Gyeonghuigung Palace
45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
One of Seoul’s five Joseon Dynasty-era palaces, Gyeonghuigung Palace was built in 1623 by King Gwanghaegun. Portions of the structure were rebuilt after a 19th-century fire, and today, you can visit several reconstructed living and meeting halls. The Seoul Museum of History and SeMA Museum of Art are also located on site.
The Basics
Admire the ornately carved Heunghwamun Gate, see the king’s living quarters at Jajeongjeon Hall, and visit Taeryeongjeon Hall—the compound’s main reception area, where formal banquets and meetings were once held. For insight into South Korea’s storied past, stroll across Geumcheongyo Bridge to visit the site’s Seoul Museum of History.
Gyeonghuigung Palace is included as a stop on some Seoul walking tours, and it’s also possible to see the palace on a private city tour. To explore at your own pace, visit independently on a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
Gyeonghuigung Palace is a must-see for history buffs and culture lovers.
Wear shoes suitable for walking through the palace grounds.
Some structures may not be accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Parking is available at the Seoul Museum of History.
How to Get There
Gyeonghuigung Palace is located in central Seoul, roughly 10 minutes by road from City Hall. Public transportation is a good way to travel in this Korean city—to get to the palace, take the subway to Seodaemun Station in the Jongno-gu District.
When to Get There
You can visit the palace year-round, as this historic site sees fewer crowds than Seoul’s larger Joseon palaces. Spring and fall are good times to visit, when the weather is typically sunny and mild.
What to See Near Gyeonghuigung Palace
You could easily spend your whole day in the Gyeonghuigung Palace area. The SeMA Gyeonghuigung Museum of Art—a branch of the Seoul Museum of Art—is set on the palace grounds along with the Seoul Museum of History, which explains the capital’s history and culture through various exhibits.
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