Gyeongbokgung Palace & Getting There | KoreaToDo

Gyeongbokgung Palace 경복궁

서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로) | 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Nov-Feb: 9:00-17:00

Mar-May, Sep-Oct: 9:00-18:00

Jun-Aug: 9.00-18:30

Last admission: 1 hr before closing.

Closed on Tuesdays.

Free Guided Tours: Start in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace Information Center at Heungnyemun Gate (1-1.30 hr). No reservation required.

English: 11:00, 13:30, 15:30 (Wed - Mon)
Chinese: 10:30, 15:00 (Wed - Mon)
Other Languages (i.e. Japanese, Spanish)

Ceremony Times:

Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony (Gwanghwamun Gate - main gate): 10:00, 14:00 (20 mins)
Gwanghwamun Gate Guard on Duty Ceremony: 11:00, 13:00 (10 mins)
Gatekeeper Military Training (Hyeopsaengmun Gate): 9:35, 13:35 (15 mins)

Adult (age 19-64): 3,000 won, Child (age 7-18): 1,500 won.
Free for Adult above 64 and Child under 7.
Combination Ticket (Adult: 10,000 won, Child 5,000 won) to 4 palaces (Changdeokgung incl. Secret Garden, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung) and Jongmyo Shrine available. 3 months validity.

Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 5). 3 mins walk.
Gwanghwamun Station (line 5, exit 2). 7 mins walk.
Seoul City Hall (1.2km, 17 mins walk or 6 mins by taxi)

royal.cha.go.kr

Gyeongbokgung Palace, the 'Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven' was the first palace built by the Joseon founder in 1395. This is the largest of all five grand palaces built in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), remaining in Seoul.

1/1

4 Main Gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit tourist attraction for many travellers to Seoul.

Visitors can enter Gyeongbokgung Palace through all four sides of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gwanghwamun Gate (main gate) on the south, Yongchumun Gate on the west, Sinmumun Gate on the north and National Folk Museum of Korea entrance on the east.

Gyeongbokgung Palace - Gwanghwamun Gate (Main/South Entrance)

Gyeongbokgung Palace - Sinmumun Gate (Back/North Entrance)

1/1

History of Gyeongbokgung Palace

The site of Gyeongbokgung Palace was at the heart of Seoul and deemed auspicious according to the traditional practice of geomancy. Gyeongbokgung Palace provides a glimpse into Joseon's royal culture, palace life and architecture.

1/1

The palace was destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598), and the site remained vacant for the next 273 years. It was later restored during the reign of King Gojong.

1/1

Besides the brightly-coloured ceiling, you can find interesting animal and human figures perched on the hips of palace roof to ward off evil spirits and ensure peace within.

1/1

Highlights of Gyeongbokgung Palace

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony

One of the main highlights of Gyeongbokgung Palace is the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony that is held as a traditional cultural event since 2002 to re-enact the royal guard changing procedure during the Joseon Dynasty.

The ceremony is held 2 times daily (excluding Tuesdays when the palace is closed).

1/1

Free Entry for Visitors Wearing Hanbok (Korean Traditional Costume)

It is extremely popular for visitors to wear Hanbok (i.e. Korean traditional costume) on their visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace. Besides getting free entry to Gyeongbokgung Palace (applies to all other Seoul's royal palaces as well), you can take memorable photos with the majestic and yet beautiful palace.

💡There are many affordable and easily accessible hanbok rental shops near the palace.

1/1

Seasonal Beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace is glorious in all four distinct seasons in Korea.

✿ Cherry Blossoms & Spring Flowers at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Spring

Gyeongbokgung Palace - Cherry Blossoms in Spring

1/1

Gyeongbokgung Palace - Blossoms in Spring

Gyeongbokgung Palace - Forsythias in Spring

Gyeongbokgung Palace - Red Plum Blossoms in Spring

1/1

☼ Summer at Gyeongbokgung Palace ☼

1/1

♧ Autumn Foliage at Palace's ground & the along the road outside Sinmumun Gate

1/1

❆ Winter Snow at Gyeongbokgung Palace

1/1

☾ Night Tour at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Autumn Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Opening
Sep - Oct (19:00 - 21:30, last admission 20:30)

Admission: ₩3,000

1/1

Attractions Nearby

Gyeongbokgung Palace is centrally located within easy walking distance to many popular attractions in Seoul. There are also many chic and popular cafes, restaurants and shops nearby.

From Gwanghwamun Gate (main/south gate)

National Folk Museum of Korea

within Gyeongbokgung Palace

National Palace Museum of Korea

within Gyeongbokgung Palace

Seochon Hanok Village

10 mins walk

Famous Tosokchon Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup)

11 mins walk

Insadong Shopping Street

12 mins walk / 1 subway stop

Bukchon Hanok Village

20 mins walk / 1 subway stop

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden (UNESCO)

21 mins walk / 1 subway stop

Gwanghwamun Square

2 mins walk

Cheonggyecheon Stream

16 mins walk

From Sinmumun Gate (back/north gate)

Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House)

1 min walk

Samcheongdong Cafe Street

11 mins walk

Famous Samcheongdong Sujebi (Noodles Restaurant)

Recommended Accommodations near Gyeongbokgung Palace

For travellers looking for unique stay experience in Hanok (i.e. Korean Traditional House), there many great hanok options near Gyeongbokgung Palace, particularly at Seochon Hanok Village and Bukchon Hanok Village. Alternatively, there is also a popular serviced apartments, Somerset Palace Seoul that is conveniently located between Gyeongbokgung Palace & Insdaong.

1

Youngchoo Hanok Stay

9.8 Review Rating

Youngchoo Hanok Stay is located within Seochon Hanok Village, a short 3 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace via Yeongchumun Gate (West side gate) and 7 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 4). It offers 2 bedrooms, air-conditioned accommodation with living room, 1 bathroom with shower and slippers, fully equipped kitchen with microwave and toaster.

Rates & Availability

1/1

2

Private House JNP Stay

10.0 Review Rating

Private House JNP Stay is a traditional hanok located in Seochon Hanok Village. It offers 2 bedrooms, air conditioned accommodation with a garden, living room with flat-screen TV, 1 bathroom with slippers, fully equipped kitchen with microwave and fridge. 2 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 1/2) and 10 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace's main gate.💡minimum stay (2 nights) may apply based on check-in date.

Rates & Availability

1/1

3

Luxury Hanok with Private Bathtub - DohyeonDang

9.5 Review Rating

Located within Seochon Hanok Village, Luxury Hanok with Private Bathtub - DohyeonDang is a non-smoking accommodation with full-day security and private check-in/out. It offers free WiFi throughout the property. The air-conditioned hanok consists of 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with a hot tub and slippers, living room, fully equipped kitchen with microwave and coffee machine. 3 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 1/2) and 10 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace's main gate.💡minimum stay (2-3 nights) may apply based on check-in date.

Rates & Availability

1/1

4

Seochon Guesthouse

★★ | 9.5 Review Rating

Seochon Guesthouse offers affordable hanok-style accommodation with different room types. Located within Seochon Hanok Village, the guesthouse is 5 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Station (line 3, exit 1) and 8 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace via Yeongchumun Gate (West side gate).💡minimum stay (2 nights) may apply based on check-in date.

Rates & Availability

1/1

5

Somerset Palace Seoul

★★★★ | 8.6 Review Rating

Somerset Palace Seoul is a popular serviced apartments with kitchen facilities, restaurants, cafe, rooftop swimming pool, rooftop hot tub & garden, fully equipped fitness centre, billiards room, 24-hour convenience store, lounge and free parking. The property is located within 9 mins walk to Gyeongbokgung Palace, 4 mins walk to Insadong, 6 mins walk to Anguk Station (line 3, exit 6).

Rates & Availability

1/1

Map of Getting to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Nearby Attractions & Nearest Subway Stations

Map of Getting to Gyeongbokgung Palace & Nearby Attractions | Seoul, South Korea

Map of Gyeongbokgung Palace

KoreaToDo TOP PICKS - Tours, Activities & Discount Tickets

➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport.