Explore the Royal Gyeongbokgung Palace - Palace of Serene Happiness

If you want to admire the ancient beauty and learn about the history and traditional customs of the land of kimchi, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the ideal destination for you. This article will provide useful information to make your experience enjoyable. Let's find out!

1. Introduction to Gyeongbokgung

Built-in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace (Palace of Serene Happiness) symbolizes blessings for the king, descendants, and the entire nation of Korea. Gyeongbokgung Palace is located at 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, covering an area of 400,000m², surrounded by the majestic mountains Bugaksan and Namsan. The entrance fee is 3,000 Won for adults (19-64 years old), while children under 18 and seniors over 65 can enter for free.

Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace to explore the unique cultural heritage of Korea.

2. Discovering Gyeongbokgung Palace

The Palace of Serene Happiness combines the traditional architecture of the Joseon Dynasty with ancient Chinese style. To make the most of your visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace, familiarize yourself with the following areas:

2.1. Palace Areas

With an area of 400,000m², the Palace of Serene Happiness is divided into five areas: Gwanghwamun Gate, Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, and the Royal Banquet Hall. Gwanghwamun Gate and Geunjeongjeon Hall are located on the main axis, while the remaining three areas are asymmetrical.

2.2. National Palace Museum of Korea

The National Palace Museum preserves the most outstanding cultural beauty of the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It consists of five main areas: document and symbol preservation, religious activity reproduction, architectural structure preservation, scientific achievements, and a reproduction of Joseon Dynasty palace life.

2.3. National Folk Museum of Korea

The Folk Museum replicates the daily lives and common items of the Korean people throughout the ages. When visiting the Folk Museum, you will witness over 400 artifacts that provide a deeper understanding of the traditional culture of the people.

The National Folk Museum focuses on over 400 daily-use artifacts of the Korean people.

3. How to Get to Gyeongbokgung Palace

To reach the royal Gyeongbok Palace, you need to go through two main stages:

3.1. From Vietnam to Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace is located in the center of Seoul, South Korea. Therefore, you need to book a flight from Vietnam to Incheon International Airport to reach Seoul. To get the best flight prices to South Korea from Vietjet, visit https://www.vietjetair.com/en/flights/flights-to-southkorea/ today!

3.2. Transportation to Gyeongbokgung Palace

Upon arriving in Seoul, return to your pre-booked hotel for rest and preparation. Then, you can move to Gyeongbokgung Palace using popular means of transportation such as:

Taxi: The fastest and most convenient way to travel, but consider the relatively high taxi prices in Seoul.
Subway: Take subway line 3 and get off at Gyeongbokgung Station exit 5. Alternatively, you can take subway line 5, exit at Gwanghwamun Station exit 2, and walk about 10 minutes to reach the Palace of Serene Happiness.
Bicycle: If your accommodation is near Gyeongbokgung, you can use a bicycle to explore the beautiful streets of Seoul and save costs.
Private Car Rental: This option includes a private driver and an online tour guide (if needed), allowing you to experience the journey without worrying about transportation.

4. Best Time to Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace

The ideal time to fully appreciate the beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace is during spring and autumn. If you want to witness the blooming cherry blossoms throughout the streets of Seoul, it's best to visit Gyeongbokgung in spring (March - May). For those who appreciate the ancient charm of Gyeongbokgung with the red and yellow hues of autumn leaves, the fall season (September - November) is the perfect time to explore the Palace of Serene Happiness.

Experience the ancient beauty adorned with red and yellow when visiting Gyeongbokgung in autumn.

5. Experiences at Gyeongbokgung Palace

The royal Gyeongbok Palace boasts a vast area with numerous attractions and fascinating activities. Therefore, you can note the following exciting activities to have a wonderful experience when visiting Gyeongbokgung.

5.1 Explore Unique Architecture

Gyeongbokgung is constructed with five colors: green, red, white, black, and gold, creating a unique and majestic beauty. Inside the Gyeongbok Palace, it is divided into the main palace area, the resting area, and the grand activity area, leaving you awe-inspired during your visit.

5.2 Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Gates

Around 11 AM daily, the changing of the guard ceremony takes place at Gwanghwamun or Gyeongbokgung Palace gate, lasting for 15 minutes, reenacting the ancient guard-changing activity within the palace. This ceremony occurs once every hour, with the last session at 3:30 PM.

5.3 Rent Hanbok for Photos

Right at the entrance, you can rent traditional Hanbok costumes to capture exquisite photos in the historical setting of Gyeongbokgung Palace. This activity is a must when visiting any tourist spot in Korea, especially Gyeongbokgung.

Check-in at the Palace of Serene Happiness

When at Gyeongbokgung, don't miss the Hanbok rental activity and check-in at various corners for unique photos!

5.4 Enjoy Royal Cuisine

You can experience Gyeongbokgung's royal cuisine by moving to the Sojubang dining room to enjoy Susarang. Here, you can indulge in the twelve daily dishes served in the meals of the Korean kings from the Joseon era.

6. Important Notes for Gyeongbokgung Palace Visit

Traveling to another country for sightseeing and experiences may present some challenges. Therefore, remember the following notes to plan meticulously for your Gyeongbokgung Palace tour:

Book flight tickets and accommodation 1 - 2 months in advance.
Hanbok rental may require a passport or personal identification.
Changing of the guard ceremony occurs from 11 AM to 3:30 PM daily, every last 15 minutes of each hour.
If you wish to have a free guided tour, you can visit Gyeongbokgung at 11 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM for English, and 2:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays for Vietnamese.
Smoking is prohibited within the royal Gyeongbok Palace.
Bringing dogs, cats, or other animals into the Palace of Serene Happiness is not allowed.
The palace is open from 9 AM to 6 PM and closed on Tuesdays.
Museums within the palace are closed on Mondays.

Be conscious of maintaining general hygiene to preserve the beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

With its majestic and ancient beauty, Gyeongbokgung Palace promises to be an ideal destination that allows you to explore, experience, and learn more about the history and traditional culture of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. If you intend to visit Korea in the near future, Gyeongbokgung Palace will undoubtedly make your journey more interesting and meaningful!

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