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Seoul Destination

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace0 : A view of a two-story traditional pavilion in the middle of a lake
Gyeongbokgung Palace1 : A view of the tiles on the building in Gyeongbokgung Palace seen from nearby
Gyeongbokgung Palace2 : A view of Gyeonghoeru at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace3 : The right side of the main gate of the palace seen over a sculpture in lion-look-like imaginary animal
Gyeongbokgung Palace4 : Panoramic view of Gyeongbokgung Palace at night seen far away

Basic Information

Overview

Gyeongbokgung Palace, located in the background of Bukaksan Mountain, is the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, the last dynastic kingdom of Korea. It was founded by the first King of Joseon Taejo in 1395, around Gwanghwamun Gate, which embraced the Yookcho Street, which is now Sejong-ro

The arrangement of the buildings is in the harmony of the unity and variety. The main gates and halls, including Gwanghwamun gate and Geunjeongjeon are arranged symmetrically from the center of the palace, and the subsidiary buildings are dispersed all over the palace. The name Gyeongbokgung signifies the blessings and prosperity of the new dynasty. Jeong Do-jeon, one of the founding contributors of the Joseon Dynasty, named the palace and the main halls upon the order of Taejo of Joseon. 


Attractions

Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was burnt down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592, was rebuilt in 1867 during the reign of Gojong of Korea. His father Grand Internal Prince Heungseon led the reconstruction and rebuilt about 500 establishments, but most of them were demolished during the Japanese colonial period. Since then, only a few main buildings have remained. 

In the restoration work that started in 1990, the former building of the Japanese Government General of Korea that hid Gyeongbokgung Palace was demolished, allows to see Gyeongbokgung Palace at a glance from Gwanghwamun Square. It is currently restored about 28%, and planned to restore up to 41% by 2045. 

Besides Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoiroo, the main banquet hall on a lake, and Hyangwonjeong, two-story pavilion are popular photo spots for tourists. There are several traditional costume Hanbok rental shops nearby and, so many visitors enjoy taking a walk in the palace in Hanbok


*The admission is free for visitors in Hanbok.


Accessibility

The entryway is wide with no steps, but is gently inclined. The main entrance is broad with no steps, but the slope is steep, so caution is needed for wheelchair and stroller users. There are ramps throughout the palace, however, it may be inconvenient for wheelchair users as there are unpaved roads and rough stone floors. There are single-user accessible restrooms at Hongbokjeon

There are a diaper changing station, a microwave, and a sink in the nursing room near the information center. The wheelchairs and strollers rental is available.

Korean braille information maps are available at the information center near the ticket office, and Korean sign language commentary videos are provided through the QR code. 

There are nine accessible parking lots in the outdoor parking close to the entrance.

Public Transportation

Address
161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Sejongno)
Subway
Exit 5 of subway line 3 Gyeongbokgung station Exit 2 of subway line 5 Gwanghwamun station
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