Gyeongbokgung was established in 1395 as the main palace, the principal one of all the royal palaces built for the Joseon Dynasty (1392 to 1910). If you are visiting Seoul for the first-time, it is likely that you may want to go on a Gyeongbokgung Palace tour, soaking in its immense history.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is located between Baegaksan Mountain to the north and Yukiogeori (Six Ministries Street, present-day Sejong-daero) to the south, just outside the palace’s main gate, Gwanghwamun
Before embarking on a Gyeongbokgung Palace tour, you should learn about what you can expect to see, including getting an overview with a map and understanding how the royal palace came about. This will help you to better appreciate whatever you see while on a Gyeongbokgung Palace tour.
Gyeongbokgung Palace History
The name of the palace, Gyeong-Bok, which literally means “brilliance and fortune”, was given by Jeong Do-jeon (1342 to 1398), a renowned Neo-Confucian scholar-statesman who lived in the 14th century.
Jeong Do-jeon plaved a key role in establishing the Joseon Dynasty and the name, Gyeong-Bok, reflects the leaders’ wishes for the dynasty to flourish and prosper.
In 1592, Gyeongbokgung Palace was destroyed by fire. A huge Japanese army under the command of Toyotorn Hideyoshi had invaded Korea and destroyed the place.
The palace lay in ruins for about 270 years until 1867 when a restoration project was launched by Heunoseon Daewonaun (1820 to 1898), then head of the government.
Around 500 buildings were restored or newly built as a result of this project, including the Inner and Outer Palace offices in which the king and his government officials performed their duties, and the residences and other related buildings used by the king, queen and court ladies, and the royal gardens.
The restored palace once again suffered significant damage at the hands of the Japanese colonial authorities during the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945.
An example of the travesty that occurred was in 1915 when over ninety percent of the palace buildings were demolished under the pretext of the Korean Product Promotion Fair that would be held in the grounds of the palace.
It was not until 1990 when a project was undertaken to restore the palace. This included the demolition of the Japanese Government-General Building that had stood in the palace grounds for about seventy years.
Now that you know a bit more about the place of Gyeongbokgung Palace in the history of Korea, it is time to take a look at some of the buildings you can expect to encounter on a Gyeongbokgung Palace tour.
Gyeongbokgung Palace Tour & Buildings
Gyeongbokgung Palace Map
Here’s a Gyeongbokgung Palace map showing the major places and sights that you can see while at the palace.
1. Geunjeongjeon Hall
After purchasing your Gyeongbokgung Palace tickets, you can step through the Heungnyemun Gate and into the palace.
Go past another gate, the Geunjeongmun Gate and you will be looking at the Geunjeongjeon Hall, the throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The name Geun-Jeong literally means “diligent governance” and it was where the main hall of the palace. Here each Joseon ruler and his government were expected to handle state affairs in a diligent manner.
The hall was built to symbolize the sovereignty of Joseon’s rulers and has the most sumptuous and stately appearance among all the structures of the palace.
It was used as a venue for various royal and state events such as the coronation ceremonies of Joseon kings, cabinet meetings, receptions of foreign envoys and final state examinations.
The original Geunjeongjeon Hall was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion of 1592. The current hall was built in 1867.
2. Sujeongjeon Hall
Step out to the left of Geunjeongjeon Hall and you will come to a smaller hall.
This hall, Sujeongjeon, is the only surviving building of all the government offices built in the grounds of Gyeongbokgung and was built in 1867.
Most of the government offices built around Sujeongjeon were demolished by the Japanese colonial authority when it chose the palace as the venue for the Korean Product Promotion Fair held in 1915.
It is also significant as the palace grounds around Sujeongjeon once contained Jiphyeonjeon, the building where Hangeul, the Korean alphabet and writing system, was invented during the reign of King Sejong who reigned from 1418 to 1450.
3. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
Opposite from Sujeongjeon, set in a lake, is Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. This exquisite structure is an example of the fine Korean architecture at Gyeongbokgung.
It was used for state events such as royal banquets, receptions of foreign envoys, final state examinations and seasonal religious rituals.
It was originally a small pavilion before it was enlarged in 1412, when the man made pond surrounding it was also constructed..
However, the enlarged building was entirely destroyed by fire during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, and was not replaced by the current building until 1867.
4. Sajeongjeon Hall
Located behind the Geunjeongjeon Hall main hall is Sajeongieon Hall. This was where the council of Joseon’s rulers met. It was where they went about their everyday duties.
Joseon’s monarchs would hold daily morning assemblies with their highest-ranking officials, and lectures and sessions on state affairs at the Sajeongieon Hall
The current building was rebuilt in 1867.
5. Gangnyeongjeon Hall
Gangyneonjeon Hall served as the king’s living quarters and a private area in which the king slept and conducted his daily life.
The Joseon kings would use this area for reading, refreshments and unofficial meetings to discuss the state affairs with their cabinet members.
The original building was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion in 1592, and was restored in 1865. The new building was dismantled in 1917, and its components were used in the restoration of Huijeongdang Hall at Changdeokgung Palace.
The current Gangnyeongjeon building was only restored in 1995.
6. Gyotaejeon Hall
Gyotaejeon was the official residence of Joseon queen consorts whose duties included the management and supervision of roval household affairs related with all female members of the royal court.
The hall was originally built in 1440 but was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion in 1592, and was rebuilt in 1867.
Just like the adjacent Gangnyeongjeon Hall, the restored building was dismantled in 1917 to provide building materials for Daejojeon Hall at Changdeokgung Palace.
The cument Gyotaejeon hall was built in 1995.
Behind the hall is an elegant little garden called Amisan, which is widely admired for its fine terrace of flower beds and four chimneys. The chimneys are hexagonal and their walls are elaborately decorated with symbolic plants and animals such as crane, bat, phoenix, pine, vine, Korean apricot, chrysanthemum, herb of immortality, rocks, bird and deer.
7. Donggung
Donggung (the East Palace) was the official residence of the crown princes of the Joseon Dynasty.
Its location in the eastern part of the royal palace was deliberately chosen as it signified that the crown prince was destined to succeed to the throne like the sun rising from the east.
This building was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion in 1592, and was not rebuilt until 1867.
The restored palace building was then demolished by the Japanese colonial authority under the pretext that the Korean Product Promotion Fair being held on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.
The current Donggung buildings are amongst the newest at Gyeongbokgung Palace as they were only rebuilt in 1999.
8. Sojubang Kitchen
The sojubang was the main kitchen of Gyeongbokgung in which food was prepared and cooked for its royal residents.
The kitchen is made up of three units:
- the naesojubang (inner kitchen) where daily meals were prepared for Joseon kings and their consorts,
- the oesojubang (outer kitchen) which was in charge of preparing special dishes for roval banquets and ceremonies, and
- the saengmulbang (confectionary) where teacakes, porridge, and rice cakes were made for the king.
The original kitchen was demolished during the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945). The current Royal kitchen buildings are amongst the newest at the palace, only having been restored in 2015.
9. Jagyeongjeon Hall
Jagyeongjeon Hall was built in 1867 for Queen Sinjeong during the renovation of Gyeongbokgung. King Gojong who reigned from 1863 to 1907 bestowed the palace building to the queen, his adoptive mother, as a special gift to thank her for the role she played in his enthronement.
The building was later burnt down and was rebuilt in 1888.
Jagyeongjeon is most famous for its lavishly decorated chimney projecting from its rear wall. The front middle face of the chimney is decorated with a design of the sipjangsaeng, the ten symbols of longevity, while its upper and lower parts feature other creatures, such as a crane and a bulgasari (i.e. iron-eating imaginary animal) among others, symbolizing longevity and protection from evil.
10. Hyangwonjeong Pavilion & Gonnyeonghap Palace
Hyangwonjeong Pavilion can be found in the middle of Hyangwonji Pond at the northern garden of Gyeongbokgung. Together with the pond and the islet on which it stands, the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is a picture perfect scene.
Adjacent to the north of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is Geoncheonggung Palace, a palace within a palace.
Built in 1873, Geoncheonggung consisted of Jangandang, which served as a residence of King Gojong (r. 1863-1907), Gonnyeonghap and Okhoru, which were used by his queen consort, Queen Myeongseong, and other associated facilities. In 1895
Gonnyeonghap Palace was the scene of the tragic Eulmi Incident where Queen Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese assassins. The palace was demolished in 1909 and replaced by an art gallery by the Japanese colonial authority in 1939.
The current buildings were restored in 2007.
11. Jibokjae Hall
Located close to Sinmumun, the north gate of Gyeongbokgung, Jibokjae Hall and Hyeopgildang Hall were originally built as separate residences in the Changdeokgung Palace.
The buildings were relocated to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1891 and used as the king’s library and as a reception room for foreign envoys. The building features Chinese architectural style as shown by the brick walls on both sides and is connected to Parujeong Pavilion and Hyeopgildang Hall by corridors.
12. Taewonieon Hall
Taeworrieon is thought to have been built in 1868 and enshrined with the portraits of King Taejo who reigned from 1392 to 1398) and King Wonjong. It was used as a coffin depository following the death of Queen Sinjeong in 1890 and Queen Myeongseong in 1895.
That building was demolished during the Japanese occupation of 1910 to 1945 and the current building was restored in 2005.
Useful Information for Visiting Gyeongbokgung
Opening Hours
March to May and September to October: 9 am to 6 pm. Last admission at 5 pm
June to August: 9 am to 6.30 pm. Last admission at 5.30 pm
November to February: 9 am to 5 pm. Last admission at 4 pm
Admission Fees
Rates for Koreans:
Adults (25 to 64) – KRW 3,000, or KRW 2,400 (if in groups of ten or more)
Seniors (over 65) – Free
Juniors (under 24) – Free
Rates for Non-Koreans:
Adults (19 to 64) – KRW 3,000, or KRW 2,400 (if in groups of ten or more)
Seniors (over 65) – Free
Juniors (7 to 18) – KRW 1,500, or KRW 1,200 (if in groups of ten or more)
Children (under 6) – Free
Visitors who are eligible for free admission are still required to get a free admission ticket from the ticket office.
Free Guided Tours
The Gyeongbokgung Palace Management Office offers free guided tours in Korean, English and various other languages. The deepature point is in front of the Gyeongbokgung Information Office at Heungnyemun Gate.
Each Gyeongbokgung Palace tour lasts for around one to one-and-a-half hours.
Check for the detailed information online.
Changing of the Palace Guard Ceremony
Watch at the square inside of Gwanghwwamun Gate at 10 am and 2 pm.
Gate Guard Duty Performance
Watch it outside of Gwanghwamun Gate at 11 am and 1 pm.
While at the palace, you will also want to pay a visit to the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum of Korea. You can may also enjoy reading our tips for visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace.
