What is Gyeongbokgung?
Gyeongbokgung is a palace located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea, which was first constructed in 1395 during the late Joseon Dynasty. After several expansions and renovations, it took on its current form. Gyeongbokgung is one of South Korea's representative cultural heritages, designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1997, and is one of the country's most famous tourist attractions visited by many tourists. Gyeongbokgung was the residence of the kings during the Joseon Dynasty and is still used today for various events and administrative purposes by the government.
The entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The History of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main residence of the kings during the Joseon Dynasty and was used for over 500 years. However, most of the buildings were destroyed during the Japanese invasion in 1592. In the early 19th century, Gyeongbokgung was sold to local residents as real estate.
In 1867, Emperor Gojong decided to restore Gyeongbokgung Palace. A national restoration project was initiated, and even during the Japanese occupation in 1910, restoration work continued under Japanese architects.
In 1945, the Korean Provisional Government moved into Gyeongbokgung Palace, and after the establishment of the Republic of Korea, it was designated as a national monument. Since then, it has undergone several renovations and restorations and is currently used as a government administrative office and a national tourist
Major buildings of Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung Palace is composed of representative buildings that showcase the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty. The following major buildings are particularly famous:
Gwanghwamun: Gwanghwamun is the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, where the most important ceremony for the king, the coronation ceremony, was held.
Gyeonghoeru: Gyeonghoeru is a representative building of the traditional Hanok style and was used as the king's residence and office.
Geunjeongjeon: Geunjeongjeon is the oldest building in Gyeongbokgung Palace and is named after the historical book "Gakyeok" written by the scholar Gongja (Gongyangam) during the Goryeo Dynasty.
Honghwamun: Honghwamun is one of the most beautiful gates in Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcasing the unique skills of the Joseon ancestors. The right gate is where the king's throne was located.
Yeongchunghuigwan: Yeongchunghuigwan is a building constructed during the late 1800s when King Cheoljong and King Sunjong were competing for power in the royal court. It was a place where court banquets and ceremonies were held.
In addition to these buildings, Gyeongbokgung Palace has numerous other buildings, each with its own historical and cultural value and story.
Activities to enjoy at Gyeongbokgung Palace
At Gyeongbokgung, you can enjoy a variety of activities, such as:
- Touring: As one of South Korea's representative tourist attractions, Gyeongbokgung offers a range of buildings to visit, including palaces, gardens, and pavilions. Paid guided tours are also available every hour in various languages, such as English, Japanese, Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Thai, and Indonesian.
- Traditional Costume Experience: Gyeongbokgung also offers a program where you can dress up in traditional hanbok clothing and enjoy an experience in the royal court. You can also take photos in your costume.
- Cultural Experience: Gyeongbokgung provides various cultural experience programs, such as traditional crafts, games, and martial arts. You can try making traditional crafts, or learn traditional games and martial arts.
- Night Tour: Gyeongbokgung offers plenty to see even at night. You can enjoy a special night tour with the entire palace lit up, and various seasonal events are also held.
- Participating in Cultural Events: Gyeongbokgung also hosts various cultural events and performances. You can enjoy regular performances of traditional music, fairy tales, and contemporary dance.
Kyodae Sa-bum Do-seo-gwan
The Kyodae Saebom Library is an education-focused library located in Seocho-dong, Seoul, South Korea. It holds professional books related to education for educators, students, parents, researchers, and all those who work in the education field, and provides services to the public to access and use them.
The library was opened in 1946 and has since then held essential books, academic journals, and reports for education and research. It plays a significant role in understanding and resolving international educational issues as it holds a large collection of education-related books from both domestic and foreign sources.
The library's features include:
Diverse materials: The library holds a wide range of materials related to education, including books, academic journals, research reports, and educational materials that can be used in the classroom.
Expertise: As a specialized library in the field of education, Kyodae Saebom Library provides specialized knowledge and information related to education.
Services: The library provides various services such as borrowing, extension, reservation, reading, and searching. Additionally, it provides internet search services and a mobile application, allowing users to access educational materials anytime, anywhere.
Center of educational culture: The library serves as the center of educational culture by hosting various educational events, seminars, and exhibitions. It also serves as a gathering place and network hub for the education community.
National Folk Museum of Korea
The National Folk Museum of Korea is located on Samcheong-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is a museum that exhibits and researches traditional Korean culture and folk life. Founded in 1945, it currently serves a national role and is one of the most visited places by domestic and international tourists.
The National Folk Museum of Korea consists of traditional hanok buildings and gardens, and operates exhibition halls, collection exhibition halls, museum stores, restaurants, and more. Here, you can see and learn about the folk culture and way of life in Korea, which greatly helps in understanding the history and culture of Korea.
You can enjoy the following activities at the National Folk Museum of Korea:
- Appreciation of traditional Korean folk arts: You can view traditional Korean folk arts such as traditional costumes, musical instruments, dance, folk games, and more.
- Experience of traditional Korean folk culture: Programs are also available to experience traditional Korean folk culture, such as traditional etiquette experience, trying on traditional costumes, and playing traditional instruments.
- Exhibition halls: The National Folk Museum of Korea has exhibition halls where exhibitions are held on various topics, such as traditional furniture, traditional crafts, and traditional art works.
- Events: Various events are also held at the National Folk Museum of Korea, such as traditional games experience events, traditional folk art performances, and traditional food festivals.
Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung Palace is a royal palace located in Wonseo-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is designated as National Treasure No. 122 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Changdeokgung Palace was built during the reign of King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty and is considered a representative building of the royal court culture and architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty.
Changdeokgung Palace is a great place to appreciate traditional Korean architecture, as it preserves the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty. Its beautiful harmony with nature and traditional Korean gardens are also well-known. Additionally, various museums and exhibition halls are located inside the palace, offering opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of Korean history and culture.
There are several activities to enjoy at Changdeokgung Palace, including:
- Appreciating traditional architecture: Changdeokgung Palace is made up of buildings that represent the architectural style of the Joseon Dynasty. Representative buildings include Donggung, Huwon, and Injeongmun, and visitors can appreciate traditional Korean architecture here.
- Hanbok experience: Changdeokgung Palace offers a hanbok experience program where visitors can dress up in traditional Korean clothing and take pictures. Traditional Korean food experience programs are also available.
- Museums and exhibition halls: Various museums and exhibition halls are located inside Changdeokgung Palace, including the Royal Palace Museum, Art Museum, and Palace Cultural Center. These places offer opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of Korean history and culture.
- Walking: There are various walking trails inside Changdeokgung Palace, offering different seasonal views such as autumn leaves and spring flowers. Additionally, Bukchon Hanok Village is located nearby, allowing visitors to also enjoy the beauty of traditional Korean homes.
Tourist Information and Tips
Before visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, it would be helpful to know some tourist information and tips in advance.
Admission fee: The admission fee for Gyeongbokgung Palace is 3,000 won for adults. However, unlike other palaces, it is free to visit on Wednesdays, so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
Operating hours: Gyeongbokgung Palace is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, weekends, and holidays. However, the last admission is at 4pm, so it is recommended to enter early.
Tour routes: Gyeongbokgung Palace is quite large, so it takes a lot of time to visit all the buildings. Therefore, it is recommended to plan a tour route in advance. The representative route is to visit the rear garden, the palace grounds, and then the palace.
Guided tours: With a guided tour, you can learn more about the history and culture of the palace. Free guided tours are held every day at 10am and 2pm.
Dress code: As Gyeongbokgung Palace is a cultural heritage site, appropriate dress is required. Wear light clothes in summer and warm clothes in winter. Also, avoid wearing revealing clothing like dresses or shorts.
Facilities: There are various facilities inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, including restaurants, cafes, and beverage stands. So, make sure to actively use them when visiting.
Advance reservation: Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, a pre-reservation system is in place to control congestion at the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase admission tickets in advance through online reservation.
Camera and charger: Gyeongbokgung Palace is a beautiful place to take photos, so cameras and chargers are essential. Especially in spring and autumn, when the fall foliage and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it is an ideal time to take photos. However, photography may be restricted in some areas of the palace, so check the signs carefully. Also, flash photography is prohibited in some areas, so be careful.
The operating hours and admission fees for Gyeongbokgung Palace are as follows
The palace is open year-round, but operating hours vary depending on the season. Generally, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and operating hours may be extended for certain events or special exhibitions. However, please note that it is closed on Mondays.
The admission fee for adults is 3,000 won. Discounted fees are available for children, teenagers, soldiers, seniors, and people with disabilities. Additionally, there are some dates or special events when admission is free, so it is recommended to check in advance.
Translation
Guide to Transportation Options
Located in the heart of Jongno-gu, Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace is easily accessible by public transportation.
If you are taking the subway, you can get off at either Exit 15 of Jongno 3-ga Station on Line 5 or Exit 3 of Anguk Station on Line 3. You can also take a bus from Jongno 5-ga Station to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
If you prefer taking a bus, get off at the Gyeongbokgung Palace bus stop. There are various bus routes available, and the operating hours and fares may vary by route. It is recommended to check the information beforehand.
For those who prefer driving, there are parking lots near Gyeongbokgung Palace. However, it can be very crowded on weekends or holidays, so taking public transportation is more convenient.
Recommendation Course
As the Gyeongbokgung Palace is a large palace, visiting all the places inside and sightseeing can take a lot of time. Therefore, we would like to introduce some recommended courses that you can visit and enjoy in a short amount of time.
Take the Gyeongbokgung Palace Circulation Bus: If you want to explore various tourist attractions inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace but are short on time, taking the Gyeongbokgung Palace Circulation Bus is a great option. The bus goes around the major tourist attractions inside the palace, minimizing travel time and inconvenience.
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace together: As Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace are located next to each other, it is suitable to visit both palaces together. Both palaces have different feelings and atmospheres, and they complement each other's beauty.
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace at night: As Gyeongbokgung Palace also displays its beautiful scenery at night, we recommend visiting the palace at night. Nighttime viewing is only available on Fridays and Saturdays each week, and the time and fees are different from regular admission, so it's best to check in advance.
Enjoy walking around the Gyeongbokgung Palace nearby hiking trails: There are various hiking trails around the Gyeongbokgung Palace, such as Hanok Village, Cheongwadae, and Samcheong-dong. It's great to enjoy both the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the surrounding area while taking a walk.
In addition, we recommend visiting museums and art galleries near the Gyeongbokgung Palace as well.
Here are some recommended tourist attractions near Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in the heart of Seoul:
Changdeokgung Palace: Along with Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace is one of Seoul's representative palaces. It has a slightly different feel with its spacious gardens and beautiful traditional architecture.
Jongmyo Shrine: Located north of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine is a place where the ancestors of the Joseon Dynasty are enshrined, offering an opportunity to experience Korean history and traditional culture.
Samcheong-dong: Adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Samcheong-dong is a traditional hanok (Korean traditional house) neighborhood known for its narrow alleyways and well-preserved hanok houses, providing an opportunity to enjoy Korean traditional culture and way of life.
National Folk Museum of Korea: Located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea collects and exhibits folk materials representing Korean traditional culture, offering a chance to experience Korean history and traditional culture.
Seochon Hanok Village: Adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seochon Hanok Village is a place where you can experience traditional hanok and Korean traditional culture. There are various traditional cultural experiences and restaurants to enjoy Korean traditional culture.
In addition, there are various tourist attractions such as Cheongwadae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Square, and Seoul Museum of History near Gyeongbokgung Palace, so it is also recommended to visit those places.
Conclusion
As one of Korea's representative palaces, Gyeongbokgung is a national treasure that offers visitors a chance to experience the country's rich history and traditional culture. In this guide, we've introduced Gyeongbokgung's history, key buildings, activities, travel information and tips, and recommended nearby attractions.
We highly recommend foreign visitors to Korea to visit Gyeongbokgung at least once and experience Korea's history and traditional culture. Additionally, there are many other interesting attractions to explore in the surrounding area.