Have you heard that you can truly feel the history of Korea in the middle of Seoul? In particular, you can feel the atmosphere of the Joseon Dynasty, which is at the core of Korean history, through the royal palaces located in Seoul. Gyeongbok Palace, Deoksu Palace, Changgyeong Palace, and Changdeok Palace are representative palaces of Joseon Dynasty. Along with the characteristics of the buildings, some tips and points of view of these palaces will also be included, so let’s take a closer look at them!
Gyeongbok Palace
<Operating hours>
Nov-Feb .................. 09:00-17:00
Mar-May ................. 09:00-18:00
Jun-Aug .................. 09:00-18:30
Sep-Oct ................... 09:00-18:00
<Admission>
Individuals Adults 3,000 won / Children 1,500 won
Groups Adults 2,400 won / Children 1,200 won
* Adults (ages 19-64) / Children (ages 7-18) * Groups: 10 people or more * Free admission: Preschoolers (ages 6 and younger), senior citizens (ages 65 and older)
Built in 1395 by Joseon's first King, King Taejo, Gyeongbok Palace is the first legal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. It offers a grand sense of size and architectural beauty. The palace along with many other buildings of that era, was burnt down during the Imjin war of Korea, and during King Gojong's reign. Some parts were rebuilt under the leadership of Heungseon Daewongun. However, with the fall of the dynasty, Gyeongbok Palace lost its function as a royal palace. In Gyeongbok Palace, the ponds of Gyeonghoeru and Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, which are well-known structures of the Joseon Dynasty, remain as archetypes, and the platform and statues of Geunjeongjeon represent sculpture art of that time. The National Palace Museum is located on the west side of Heungnye gate and the National Folk Museum is located on the east side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion in Gyeongbok Palace.
Deoksu Palace
<Operating hours>
Everyday 09:00-21:00 * Last admission 1 hour before closing
<Admission>
Individuals Adults 1,000 won / Children 500 won
Groups Adults 800 won / Children 400 won
* Adults (ages 19-64) / Children (ages 7-18) * Group: 10 people or more * Free admission: Preschoolers (ages 6 and younger), senior citizens (ages 65 and older)
Deoksu Palace was first used as a temporary residence for King Seonjo after the Imjin war of Korea, and was renamed Gyeongun Palace during Gwanghaegun reign. After King Gojong's stay here in 1907, it was changed to Deoksu Palace to wish King Gojong a long life. Since King Gojong moved from the Russian Legation in 1897, many buildings have been built at Deoksu Palace. This place was the center of political turmoil for about a decade in King Gojong's later reign, and it is noted that several Western-style buildings were built in the palace. Through these Western-style buildings, Deoksu Palace is the palace that encountered a turbulent history at the end of the Joseon Dynasty, and these days the traditional wooden architecture and Western-style architecture remain together.
Changgyeong Palace
<Operating hours>
Everyday 09:00-21:00 * Last admission 20:00
<Admission>
Adults Individual 1,000 won / Group 800 won
Teenagers & Children Individual 500 won / Group 400 won
* Adults (ages 19-64) / Teenagers & Children (ages 7-18) * Group: 10 people or more * Free admission: Preschoolers (ages 6 and younger), senior citizens (ages 65 and older)
Changgyeong Palace was named after King Sejong's King Taejong in 1418 and Myeongjeongjeon Hall, Munjeongjeon Hall, and Tongmyeongjeon Hall, which King Seongjong built in 1484 to serve the three queens. During the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1909, the reconstruction of the building happened again after suffering from a fire. However, in 1909, much of it was damaged by the Japanese colonial rule and lowered to Changgyeongwon. Since 1987, the government's efforts have restored the image of the old palace. Changgyeong Palace is highly valued for its natural value as more than 160 species of rare aquatic species are preserved as a result of planting a lot of wild trees for Queen Jeonghui, the founder of King Seongjong, and Queen Sohye. Until November, there will be a "forest commentary program" that combines trees and history every Saturday and Sunday.
*Tip! To the south of Changgyeong Palace is Jongmyo shrine, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site and Historic Site No. 125. Jongmyo Shrine is an important place in the history of Joseon, where ancestral rites were held during the Joseon Dynasty to honor the reigns of previous the kings and queens. Let's go visit Jongmyo along with Changgyeong Palace and truly feel the atmosphere of Korea!
Changdeok Palace
<Operating hours>
Feb-May, Sep-Oct ...............09:00-18:00
Jun-Aug ...............................09:00-18:30
Nov-Jan ...............................09:00-17:30
* Last admission: 1 hour before closing [Secret Garden Tour (Guided tour only)]
Mar-May, Sep-Oct ..............10:00-17:30
Jun-Aug ...............................10:00-18:00
Feb, Nov .............................10:00-17:00
Dec-Jan ...............................10:00-16:30
* Last tour: 1 hr 30 min before closing
<Admission>
Adults (ages 25-64) 3,000 won / Group (over 10 people) 2,400 won
Changdeok Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, was designed with harmony with nature as the top priority and emphasizing the importance of local the mountains. It forms not only a palace, but also a unity of nature. The royal garden is the core of Changdeok Palace. The Secret Garden is a traditional Korean facility that shows the essence of the Korean garden. In fact, many kings and royal family members gathered here to enjoy banquets, walks, and learning. Changdeok Palace is said to be the palace where kings lived for the longest time among the Joseon's palaces. However, this garden can only be viewed under the guidance of cultural heritage commentators. If you want to attend, you must make a reservation through the website in advance.
*Tip!
Admission
- Admission fee is free for people wearing hanbok, and for all visitors on the last Wednesday of every month (Culture day)
- There are many stores that lend hanbok around the palace. Let's make lots of good memories and pictures for about 10,000 won for two hours!
- It is much cheaper to purchase integrated tour tickets for the four palaces, including Jongmyo Shrine. They can be purchased at any of the four major palaces and Jongmyo Ticket Office.
Events
- Each palace has a fixed viewing time for the Royal Palace Guard Changing Ceremony and free commentary, so make sure to check it out on the website in advance.
- If you wish to participate in the free commentary guide program, you must apply in advance for a reservation. (Current commentary guide programs have been suspended since December 23, 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.)
- Let's broaden our understanding of the Joseon Palace and learn more about the historical situation at that time through a free explanation by experts. Comments in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese are provided.
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