Like many visitors to Seoul, you may have a visit to the Gyeongbokgung Palace in the plans. The National Palace Museum of Korea is one of two free museums at the palace that you can visit to learn more about life in Korea.
The museum has a collection of treasures from the Joseon dynasty, spread out over three floors of galleries. It provides a glimpse into royal life in Korea, its history, palace rituals and more.
National Palace Museum of Korea Entrance Fee
The National Palace Museum of Korea in Seoul is a free entry museum that is located at the freely accessible part of the palace grounds.
What to See within the National Palace Museum of Korea: The King’s Space
Upon entering the National Palace Museum of Korea, you can explore a gallery that traces back the history of the Joseon Dynasty.
At the first gallery, you will be greeted by The King’s Space, where a throne is placed surrounded by folding screen called as a Irworobongdo which represents the king’s authority.
The lives of Korean royals, like King Sukjong, are outlined.
Also presented are the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, a chronicle of twenty-five reigns from King Taejo to King Cheojong. The Annals space over 1,700 volumes!
You can also learn about the Joseon Dynasty’s Way of Kings, a Confucian ideology for the way that kings should rule using benevolence and virtue. This was the basis for the code of law and the government.
Joseon Palaces
The National Palace Museum of Korea also offers a look at all the royal palaces in Seoul, not just Gyeongbokgung Palace.
The palaces served as the center of politics and for governing, in addition to being the living spaces for the royal family. Their history stretches from the late 1300s till the 1900s.
Besides Gyeongbokgung Palace, the other palaces around Seoul include Changdeokgung Palace, Canggyeonggung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace and Deoksugung Palace.
There is a detailed plan of Gyeongbokgung Palace and show how the major buildings were built around the Geunjeongjeon Hall and follow a central axis.
On display are some of the roof decorations that are meant to serve as protectors of the buildings. They are a chance to get a close-up look at these figures which are normally high up on top of the roofs.
There are also other artifacts that show what royal court life was like in the palaces.
The Korean Empire & the Modern Era
One floor below, the galleries at the National Palace Museum of Korea move to the more modern era and also offer a look at the Korean empire.
It depicts the efforts that the Joseon dynasty made to modernize itself. Western-style furniture and amenities starts to make an appearance around the palace. Electricity was introduced and living quarters took on a more Western style.
If you look closely, many of the imported ceramics on display at the National Palace Museum of Korea is decorated with plum flowers, a symbol of the Korean imperial household.
The ceramics were used when welcoming foreign envoys as Korea entered into modern treaties with foreign countries.
Also on display at are the cars used by royalty.
Art & Science
The lowest floor of the National Palace Museum of Korea takes a look at art and science in the Joseon royal court.
On display are court paintings that were created by court painters. Many of these are based on symbolism or specific functions rather than as a medium of individual creative expression.
Another gallery dives into the scientific achievements of the Joseon dynasty. One of the fields where there was a lot of attention given to was that of astronomy. The royal court produced a variety of astronomical instruments and they also reorganized the calendar systems. There was a Bureau of Astronomy within the Joseon royal court that was set up to oversee the various projects.
On display at the National Palace Museum of Korea are various artifacts including a water clock. This time keeping devices makes use of the regulated flow of water within a vessel to keep track of the package of time.
A self-striking water clock was first created in 1434 under the order of King Sejong and installed within Gyeongbokgung Palace. It told the time by triggering a bell, a drum or a gong.
Water clocks were standard clocks that were used during the Joseon dynasty.
Royal Rituals of the Joseon Dynasty
Another interesting gallery focuses on the royal ceremonies of the Joseon Dynasty. These were based on Neo-confusion principles and for propriety, the king prescribed five modes of conduct: auspicious ceremonies, mourning, military reviews, welcoming foreign envoys and festive events.
Within the gallery, you can explore these royal rituals and how they played out within the royal court.
Visible Storage Area
Another interesting section at the lowest level of the National Palace Museum of Korea is a visible storage area. Here, you can get a behind the scenes peek into how the museum operates and stores it many treasures.
Children’s Museum at National Palace Museum of Korea
For families with young children, there is a children’s museum at the lowest level as well. This is a small space that has been designed for young children to sit down and have a break while at the museum.
Inside the entrance to the National Palace Museum of Korea’s Children’s Museum, there is a reading area with shelves of books. These books are in Korean.
Further in, there is another space with a little mezzanine level that kids can climb up.
A little activity desk has coloring sheets along with coloring instruments for kids. The low seats at the desk allow kids to sit at the desk and work on the various activity sheets, which are based on the treasures found within the museum.
Visiting the National Palace Museum of Korea
The National Palace Museum of Korea is an interesting and intriguing museum that provides a look into life within the royal court in the past.
It provides a comprehensive look at the Joseon dynasty, the palaces and the history tied to the Korean royals. You can easily spend a hour plus within the museum.
Where:
12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Website
You may also be interested to read about the National Folk Museum of Korea, the other free entry museum at Gyeongbokgung Palace.
