Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-see during a visit to Seoul. Its grounds are larger than I expected (they just kept going and going and GOING). Today I’m sharing a brief history of Gyeongbokgung Palace, some details about the Changing of the Guard, and information to help you visit on your own!
Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul
I gave some history about the palace itself in a previous post. So if you’ve been here a while, I apologize for the repetition. Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of five grand palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) – the longest Imperial Dynasty in Korea. Originally constructed in 1395, it served as the main palace for around 200 years (housing the royal family and important members of the government) before it was destroyed in war and left abandoned. After being largely rebuilt and then destroyed (again!) during the Japanese Imperial Rule, it was named a cultural property in the 1960’s and then the rebuilding began in the 1990’s. Although the palace you now see isn’t the original one that was built in the 14th century, it was built in the same layout and in the same style as the original grounds.
I’m a sucker for the Joseon-style buildings and details – which isn’t something I fully appreciated before our move to South Korea. As the longest dynasty in Korea’s history, there are MANY buildings that are built in this style throughout the Peninsula (remember our trip to Oeam Folk Village?) and it never gets old for me. The kids, on the other hand, have gotten PRETTY tired of looking at “fancy old buildings” (as they call them), but they also seem to understand that our time here is so limited that we want to see as many of these buildings as we can. Plus, since I’ve developed an affinity toward this old-style architecture, they’ve been pretty patient as they humor my obsession.
We were ALL surprised at just how large the grounds for Gyeongbokgung Palace are. Coming in at a whopping 4,476,000 square feet, the size is difficult to comprehend – even as you’re walking through it. We would walk through a doorway from one building, only to find two more large squares with other buildings on the other side. In the very back are beautiful gardens and shaded paths that, had we not been carting five VERY exhausted children with us, we would have loved to explore more.
Changing of the Guard at Gwanghwamun Gate
Twice a day, every day (except Tuesdays), there is a Changing of the Guard ceremony outside of Gyeongbokgung Palace. This ceremony is a reenactment of the one that was held during the Joseon dynasty, when soldiers who protected Gwanghwamun Gate were finished with their shift and switched out with new soldiers. Not only is the ceremony the same as it was back then, but outfits and weapons carried by the soldiers are designed after what would have been worn and used then too.
The entire ceremony is in Korean, so we didn’t understand a thing they were saying. Still, it was an incredible experience being transported back in time to the Joseon era. The flags, the drumbeats, and the way the soldiers moved was nothing short of artistic. Even the kids were mesmerized by the experience. The entire ceremony lasted less than 20 minutes long, and we were grateful it wasn’t longer. There is no shade in the square and the day was a HOT one. Still, the Changing of the Guard was worth seeing and I’m glad we were finally able to check this event off of our bucket list!
Seoul is one of my favorite things about South Korea and I look for just about any opportunity I can to visit. Brandon doesn’t exactly feel the same way, but he humors me by cooperating with our frequent Seoul visits. I’m sure we will make it up to Seoul and Gyeongbokgung Palace again before our time on the Pen is complete. But until then, I’ll be reminiscing about all of our past visits!
’til next time…
Ash
How to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace
Directions: Paste 서울 종로구 사직로 161 into Naver or use this Naver pin to navigate to the main entrance for Gyeongbokgung Palace. The ticket booth is in the square between Gwanghwamun Gate and Gyeongbokgung Palace (to the left of the square if you are facing Gwanghwamun Gate). There is no public parking lot specifically for the palace that I’m aware of. However, there is an underground parking garage a short walk from the palace. It’s a little pricey (we paid ₩38,000 for about four hours) but may be worth it if you’re going ONLY for the palace. (You can use this link to get to the parking garage for Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun Branch.) If you don’t want to pay for parking, the palace is conveniently located near both Gyeongbokgung Station and City Hall Station.
Cost:
Gyeongbokgung Palace Admission ONLY
Adults ages 19-64 years old – ₩3,000
*FREE entrance for people under 18 years old, people older than 64 years old, and anyone wearing a hanbok.
**Admission for all four palaces AND Jongmyo Shrine
Adults ages 19-64 years old – ₩10,000
FREE entrance for people under 18 years old, people older than 64 years old, and anyone wearing a hanbok.
*For more information on renting hanboks to wear, visit my post about renting hanboks to wear around Seoul.
**Combo pass valid for three months from date of purchase.
*Hours:
CLOSED TUESDAYS
November – February: open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:00am – 5:00pm
March – May: open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:00am – 6:00pm
June – August: open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:00am – 6:30pm
September – October: open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:00am – 6:00pm
*Last admission one hour prior to closing.
Amenities: No food or drink is allowed within the grounds of the palace (water bottles are okay), but there are restrooms available within the grounds.
Accessibility: The grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace are stroller friendly if you have a stroller with large wheels – like a jogging stroller. Smaller-wheeled strollers and wheelchairs are more difficult on the grounds. Keep in mind that there are stairs leading up to the various building in Gyeongbokgung Palace (which you cannot enter, but can see inside of) so even larger-wheeled strollers won’t be able to access some areas.
How to see the Changing of the Guard at Gwanghwamun Gate
Directions: You can use this link to get to Gwanghwamun Gate (or paste 서울 종로구 효자로 12 into Naver). The same parking information shared about Gyeongbokgung Palace above applies for visiting Gwanghwamun Gate.
Cost: FREE
Changing of the Guard: Visitors can see the Changing of the Guard in the square between Gwanghwamun Gate and the entrance to Gyeongbokgung Palace every day EXCEPT TUESDAYS at 10:00am and 2:00pm. During the time before the ceremony, visitors are free to approach the guards and take pictures with them. About five minutes before the ceremony, visitors will be asked to clear the area in front of the guards, and watch from behind a rope.
Hours: The gate is open for visitors 24 hours a day, although the inside of the square is only open when Gyeongbokgung Palace is open.
Amenities: There is a museum to the side of Gwanghwamun Gate (if your standing in the square between the gate and Gyeongbokgung Palace and facing the gate, the museum is off to the right) which is FREE to enter and has multiple levels with bathrooms and a café.
Accessibility: The museum and the square behind Gwanghwamun Gate are both easily accessible by stroller or wheelchair. Keep in mind that the ground in the square is packed dirt, so it will be muddy with recent rain.
