Sujeongjeon (수정전) was rebuilt in 1867 at the location where Jiphyeonjeon (집현전) was originally located. The place was originally designed as a king’s advisory committee, but later functioned more as a royal research center. The most notable historical value of Jiphyeonjeon is its role as a center for creation of Hangeul (Korean alphabets.) The original building was destroyed during Japanese invasion in 1592 and rebuilt in 1867. The name changed to Sujeongjeon with its reconstruction.
Gyeonghoeru (경회루) is a pavilion built in the pond and was used to host state banquets for foreign ambassadors or any important celebrations with kings and officials. It is Korea’s National Treasure No. 224. The size of pond is quite large: 113 meter (371 feet) by 128 meter (420 feet.) Total 48 massive stone pillars are supporting the wooden structure. The square pillars outside and the round ones inside represent the concept of Yin and Yang.
Admission will be free for visitors wearing hanbok. There are hanbok rental shops around the palalce.