Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul, South Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395, is the largest and most iconic of Seoul's Five Grand Palaces. As the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, it served as the political and cultural heart of Korea for over 500 years. The palace showcases traditional Korean architecture with its stunning pavilions, throne halls, and secret gardens set against the backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain. Today, visitors can witness the changing of the guard ceremony and explore over 7,700 rooms across 40 hectares of historical grounds.
Highlights
- Geunjeongjeon Hall - The majestic throne room where kings held state affairs
- Gyeonghoeru Pavilion - A stunning two-story pavilion floating on a lotus pond
- Royal Changing of the Guard Ceremony - Traditional ceremony held twice daily
- National Palace Museum - Housing thousands of royal artifacts and treasures
- Hyangwonjeong Pavilion - Scenic hexagonal pavilion on an island
Visitor tips
- Wear or rent traditional Korean hanbok for free palace admission
- Arrive early for the 10 AM changing of the guard ceremony
- Combine your visit with nearby Bukchon Hanok Village
- Download the audio guide app for detailed historical information
- Photography is allowed but not inside throne halls
Walks that pass Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Gyeongbokgung Palace — 8 stops, ~65 min
Other walks in Seoul
- Hongdae & Yeonnam-dong: Youth Culture — 5 stops, ~50 min
- Myeongdong & Namdaemun: Shopping, Faith & City History — 8 stops, ~70 min
- Seochon: Literature, Hidden Hanoks, and Everyday Seoul — 8 stops, ~80 min
- Changdeokgung: The Palace of Nature's Harmony — 6 stops, ~60 min
- Bukchon: Living Heritage in the Heart of Seoul — 8 stops, ~60 min
- Jongmyo: The Eternal Sanctuary of Joseon — 7 stops, ~45 min