Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

– Tel
+82-2-3700-3900

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the future King Taejo and founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location to the north, comparied to Changdeokgung Palace in the east and Gyeonghuigung Palace in the west. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. Many Joseon kings were crowned here. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong. The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, however, resulted in Gyeongbokgung Palace losing its function as a royal palace, eventually witnessing the downfall of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. The sculptures in the Geunjeongjeon Hall exemplify Joseon-era sculpture techniques. The west side of the area outside Heungnyemun Gate is occupied by the National Palace Museum of Korea, while the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion within the Gyeongbokgung Palace is occupied by the National Folk Museum of Korea.

– Address : 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
– Information and Guides
+82-2-3700-3900

– Parking
Available

– Day Off
Tuesdays (If Tuesday falls on a public holiday, it will be closed on the following business day instead)

– Operating Hours
November-February 09:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:00)
March-May & September-October 09:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:00)
June-August 09:00-18:30 (Last admission 17:30)

– Restrooms
Available

– Parking Fees
* Free for parking less than 10 min

– Small-sized cars: 3,000 won for 1 hour; 800 won for every additional 10 min

– Mid- and large-sized cars: 5,000 won for 1 hour; 800 won for every additional 10 min

– Admission Fees
Adult 3,000 won

(Free for those under 19 years old over 65 years old)

* Refer to the official website for discount details

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

– Homepage
www.chf.or.kr

– Tel
+82-2-3210-1645

In the Joseon dynasty, the royal guards of the palace were gatekeepers who were responsible for guarding the the main gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the main gates of the city such as Heunginjimun Gate and Sungnyemun Gate. The royal guards worked in shift duties and were in charge of opening and closing Gwanghwamun Gate. Before the royal guard system was enforced in 1469, the palace gates were protected by soldiers of the central army. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Gwanghwamun area reenacts the guard-changing procedure that took place during the Joseon dynasty, along with the reproduction of costumes and weapons, based on historical records.

⊙ Beodeul Maru – Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (한국문화재재단 버들마루)

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⊙ Osulloc – National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오설록 현대미술관)

– Homepage
www.osulloc.com

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⊙ National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul [MMCA Seoul] (국립현대미술관 서울관)

– Homepage
www.mmca.go.kr

– Tel
+82-2-3701-9500

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA Seoul) opened in 2013 as a city venue of the MMCA, which opened in 1986 in Gwacheon. The museum site was where many of Korea’s historical and political developments were achieved, both during the Joseon dynasty and after the Korean War. The Seoul venue of MMCA stands out from other museums through its use of Korea’s traditional architectural concept of “madang,” a spacious courtyard where people can come and gather to socialize. The exterior of the building stands in harmony with the surrounding landscape. Inside, the museum is equipped with many facilities, including a reference center, project gallery theater, and multipurpose hall. MMCA Seoul strives to accommodate every mode of new artistic endeavor and to communicate with the public.

⊙ Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

– Tel
+82-2-730-2430

The Africa Museum of Art was established with the purpose of hosting various art festivals and providing the grounds for researching various art themes. A major principle of the gallery is to promote works of art that actively attempt to explore the human mind.

⊙ The Hanok Smith Likes (스미스가 좋아하는 한옥)

– Tel
+82-2-722-7003

The Hanok Smith Likes is a restaurant located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, housed in a renovated hanok. It offers a fusion of Korea’s traditional beauty with Italian cuisine. Specializing in oven-baked pizza and pasta, it also features a variety of Italian dishes. The oven-baked pizzas are particularly popular, known for their chewy crusts and generous toppings. In 2023, it was selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul.

⊙ Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum (이리자 한복전시관)

– Tel
+82-2-734-9477

The Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum displays the traditional clothing worn in Korea from birth to death. All hanbok displayed at the museum are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja herself, who has over 40 years of experience.

⊙ Boan1942 (보안1942)

– Homepage
b1942.com

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of “Boanstay.”

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul’s historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)