Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul and be transported back to ancient Korea. This stunning royal palace was originally built in 1395 and has over 7000 rooms! It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, and was even left abandoned for 200 years at one point. One of the most incredible aspects of visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is that you can rent a traditional Hanbok outfit to wear while you are there. And don’t worry – visitors are actively encouraged, no matter what their background, to don this traditional Korean outfit. The result is that you really will feel like you’ve been transported back in time, as all the other people around you become part of the attraction!
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How to explore Gyeongbokgung Palace?
You can either wander around by yourself or book onto a guided tour. These tours are free of charge and start at 11am at the Gyeongbokgung Palace Information Center just inside the Heungnyemun Gate.
Alternatively you can pay for a smaller group / private tour like this one here.
The palace is open every day apart from Tuesdays.
What to see in Gyeongbokgung Palace?
There are a lot of different areas and events to see in the palace, including:
- The Changing of the Guard ceremony (11am and 2pm every day)
- National Palace Museum of Korea
- Geunjeongjeon Hall
- Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
- National Folk Museum Of Korea
- National Folk Museum Of Korea
How long should I spend at Gyeongbokgung Palace?
The Gyeongbokgung Palace complex is huge. There are multiple buildings to see as well as extensive grounds and lakes. So I’d recommend setting aside a decent amount of time. Especially if it’s hot weather.
How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace
The easiest way to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace is to take the subway to Gyeongbokgung station. There are then clear signposts pointing the way to the palace.
How much does it cost to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace?
You can purchase tickets at the entrance to the palace. The entrance fee for 19-64 year olds is 3,000 won (at the time of writing GBP £1.70 / USD $2.17 / AUD $3.23). It’s cheaper for children and over 65s.
Is there a dress code?
There is no specific dress code but I’d recommend comfortable shoes for walking. If it’s summer then wear something loose and comfortable as Seoul can get very hot. As this is a significant historical site for Koreans, I also recommend dressing fairly conservatively. The best way of all to enjoy the palace is to hire a traditional Hanbok outfit (see below).
Where can I hire a Hanbok outfit?
Apparently if you visit Gyeongbokgung palace wearing a Hanbok, admission is free of charge. There are several shops such as “Hanboknam” just outside the palace where you can hire a hanbok for the day. Some also offer hair styling and accessories.
I hope you enjoy your visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul!
Want to learn more about South Korea? Read my book recommendations here.
[…] Gyeongbokgung Palace is the perfect way to start off your visit to Seoul. You’ll completely immerse yourself in traditional Korean culture. This beautiful royal palace dates back to 1395 and covers a huge area complete with parks and lakes. I recommend wearing comfortable shoes as you can spend hours walking around. One of the best things about visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is that you’re encouraged to rent a traditional Hanbok outfit to wear. This is clever as it means that all the other visitors become part of the attraction as they add to the atmosphere rather than taking away from it. Read my detailed post about visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace here. […]