Overview & History
Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) is the largest and most iconic of Seoul's five grand palaces. Built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, it was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of 1592, rebuilt in the 19th century, and partially demolished again during the Japanese occupation. Restoration has been ongoing since 1990 and continues today.
The palace complex covers 40 hectares and includes throne halls, royal quarters, a ten-story pagoda, a stunning lotus pond pavilion (Gyeonghoeru), and the National Folk Museum. Plan at least 2 hours to see the highlights, or 3-4 hours if you explore the museum and grounds thoroughly.
Gyeongbokgung is closed every Tuesday. Plan accordingly — this catches many visitors off guard.
Hours, Tickets & Free Entry
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Address | 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul |
| Subway | Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5 |
| Hours (Mar-Oct) | 09:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
| Hours (Nov-Feb) | 09:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) |
| Closed | Every Tuesday |
| Adult ticket | ₩3,000 |
| Youth (7-18) | ₩1,500 |
| Children under 7 | Free |
| Hanbok wearers | Free (any age) |
Wear hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and you enter completely free regardless of nationality. Rental shops line the streets around Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station. Expect to pay ₩15,000-25,000 for a 2-hour hanbok rental including accessories. Many visitors find the rental pays for itself through the free entry plus the incredible photo opportunities.
Tickets are purchased at the gate. No advance booking is needed for the palace itself. The integrated ticket (₩10,000) covers Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung — excellent value if you plan to visit multiple palaces.
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is one of Seoul's most popular free spectacles. Guards in colorful Joseon-era uniforms perform a formal ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate, the palace's main entrance.
- Schedule: 10:00 and 14:00 daily (except Tuesdays and during severe weather).
- Duration: approximately 20 minutes.
- Arrive 15-20 minutes early to secure a front-row spot.
- After the ceremony, visitors can pose for photos with the guards.
- A shorter gate-guarding demonstration runs 11:00 and 13:00.
The 10:00 ceremony is less crowded than the 14:00 one. Combine it with an early palace visit for the best experience.
Key Buildings & Photo Spots
Gwanghwamun Gate
The imposing main gate faces Gwanghwamun Square. Destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, the current gate was restored to its original position in 2010. It makes a powerful first impression and a great opening photo.
Geunjeongjeon (Throne Hall)
The main throne hall is the largest wooden structure in the complex. The two-tier stone platform and ornate ceiling are highlights. You cannot enter the hall but can photograph the throne through the open doors.
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
This banquet hall sits on 48 stone pillars over an artificial lotus pond. It is arguably the single most photographed spot in the palace. The reflection in the water is best on calm mornings. In summer, lotus flowers frame the scene beautifully.
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
A smaller hexagonal pavilion on a pond at the rear of the complex. Less crowded than Gyeonghoeru and equally photogenic. The wooden bridge leading to it was restored in 2021.
- Best morning photo spot: Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with calm water reflections (09:00-10:00).
- Best afternoon spot: Geunjeongjeon courtyard with warm light on the stone markers.
- Best hanbok photos: the corridors connecting Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon.
- Secret spot: the stone wall path behind Amisan Garden with decorative chimneys.
National Folk Museum of Korea
Located inside the Gyeongbokgung grounds, the National Folk Museum is free with your palace ticket (or free with hanbok). It covers daily life in Korea from prehistoric times through the Joseon era with three permanent exhibition halls.
- Hall 1: History of the Korean People — tools, clothing, ceramics.
- Hall 2: Daily Life of Joseon — farming, markets, housing.
- Hall 3: Life Cycle of Koreans — birth rituals, weddings, funerals.
- Open-air exhibition: traditional houses, stone statues and totem poles in the garden.
The museum is an excellent rainy-day option. Allow 1-1.5 hours for a thorough visit.
Seasonal Tips
| Season | Dates | Highlight | Tip |
|---|
| Spring | Mar-May | Cherry blossoms around palace walls | Mid-April for peak bloom near Hyangwonjeong |
| Summer | Jun-Aug | Lotus flowers at Gyeonghoeru | Go early — heat and humidity peak by noon |
| Autumn | Sep-Nov | Red and gold foliage | Late October to mid-November for peak color |
| Winter | Dec-Feb | Snow on palace rooftops | Fewer crowds; hanbok rental shops provide winter cloaks |
Night openings occasionally run in spring and autumn, allowing visits until 21:30. Tickets sell out fast — check the Cultural Heritage Administration website a month ahead.
- Budget: ₩3,000 entry (or free with hanbok). Hanbok rental ₩15,000-25,000 for 2 hours.
- Time needed: 2 hours minimum, 3-4 hours with museum and thorough exploration.
- Audio guide rental: ₩3,000 in English, Japanese, Chinese or Korean.
- Free guided tours in English: 11:00 and 13:30 daily (meet at Heungnyemun Gate).
- Lockers available near the main entrance for large bags.
- Wheelchair accessible: main paths are paved, but some rear areas have gravel.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|
| Palace entry | ₩3,000 (free with hanbok) |
| Integrated 4-palace ticket | ₩10,000 |
| Hanbok rental (2 hours) | ₩15,000-25,000 |
| Audio guide | ₩3,000 |
| National Folk Museum | Free with palace ticket |
| Guided tour (English) | Free |
Emergencies: 112 police, 119 fire/medical, 1330 tourist helpline (24/7, English available). The palace has a first-aid station near the main ticket booth.
Overview & History
Gyeongbokgung (경복궁) is the largest and most iconic of Seoul's five grand palaces. Built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, it was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of 1592, rebuilt in the 19th century, and partially demolished again during the Japanese occupation. Restoration has been ongoing since 1990 and continues today.
The palace complex covers 40 hectares and includes throne halls, royal quarters, a ten-story pagoda, a stunning lotus pond pavilion (Gyeonghoeru), and the National Folk Museum. Plan at least 2 hours to see the highlights, or 3-4 hours if you explore the museum and grounds thoroughly.
Gyeongbokgung is closed every Tuesday. Plan accordingly — this catches many visitors off guard.
Hours, Tickets & Free Entry
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Address | 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul |
| Subway | Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), Exit 5 |
| Hours (Mar-Oct) | 09:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
| Hours (Nov-Feb) | 09:00-17:00 (last entry 16:00) |
| Closed | Every Tuesday |
| Adult ticket | ₩3,000 |
| Youth (7-18) | ₩1,500 |
| Children under 7 | Free |
| Hanbok wearers | Free (any age) |
Wear hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and you enter completely free regardless of nationality. Rental shops line the streets around Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station. Expect to pay ₩15,000-25,000 for a 2-hour hanbok rental including accessories. Many visitors find the rental pays for itself through the free entry plus the incredible photo opportunities.
Tickets are purchased at the gate. No advance booking is needed for the palace itself. The integrated ticket (₩10,000) covers Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung — excellent value if you plan to visit multiple palaces.
Changing of the Guard Ceremony
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is one of Seoul's most popular free spectacles. Guards in colorful Joseon-era uniforms perform a formal ceremony at Gwanghwamun Gate, the palace's main entrance.
- Schedule: 10:00 and 14:00 daily (except Tuesdays and during severe weather).
- Duration: approximately 20 minutes.
- Arrive 15-20 minutes early to secure a front-row spot.
- After the ceremony, visitors can pose for photos with the guards.
- A shorter gate-guarding demonstration runs 11:00 and 13:00.
The 10:00 ceremony is less crowded than the 14:00 one. Combine it with an early palace visit for the best experience.
Key Buildings & Photo Spots
Gwanghwamun Gate
The imposing main gate faces Gwanghwamun Square. Destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, the current gate was restored to its original position in 2010. It makes a powerful first impression and a great opening photo.
Geunjeongjeon (Throne Hall)
The main throne hall is the largest wooden structure in the complex. The two-tier stone platform and ornate ceiling are highlights. You cannot enter the hall but can photograph the throne through the open doors.
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
This banquet hall sits on 48 stone pillars over an artificial lotus pond. It is arguably the single most photographed spot in the palace. The reflection in the water is best on calm mornings. In summer, lotus flowers frame the scene beautifully.
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
A smaller hexagonal pavilion on a pond at the rear of the complex. Less crowded than Gyeonghoeru and equally photogenic. The wooden bridge leading to it was restored in 2021.
- Best morning photo spot: Gyeonghoeru Pavilion with calm water reflections (09:00-10:00).
- Best afternoon spot: Geunjeongjeon courtyard with warm light on the stone markers.
- Best hanbok photos: the corridors connecting Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon.
- Secret spot: the stone wall path behind Amisan Garden with decorative chimneys.
National Folk Museum of Korea
Located inside the Gyeongbokgung grounds, the National Folk Museum is free with your palace ticket (or free with hanbok). It covers daily life in Korea from prehistoric times through the Joseon era with three permanent exhibition halls.
- Hall 1: History of the Korean People — tools, clothing, ceramics.
- Hall 2: Daily Life of Joseon — farming, markets, housing.
- Hall 3: Life Cycle of Koreans — birth rituals, weddings, funerals.
- Open-air exhibition: traditional houses, stone statues and totem poles in the garden.
The museum is an excellent rainy-day option. Allow 1-1.5 hours for a thorough visit.
Seasonal Tips
| Season | Dates | Highlight | Tip |
|---|
| Spring | Mar-May | Cherry blossoms around palace walls | Mid-April for peak bloom near Hyangwonjeong |
| Summer | Jun-Aug | Lotus flowers at Gyeonghoeru | Go early — heat and humidity peak by noon |
| Autumn | Sep-Nov | Red and gold foliage | Late October to mid-November for peak color |
| Winter | Dec-Feb | Snow on palace rooftops | Fewer crowds; hanbok rental shops provide winter cloaks |
Night openings occasionally run in spring and autumn, allowing visits until 21:30. Tickets sell out fast — check the Cultural Heritage Administration website a month ahead.
- Budget: ₩3,000 entry (or free with hanbok). Hanbok rental ₩15,000-25,000 for 2 hours.
- Time needed: 2 hours minimum, 3-4 hours with museum and thorough exploration.
- Audio guide rental: ₩3,000 in English, Japanese, Chinese or Korean.
- Free guided tours in English: 11:00 and 13:30 daily (meet at Heungnyemun Gate).
- Lockers available near the main entrance for large bags.
- Wheelchair accessible: main paths are paved, but some rear areas have gravel.
| Expense | Cost |
|---|
| Palace entry | ₩3,000 (free with hanbok) |
| Integrated 4-palace ticket | ₩10,000 |
| Hanbok rental (2 hours) | ₩15,000-25,000 |
| Audio guide | ₩3,000 |
| National Folk Museum | Free with palace ticket |
| Guided tour (English) | Free |
Emergencies: 112 police, 119 fire/medical, 1330 tourist helpline (24/7, English available). The palace has a first-aid station near the main ticket booth.