Hi all and welcome back,
Today I'm going to talk about Gyeongbokgung Palace and the museums that are also located within the palace walls. It's really cool that they have used the space to offer a variety of experiences there. First I want to talk about Gyeongbokgun Palace. It was the main royal palace in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. It was originally built in 1395. It’s 1 of 5 grand palaces built by the Joseon dynasty and in Seoul, it is 1 of 5 palaces you can visit today. These palaces are Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgungm, Changgyeonggung, Gyeonghuigung, and Deoksugung. Much of Gyeongbokgung was destroyed during the Imjin War and in the early 20th century during the Japanese occupation, but much of it has been systematically restored, rebuilt, or buildings have been moved from other locations to replace those lost.
Gyeongbokgung Palace and Museums Map
Gyeongbokgung Grounds Map
Gyeongbokgung Main Gate
Gyeongbokgung is located in the northern-central part of the city. It is located next to Bukchon Hanok Village. Bukchon Hanok Village is a great place to see traditional-style houses and it's where many officials or royalty would live if they didn't live in the palaces.
Map of Location of Gyeonbokgung Palace
There are different ways you can enter but when you want to visit the palace you're going to enter by the main gate (Gwanghwamun Gate). Tickets cost 3,000 won per adult. But if you're wearing a Hanbok (rented or one you own) you can get in for free. That's why it's not a bad idea to go to a Hanbok rental company because you can save money and get cool pictures of the palace. If you want to visit the palace is open 9-5 in the winter and 6-6 in the summer (please check before
going because times might have changed). Make sure not to visit on Tuesday because you might be disappointed to learn that they are closed on Tuesdays.
If you're at the main gate around 10am or 3pm you can see a cool changing of the guard ceremony in Traditional Joseon. They use music and flags as part of the changing of the guard ceremony. If you want a good spot make sure to be waiting at the lines set up for watching a little before so that you can get good photos. You can get ones in the front of the gate or in the courtyard where the ticket office is. Sometimes they have night tours but in order to be on it you have to pre-book and they are usually only in summer. I didn't do that since I was more interested in seeing it during the day. If you want a more detailed tour you can go on a guided tour. Sometime during the year, they have a “Surgan Tasting Sympathy” where you can have traditional royal
food and see traditional performances. Sometimes if you're lucky they will have a traditional tea ceremony at Jahyeongjeon hall. You can get traditional tea and snacks and sit inside the hall.
Changing of Guard Ceremony
Changing of Guard Ceremony
Changing of Guard Ceremony
Changing of Guard Ceremony
From there you can walk through the Heungnyeum Gate into the outer
court (Oejeon) then into Geunjeongmun Gate to see the throne, in the courtyard
leading up there are rank stones marking where you would be depending on your
rank. It's really cool to see the inside and how well decorated it was.
Geunjeongmun Gate
Rank Markers
Throne Palace
Amber's Hanbok
Throne
Throne Room Roof
After seeing the throne room and getting some cool photos I suggest going left and visit the garden and Gyeonghoeru (Royal Banquet Hall aka Floating Pavilion). Here is another great spot to get Hanbok Photos.
Gyeonghoeru
Gyeonghoeru
Gyeonghoeru
Gyeonghoeru Garden
Amber's Hanbok in front of Gyeonghoeru
From there I suggest wandering back in the main building area and wandering around the
inner court (Naejon) where the King’s (Gangyeongjeon), Queen’s (Gyotaejeon), and
Queen Dowager’s (Jahyeongjeon) are located. Here you can see the different palaces when open. I also like the designs on the outdoor space near the palaces as they have brick chimneys that are decorated.
Decorated Chimneys
Gangyeongjeon
Jahyeongjeon
Gyotaejeon
If you're willing to wander over the large open space you can get to the Palace of
the Crown Prince (Donggung) where the Jaseondang (Crown Prince and Princess
quarters) and the Bihyeongak (study of Crown Prince) are located. It's really cool to visit here especially since it's quieter and fewer people visit the area.
After you get done with visiting the Crown Prince's Palace you can then venture over to see the Lotas Pavilion
(Hyangwonjeong) and the Jibokjae (Private Royal Library). It's really nice to sit and look at the Lotas Pavilion. Sometimes they have the library open where you can go inside and read books that they have on the shelf there. The first time I went they had the library open as well as a small cafe in the round part of the building. I don't know if they still have it since the last time I went they were working on the Lotas Pavilion and the library was closed for the winter.
Hyangwonjeong under construction
One time when Amber and her friend visited they had a traditional tea ceremony set up in Jagyeongjeon Hall. They really liked it because they got to eat traditional snacks and have traditional tea while sitting inside the actual hall. It was done up like a traditional tea house where they sat on the floor. The people who made the tea and brought it over were all dressed in traditional outfits adding to the ambiance of the whole thing. It was a great experience and if you have the chance I recommend doing it.
Traditional Tea and Snacks at Jagyeongjeon
Next, I want to talk about the National Palace Museum and National Folk
Museum of Korea. Both museums are also located on the same grounds as Gyeonbokgung Palace. Both museums are free to visit. The National Palace Museum is located near the main gate. There you can learn about the history of the palaces as well as see artifacts and relics that were part of life at the palaces. It's a great museum to visit if you want to learn more about the palaces and helps you understand what they were like.
The King's Seal
Map of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Map of Gyeongbokgung Palace
Traditional Foods served to the King at a Banquet
Traditional items used in different Ceremonies
Model of Jagyeokru, the Clephsydra, a timekeeping water clock
The National Folk Museum of Korea is a great place to go and visit if you're interested in the daily life of the average Korean. This building is located under a Pagoda building. It has a lot of traditional artifacts on display that are related to the average lives of Koreans. It is a great place to visit if you are interested in daily life during the Joseon Period.
Astronomy Night Sky Cubes
Donated Artifacts: a Hanbok and sewing machine
Seals
The 1970s-1980s traditional village
Traditional Clothes
Thank you for taking the time to read and learn about Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Museums. See you next time!!
-Travel
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