Gyeongbokgung Palace

The basics

The royal palace grounds stretch for 100 acres (40.5 hectares) and offer a number of sights to see, including the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Hyangwonjeong Pond, and the National Folk Museum of Korea, which features more than 98,000 artifacts that detail Korean history and culture. The Third Inner Gate (Geunjeongmun), the Throne Hall (Geunjeongjeon), the Executive Office (Sajeongjeon), and, of course, the king’s and queen’s quarters are also highlights.

A stop at Gyeongbokgung Palace is included in most Seoul city tours and on just about every royalty-themed tour of Seoul. Visit on a bus or walking tour that includes entry and you can explore all parts of the complex while also stopping at other cultural sites such as Jogyesa Temple, Bukchon Hanok Village, the National Palace Museum of Korea, and Namsangol Hanok Village. The palace grounds include a convenience store, a souvenir shop, and a currency exchange.

Things to know before you go

• Wear comfortable shoes for exploring the complex’s vast grounds.

• Some areas of the palace complex offer limited access for wheelchairs.

• Gyeongbokgung Palace tickets are sold up to one hour before closing. On Tuesdays the palace is closed.

• Adult Gyeongbokgung Palace tickets cost 3,000 won (KRW) or approximately US$2.

• If you wear a hanbok, traditional Korean clothing, you may get free entry; many Gyeongbokgung Palace tours include premium hanbok rentals in the price of the tour.

• There is no strict dress code for visiting the palace; but dressing modestly is your best bet.

• Restrooms are available on-site, and like many places in Korea, you don’t have to pay to use them.

• The palace does not allow pets.

How to get there

The closest metro station is the aptly named Gyeongbokgung Station (Seoul Subway Line 3). Get out at Exit 5 and you'll emerge right at the palace grounds. A parking lot sits to the left of the palace.

If you’re just in Seoul on a long layover (at least 12 hours), you should have enough time to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. Just keep in mind that if you travel by taxi, you may encounter traffic in Seoul, especially during rush hour. Taking the train from the airport to Gyeongbokgung Station is a better, and cheaper option.

When to get there

Gyeongbokgung Palace is open from Wednesday to Monday year-round, and on weekdays, it’s often full of touring Korean schoolchildren. Fall is a popular time to visit thanks to the autumn foliage that turns a deep red, while springtime brings cherry blossoms.

If you want to see Gyeongbokgung Palace at its quietest, come early in the morning. (The Korean palace complex opens at 9am throughout the year but has varying closing hours.) The site is huge, though, so you should be able to find some peace and quiet no matter the time of day.

Changing of the royal guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace

If you time your visit right, you’ll get to see the royal guard-changing ceremony. This unique experience allows you to witness full Joseon-era regalia in all its glory. The ceremony takes place twice daily at 10am and 2pm, except Tuesdays when the palace is closed. Find it in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate—the imposing main gate that separates the palace from one of the busiest parts of the city.

The changing of the royal guard has taken place since 2002 and is a re-enactment of an ancient ceremony. Today, the Korean government does it for tourism purposes and to give guests a glimpse at what life was like when this was the palace of the Joseon dynasty. Arrive early, ideally 15 minutes before the changing of the guard begins, if you want to get a good spot to view the ceremony. Otherwise, you may end up only seeing the back of the heads of the people in front of you.