No. 1 Historical Tour Place in Korea : Gyeongbokgung, the Royal Palace and Tips of Itineraries

Geunjeongjeon of Gyeongbokgung.

November 5th, 2022

  When you look up Korean tour, especially Seoul tour, probably you can see one of top ranks on Google is Gyeongbokgung(경복궁). Or just ask any person, while walking down the street in Seoul, where the must-visit place for foreign tourists is, then most of Koreans answer it is Gyeongbokgung.

  Gyeongbokgung is the first royal place of Joseon Dynasty(1392-1910), the kingdom era just right before modern times of Korea. Gyeong means “brilliance”, bok is “fortune”, and gung is “a palace”. This palace had seen all the painful and also glorious days of Korea, and now it shows us magnificent scenes of past and present with national and international colors with its consistency.

  Here comes a fun fact. Back in my high school, early 1990’s, most of middle schools and high schools were boys only or girls only. At that time Korean society was very conservative that students were banned to date. But many students try to meet other opposite gender school’s students. Gyeongbokgung was one of hot places among boys and girls in Seoul to meet and date with each other. When I was a high school student, I participated in a group blind dating event. It was that a group of girls met a group of boys and were paired by games. That’s how it worked. I met a boy and we walked and talked in Gyeongbokgung, and we said good bye, that’s it. It was fun.

Alex is pushing Soo’s wheelchair at the corridor of Gyeongbokgung.

1. History of Gyeongbokgung

  Gyeongbokgung was built in 1395 by ordering from the Joseon’s first king, Taejo. It is also the biggest royal palace in Joseon Dynasty. But it was burn and destroyed by Japanese army in 1592, when Japan invaded Joseon.

  In 1867, the restoring plan was started by Heungseon Daewongun, the father of Gojong, then Joseon’s king. But during the Japanese occupation(1910-1945), once again many parts of the palace were destroyed.

  In 1990, the project to restore Gyeongbokgung was launched again with demolishing the building of the Japanese Government General of Joseon inside of the palace. Even though the restoration is still going on, now it has regained its old regal splendour.

Gwanghwamun.

2. Location of Gyeongbokgung

  The palace is in Gwanghwamun area, the hub connecting to all districts across Seoul, Gyeonggi and Incheon by public transportation. Gwanghwamun is the name of the main gate of Gyeongbokgung, that’s why the whole area is called Gwanghwamun.

  Gyeongbokgung is backed by Bukak Mountain, aka Baekak Mountain, and The Blue House, the Korean Presidential residence is between the mountain and the palace. And the palace overlooks Gwanghwamun Square and the downtown area.

3. Attractions of Gyeongbokgung

  First, when you enter Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung, you can see the breathtaking main hall of the palace. And you will be appreciative of the beauty of the inner palace.

  Spots you must see in Gyeongbokgung are as below.

  (1) Geunjeongjeon

  Geunjeongjeon is the structure you can see first as soon as you enter the main gate. It is the hall where the government held official events such as ancestral ritual formalities, coronation, king’s wedding, welcoming of envoys. It is the biggest structure in Gyeongbokgung. 

  (2) Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon

  Gangnyeongjeon is the place for the king’s daily life like sleeping and eating, and Gyotaejeon is for the queen. Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon stand next to each other.

Hwangwonjeong.

  (3) Gyeonghoeru and Hwangwonjeong

  Gyeonghoeru is the big pavilion where held banquets for the royal family and foreign envoys. The pavilion is in the middle of the pond and one of the most beautiful structures in Gyeongbokgung.

  Hwangwonjeong is also a pavilion and in the middle of a pond. Hwangwonjeong is much smaller than Gyeonghoeru, but it has been popular as a hot place in Gyeongbokgung, since many beautiful photos were spread on social media recently. 

  (4) Changing of the Palace Guard Ceremony

  Changing of the Palace Guard Ceremony is a magnificent spectacle. It is a ceremony to relive the guards in front of the main gate with a parade. It is held at Gwanghwamun twice a day, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Alex and Soo at the National Falk Museum of Korea.

  (5) National Falk Museum of Korea

  It is the modern building built in the northeast side of Gyeongbokgung. It is a museum about history of Korean culture and life. This museum is worth a visit after tour of Gyeongbokgung.

4. How to Get Gyeongbokgung

  There is Gyeongbokgung Subway Station on Line No.3 of Seoul Metro just across Gyeongbokgung. Using subway is the most popular way to get the palace. And so many buses from everywhere stop at Gwanghwamun.

  Its addreess is 161 Sajik-ro, Jongro-gu, Seoul, but you don’t need the address to get Gyeongbokgung by a taxi. Just say Gyeongbokgung to drivers.

5. Opening Hours and Admission

  January to February 9:00 - 17:00 (Last admission is at 16:00).

  March to May 9:00 - 18:00 (Last admission is at 17:00).

  June to August 9:00 - 18:30 (Last admission is at 17:30).

  September to October 9:00 - 18:00 (Last admission is at 17:00).

  November to December 9:00 - 17:00 (Last admission is at 16:00).

  Every Tuesday is off day.

  

  3,000 won per an adult(2,400 won for a group of 10 people or more).

  1,500 won per a kid between age of 7 and 18(1,200 won for a group of 10 people or more).

  Age 6 or under, 65 and above is free.

  Admission of The National Falk Museum of Korea is free.

Tourists wearing hanbok.

  The important tip! A person wearing hanbok, the Korean traditional clothing, can enter the palace free. There are many hanbok rental shops outside of the palace. The price range of rental is wide from 10,000 won to 50,000 won, depending on time and items. It is a good opportunity to make a good memory with family, friends or a partner wearing beautiful hanbok and taking great photos at Gyeongbokgung.

  Another important tip! The National Falk Museum of Korea is beyond the wall of the palace. There is the gate on the wall connecting the palace and the museum. Once you get out of the wall, you cannot enter the palace without ticketing again. If you are not wearing hanbok and must buy a ticket to enter the palace, go to the museum after finish to tour the palace. 

6. Itineraries of A Half-Day Trip to Gyeongbokgung Including Breakfast, Lunch and Dessert. 

  Gwanghwamun is a very crowded and busy downtown with tourists from all around the world and office workers, and cars and buses. In morning time, it is a very quiet and peaceful place. Here is the itinerary of a half-day trip to Gyeongbokgung we recommend.

  This is the same itinerary as we literally did for Gyeongbokgung tour on 5th November 2022, and it doesn’t include time to rent hanbok.

  - 8:30 am Breakfast at the bakery cafe, Paris Baguette Gyeongbokgung Subway Station Branch

    We ate sandwich, hotdog and coffee there. 

  - 9:30 am Tour of Gyeongbokgung and The National Falk Museum of Korea

   

  - 11:50 am Lunch at the beansprout guk-bap restaurant, Sambaekjip

     We had congnamul guk-bap(beansprout guk-bap) and gun-mandu(fried dumplings).

 

  - 12:30 pm Coffee time at Flash Coffee

     We had avocado latte and Earl Grey milk tea.

 

  - 1:30 pm Snack time at Seochon Geumsang Potato Croquette

     We bought a takeout box set of five croquettes and brought it home.

  I posted information about each restaurant and cafe in detail here. https://tnb4earlybirds.blogspot.com/2022/11/recommendation-of-itinerary-for-short.html

7. Other Tourist Spots around Gyeongbokgung 

  As I mentioned, Gwanghwamun is one of the biggest downtowns in Seoul. There are many touristy spots and attractions you must go while you are in Gyeongbokgung area.

  - Gwanghwamun Square : The newly renovated and opened square for citizens.

  - Insadong : The street of stores to sell Korean traditional goods and food.

  - Bukchon Hanok Village and Seochon : The villages keep Korean traditional houses, hanok, with modern trendy shops and restaurants. Bukchon Hanok Village is the east of the palace, and Seochon is the west.

  - The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art : The national art gallery and museum.

  - Sejong Village’s Food Street : The special tourism district designated by the government to promote Korean restaurants.

  - Tongin Traditional Market : A traditional market for residents.

  Besides, there are Sajik Park, Sejong Center for the Performing Art, Kyobo Book Center, etc. All the places above are within walking distance of Gyeongbokgung.