Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the first palace of the Joseon Dynasty built in the new capital city of Hanyang
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Planning the visit
Gyeongbokgung Palace is stop 8 of 9 on the Royalty Route.
You will find the stamp at the Sarang Cafe, Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Admission is charged: Adults KRW 3,000 (free admission for visitors wearing Hanbok outfits).
The two closest stamp points are Changdeokgung Palace, 1.4 km away, and Jongmyo Shrine at 1.6 km. All three fit into one day.
Details
- Address
- 161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Stamp zone
- Sarang Cafe, Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Hours
- January~February: 09:00~17:00 March~May: 09:00~18:00 June~August: 09:00~18:30 September~October: 09:00~18:00 (Last admission 1 hour before closing / Closed every Tuesday)
- Admission
- Adults KRW 3,000 (free admission for visitors wearing Hanbok outfits)
- Phone
- 02-3700-3900
- Website
- www.royalpalace.go.kr
- Coordinates
- 37.57975, 126.97668
What the campaign says about it
King Taejo (Yi Seong-gye), who founded the Joseon Dynasty in 1392 CE, moved the capital from Gaegyeong to Hanyang in 1394 CE. In 1395 CE, the following year, he built Gyeongbokgung Palace, the first royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The Palace, which is located at the foot of Bugaksan Mountain in the north of Seoul, is known for its auspicious geography. Gwanghwamun Gate, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, was originally called Sajeongmun, but was renamed Gwanghwamun in 1425 CE (7th year of King Sejong). Inside this imposing Palatial Gate, which feels like a symbol of the royal family’s power and authority, there are several buildings where major national ceremonies were held and offices for the king and his advisors. One of the most important structures inside Gyeongbokgung Palace was Geunjeongjeon Hall (national treasure). Geunjeongjeon, which takes up the largest area inside Gyeongbokgung, used to host important ceremonies, and it served as a symbol of the royal family as well as the central point of the entire Palace. The living spaces for king and queen were located at the rear of the Palace, and Gyeonghoeru (national treasure) was built on a pond to the west of Gyeongbokgung. Gyeonghoeru, which was used for banquets, is not only beautiful in its own right, but it is also considered the most popular place in the Palace due in large part to the elegant way it blends in with the surrounding landscape. Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was burned down in 1592 CE during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 CE, was rebuilt under the leadership of Heungseon Daewongun in 1867 CE during the reign of King Gojong. The rebuilt Gyeongbokgung Palace was much larger than when it was first built in the 14th century. Unfortunately, most of the structures inside the Palace were demolished during the Japanese colonial period except for major buildings such as Geunjeongjeon Hall and some of the larger pavilions. However, the Korean government has been restoring the lost buildings, which means Gyeongbokgung Palace will soon be restored to its former glory. Although many buildings are still disappeared, Gyeongbokgung is an important relic in that it is a royal palace that still remains in its original site. Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace was the central building of the Palace, which served as the royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, where officials were granted an audience with the king, held national ceremonies, and welcomed foreign envoys. Multiple monarchs of the early Joseon Dynasty had their crowning ceremonies inside Geunjeongjeon Hall. The name “Geunjeong” means that the “nation will prosper as long as it is led by a diligent ruler.” Gyeonghoeru Pavilion Built on a pond to the northwest of Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion hosted banquets for national celebrations or when foreign dignitaries visited the Palace. When Gyeongbokgung Palace was first built, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion was on the smaller side. It grew in size when the pond was subsequently renovated. The Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 CE burned the Pavilion to the ground. Only the stone pillars remained for a few centuries, but in 1867 CE (4th year of King Gojong), Gyeonghoeru Pavilion was rebuilt when Gyeongbokgung Palace was fully restored.
Quoted from the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign.
Getting there
Get off at Gyeongbokgung Station on subway line no. 3 → Take exit no. 4 or no. 5, then walk for 3 minutes
Photographs
Photographs supplied by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation.