Uncovering Seoul Palace's Timeless Stories
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GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
The first royal palace built in the Joseon Dynasty is where the 500-year history of Joseon began. The largest of the five grand palaces remaining in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace showcases Joseon's royal culture, palace life, and architecture through Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and other structures. The National Palace Museum and National Folk Museum of Korea are nearby to learn more about royal culture and historical living conditions. location_on Address: 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
schedule Opening hours:
Nov - Feb | 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Mar - May & Sep - Oct | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Jun - Aug | 09:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Closed on Tuesdays |
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DEOKSUGUNG PALACE
This Joseon Dynasty palace became the historical venue for the establishment of the Great Korean Empire. It is the only palace in Seoul that has a modern building, a Western-style garden, and a fountain. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held every day at the main gate is a must-see attraction. The stonewall walkway that runs along Deoksugung Palace has been selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Roads in Korea, giving it a different feeling throughout each of the four seasons. location_on Address: 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
schedule Opening hours:
Tue - Sun | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Closed on Monday |
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CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE
This UNESCO World Heritage site is the best-preserved palace of the Joseon Dynasty. Built in 1405, Changdeokung Palace boasts picturesque scenery as the palace where the kings of the Joseon Dynasty spent the most time. Since Rear Garden of Changdeokung is available only to select visitors, a separate fee must be paid, aside from the fee for the palace tour. Visiting hours and the number of people allowed in at a time are also limited, so check the website for information on the Rear Garden tour. location_on Address: 99, Vulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
schedule Opening hours:
Nov - Jan | 09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
Feb - May & Sep - Oct | 00 AM - 06:00 PM
Jun - Aug | 09:00 AM - 06:30 PM
Closed on Mon |
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CHANGGYEONGGUNG PALACE
This palace was built by King Seongjong, the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty, for Queen Jeonghui, the wife of King Sejo, Queen Ansun, the wife of King Yejong, and Queen Sohye, the wife of King Deokjong. Connected to Changdeokgung Palace, it formed a single palace called Donggung, and served to make up for shortage of residential space in Changdeokgung.
The outstanding architectural beauty of the time is confirmed through Honghwamun, the main gate of Changgyeonggung. Korea's first Western-style greenhouse, completed in 1909, can also be seen here. location_on Address: 185, Changgyeonggungro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
schedule Opening hours:
Tue - Sun | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Closed on Monday |
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JONGMYO SHRINE
This shrine is where ancestral rites are held for the spirit tablets of the kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. The Jongmyo Jere, held every May, is the oldest ritual in the world that has been held since 1464, and was selected as a UNESCO masterpiece of oral tradition and intangible heritage in 2001. location_on Address: 157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
schedule Opening hours:
Wed - Mon | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Closed on Tuesday |
