When you plan to go to Korea, a number of actions make it onto practically each journey itinerary. Certainly one of these actions is to go to Myeongdong, whereas one other is to soak up the sights at Namsan Tower. Nonetheless, a extra conventional exercise is to discover the grounds of certainly one of Korea’s many palaces.
Most travellers will go to one of many 5 Grand Palaces in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung are all positioned across the capital, every with its personal highlights. For instance, Changdeokgung incorporates a gorgeous secret backyard, whereas Changgyeonggung has a botanical backyard you wouldn’t anticipate to stumble throughout in a palace!
Whereas there’s a vary of different historic buildings discovered throughout the peninsula (temples and fortresses are particularly widespread), most palaces, and all the Grand Palaces are positioned inside Seoul as this was the capital in the course of the Joseon Dynasty; on the time, it was referred to as Hanseong or Hanyang, however these are names for what we name modern-day Seoul.
Since these palaces are such an essential a part of Korean historical past, I like to recommend staying in Seoul lengthy sufficient to take a look at at the least one Korean palace. Whereas the fashionable aspect of Seoul has virtually limitless points of interest, the nation additionally has a wealthy historical past and tradition that everybody ought to study at the least somewhat about. Nonetheless, that begs the query: How do you choose only one to go to in case you’re time-constrained?
In fact, if attainable, the very best reply is to go to each palace you could. Sadly, it’s typically not that straightforward as a result of travelling typically comes with time limitations. On this case, what palace is the very best to go to? Whereas many will give the plain reply (Gyeongbokgung because it’s the most important and most well-known palace in Korea), I don’t consider it’s this easy. Whereas the opposite palaces could not get the identical consideration as Gyeongbokgung, they’re all distinctive with completely different points of interest.
Though many individuals go to the palaces to take images and discover, there may be additionally no higher place to study a bit about Korean historical past and traditions than at certainly one of these palaces. They’re properly signposted and defined, and lots of characteristic museums inside or close by. On high of this, they’re all positioned in historically-important areas with a variety of different conventional points of interest.
So, in case you’re questioning what Korean palace you must go to (or in case you already know which palace you wish to go to however are searching for additional info), learn on! On this publish, I’ll cowl every little thing it’s essential to find out about Korean palaces, together with how one can get free entry and which hidden points of interest are most price visiting. With that mentioned, let’s get began!
Why You Ought to Go to a Palace in Korea
Though I’ve already alluded to a few of them, there are numerous explanation why you must go to at the least one palace throughout your journey to Korea. Whether or not you’re interested by Korean historical past and tradition or not, each traveller ought to study a bit in regards to the nation and its traditions.
To Study About Korean Historical past
There are 3 ways most travellers study a bit in regards to the nation whereas visiting: museums, palaces, and temples. Whereas museums arguably comprise probably the most info, some travellers discover them tedious or too time-consuming. If so, the palaces of Korea are your subsequent most suitable choice.
Not solely do you study loads about Korea (particularly in case you discover them as a part of a tour), however you get to take images and discover alongside the way in which. This additionally makes exploring the palaces a much more entertaining strategy to discover Korean historical past and tradition.
When you go to Gyeongbokgung Palace, you’ll discover that there’s additionally a museum positioned throughout the palace grounds. Whereas that is totally non-compulsory, it’s a good way to increase your studying whereas additionally navigating your approach across the palace.
It’s price noting at this level that even in case you’ve travelled all through Asia and visited palaces earlier than, Korea has a singular tradition that has remained distinct for 1000’s of years. Whereas the palaces are based mostly on Chinese language rules, they’re distinctive, and also you gained’t discover something comparable outdoors of the nation.
They’re Lovely (Excellent for Images!)
One more reason why the palaces of Korea are price visiting is solely that they’re lovely. The palaces have conventional structure, and whereas many have been rebuilt over time resulting from disasters equivalent to fires and wars, they nonetheless really feel like they’re straight out of the Joseon Dynasty.
When you can nonetheless discover this structure in different places round Korea, there’s nowhere else you could see the size which you’ll discover within the palaces (particularly the bigger ones equivalent to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung). Since they’re so expansive, in addition they home an awesome number of gorgeous picture places.
I used to work as a photographer, and my most important shoppers had been travellers to Korea who wished distinctive journey images. I at all times suggest the palaces, and after spending many days at Gyeongbokgung, I can say with certainty that you simply’ll have the ability to take some gorgeous and distinctive images there.
If you wish to make your images much more memorable and distinctive, take into account hiring hanbok for your self and your loved ones or associates. Since these outfits can solely be present in Korea, you’ll not solely have some very particular journey images, however they’ll be thematically appropriate with one of many Korean palaces as your backdrop. In fact, hanbok can be lovely and properly price sporting whatever the picture alternatives!
For The Different Points of interest
The ultimate motive I like to recommend visiting the palaces is that they typically produce other points of interest than the palaces themselves. For instance, Gyeongbokgung Palace has a ceremony for altering the guards all through the day. Whereas this demonstration lasts just for a minute or two, it’s price witnessing in case you’re planning a go to on the proper time.
One other instance is the ‘secret’ backyard in Changdeokgung. When you can’t freely discover the backyard (you will have to be a part of a tour to discover this a part of the palace), there are guides taking teams via the backyard at sure instances of the day. The backyard is gorgeous, and one of many explanation why I’ve written an article discussing why I like to recommend visiting Changdeokgung Palace as an alternative of Gyeongbokgung.
When you’re nonetheless deciding if visiting a Korean palace is deserving of a spot in your itinerary, I extremely suggest that you simply discover the time. There are such a lot of causes to go to the palaces of Korea, and also you’ll be lacking out in case you don’t go to at the least one.
Palace Visiting Suggestions
Free Entry
There are 3 ways to get free entry into the 5 grand palaces in Seoul. The primary technique is to rent and put on hanbok, Korea’s conventional clothes. This clothes may be employed from a mess of shops across the palaces and might value as little as 10,000 KRW per hour.
Hanbok is on the market in males’s and girls’s kinds, and additionally, you will have the ability to discover kids’s outfits obtainable. Whereas every retailer could have completely different outfits obtainable, they’re all vibrant and chic. The very best half? Most rental shops will allow you to select your outfit, which means you’ll be able to choose your individual color scheme and equipment.
Hiring hanbok shouldn’t be solely a strategy to save somewhat on the palace entrance payment, but it surely’s additionally a good way to expertise the palaces in a really distinctive approach. You’ll really feel such as you’re residing within the Joseon Dynasty! In fact, you’ll additionally get the very best footage in case you resolve to put on Hanbok to the palaces.
The second technique for getting free entry into the palaces is much less well-known, and it requires a bit extra planning. When you occur to be in Korea on a (main) public vacation, the palaces will open up and admit everybody at no cost. In fact, in case your vacation doesn’t overlap with a public vacation, this gained’t work out, but it surely’s a good selection if the 2 coincide!
Whereas the palaces will admit guests at no cost on a number of days all year long, the very best holidays to go to are Chuseok and Seollal. These are three-day holidays that are mixed with weekends to kind a five-day vacation, they usually usually fall in February/March and September/October.
In fact, relying on the general public vacation you select to go to throughout crowds could also be loopy. Nonetheless, that is another excuse I like to recommend Chuseok and Seollal – throughout lately, most locals will probably be with their households, and even the variety of vacationers doesn’t appear to be any greater than regular. This makes these two Korean holidays very best instances to go to!
The ultimate technique for getting free entry into the Korean Palaces is to go to on a Wednesday! Effectively… The final Wednesday of any month. That is one other little-known secret, but when your vacation occurs to fall close to the tip of the month, this is likely to be a deal you need to make the most of!
Timing is every little thing
Whenever you go to the palaces on a given day, timing is essential for a number of causes. Firstly, the time you go to will considerably influence the variety of different guests you encounter. Since main palaces equivalent to Gyeongbokgung are huge points of interest, crowds can enormously alter your expertise.
I used to do pictures on the palaces, and in complete, I might estimate I’ve visited the palaces over 100 instances. In any case these visits, I discovered that the morning is your good friend – get there as near opening time as attainable, and you’ll keep away from many of the crowds. From midday till closing, the palaces will probably be packed and getting good footage with out unintentional photo-bombers will probably be tough.
Secondly, timing is essential as a result of the bigger palaces will typically have occasions that happen at solely sure instances. For instance, at Gyeongbokgung, you’ll be able to witness the altering of the guards at sure instances all through the day. At Changdeokgung, you gained’t have the ability to go to the key backyard with no tour, and the excursions solely function at sure intervals. For that reason, it’s essential to plan forward!
Lastly, the palaces will cease admitting guests an hour earlier than closing. When you’ll doubtless need greater than an hour within the palaces (particularly the bigger ones) anyway, it’s essential to maintain this in thoughts as you would possibly in any other case be turned away.
Take a Tour
Whereas exploring the palace grounds by yourself definitely has its attraction (that is my favorite strategy to discover them!), there are additionally many bonuses to taking a tour via the palace of your alternative.
The largest profit to having a tour information is that it is possible for you to to study loads that you simply in any other case in all probability would have by no means recognized. The tour guides are extremely educated, and relying on the tour you select, these may be a good way to study extra in regards to the historical past behind every palace.
On high of this, some excursions offers you entry into areas that you simply in any other case wouldn’t have the ability to go to. For instance, the Secret Backyard in Changdeokgung Palace requires a tour information for entry, and this backyard is a spotlight of the palace. In these instances, being a part of a tour is your solely possibility for exploring the palace.
When you aren’t a fan of group excursions like me, don’t fear! There are additionally many non-public excursions obtainable at extra inexpensive charges than you may think. By checking web sites equivalent to Klook and Trazy, you’ll be able to virtually at all times discover an inexpensive tour, lots of that are non-public!
Palaces in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung
Entrance Charge: 3000 KRW | 1500 KRW for kids
Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm/6 pm/6:30 pm (relying on the month)
Closed Days: Tuesdays
Closest Subway Station: Gyeongbokgung Station/Gwanghwamun Station
Points of interest: Altering of the guard and Nationwide People Museum of Korea
Gyeongbokgung Palace is by far probably the most well-known palace in Seoul, and it’s the palace that I might guess 90% of holiday makers to Korea who go to a palace go to. The palace is positioned in Gwanghwamun, a central district in Seoul with many embassies and consulates.
Gyeongbokgung is probably the most visited palace in Seoul for a number of causes. Firstly, it’s extremely handy to go to because it’s serviced by not one however two subway stations (Gyeongbokgung and Gwanghwamun stations). On high of this, it’s a really huge palace with a variety of different points of interest, such because the Nationwide People Museum of Korea.
Since Gyeongbokgung is probably the most visited palace in Korea, it’s well-established and maintained. Attributable to this, numerous different points of interest have popped up round it, together with certainly one of my favorite streets in Seoul, which is lined with conventional cafes and eating places.
Gyeongbokgung may be very low cost to go to, and you’ll pay solely 3000 KRW entry per grownup. When you’re sporting a hanbok, this payment is waived. Whereas hanbok prices round 10,000 KRW per hour to lease, I extremely suggest renting it even with out the payment waiver. With this low cost, it turns into an much more tempting supply.
Whereas I really like Gyeongbokgung Palace, it’s not my favorite palace in Korea (that award goes to Changdeokgung). That is just because whereas Gyeongbokgung is huge (in case you have the time to discover, it goes far additional again than most guests realise), there may be comparatively little curiosity when you move the primary sections of the palace.
Nonetheless, this additionally means it’s excellent if you wish to take some improbable images with out being photobombed by crowds of holiday makers. Whereas the primary few sections of the palace are sometimes packed, you’ll shortly discover areas not frequented by different guests as quickly as you discover. This makes it the right place to discover in case you’re searching for some gorgeous images!
Many travellers will dedicate a morning or afternoon to Gyeongbokgung. Whereas you will have three or 4 hours to discover the entire palace (together with the folks museum and maybe a drink on the cafe throughout the palace grounds), you’ll be able to soak up an important sights and scenes in a few hours. Nonetheless, since Gyeongbokgung stands in such an interesting a part of Seoul, I like to recommend dedicating at the least a morning or afternoon to the realm. This can permit you additionally to discover Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, and even perhaps one other close by palace!
When you’re trying to take a look at probably the most well-known points of interest in Seoul, this palace ought to completely be in your listing – particularly if you wish to see the altering of the guards or try the Nationwide People Museum of Korea. However, in case you’re trying to take gorgeous images or keep away from crowds, I like to recommend one of many different palaces in Seoul.
Changdeokgung
Entrance Charge: 3000 KRW | Free for kids
Opening Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm/5 pm/5:30 pm/6 pm/6:30 pm (relying on the month)
Closed Days: Mondays
Closest Subway Station: Anguk Station
Points of interest: Secret Backyard (have to be a part of a tour)
Changdeokgung is the second most well-known of the 5 Grand Palaces in Seoul. Positioned a brief stroll from Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung is a considerably smaller palace that draws far fewer guests than its bigger counterpart. With that mentioned, don’t anticipate it to be empty, because it nonetheless attracts its justifiable share of native and worldwide travellers.
Equally to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace has gone via many eras. Initially accomplished in 1412, the palace was burnt down in 1592 earlier than being reconstructed in 1609. Solely 13 years later, the palace was burnt down once more. Its present kind is, sadly, solely a shadow of its former self, as solely round 30% of the unique palace nonetheless stands resulting from damages brought about in the course of the Japanese occupation of Korea.
Nonetheless, regardless of solely round 30% of the unique palace nonetheless standing at this time, Changdeokgung is a surprising palace and my private favorite for images. Whereas all 5 palaces have their very own magnificence, Changdeokgung has at all times stood out to me as probably the most lovely. Maybe that is simply my opinion, however I’ve at all times loved exploring Changdeokgung probably the most out of the 5 palaces.
Changdeokgung Palace’s greatest attraction in addition to the palace itself is the ‘secret’ backyard positioned on the rear of the palace. Whereas it’s a secret by title solely, the backyard is usually neglected by travellers who both don’t realise it’s there or go to on the incorrect instances (as a tour information is required to enter the backyard).
Initially, this backyard was meant just for the royal household. It comprises a surprising lotus pond, giant, landscaped lawns, and many alternative species of vegetation and bushes. Whereas the times of personal use are actually behind the backyard, it’s nonetheless properly maintained and sorted, making it price visiting in case you get the possibility.
One more reason to go to Changdeongung is its improbable location. Not solely is Gyeongbokgung inside strolling distance, however you’ll be able to simply lease a hanbok within the close by streets of Insadong or Bukchon Hanok Village. Every of those streets additionally homes a wide range of different points of interest that would simply take a day to discover.
Changgyeonggung
Entrance Charge: 1000 KRW | 800 KRW for kids
Opening Hours: 9 am – 9 pm
Closed Days: Mondays
Closest Subway Station: Hyehwa Station
Points of interest: Grand Greenhouse
Changgyeonggung Palace shares the same historical past with Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces. Initially constructed and expanded within the mid-Fifteenth century and 1483, the palace was partially destroyed a number of instances by Japanese invasions and occupations.
Whereas Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung get many of the consideration from travellers resulting from their in depth grounds and well-maintained buildings, Changgyeonggung Palace is usually neglected regardless of being inside strolling distance of the 2 extra well-known palaces.
Nonetheless, regardless of being the least well-known of those palaces, Changgyeonggung Palace has points of interest that make it properly price visiting. On high of this, it’s additionally far much less crowded than Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, making it very best for images and exploring.
Maybe the most important attraction of Changgyeonggung and one of many key causes it’s price visiting as an alternative of (or alongside) the bigger palaces in Seoul is the breathtaking greenhouse you will see that positioned throughout the palace grounds. The Grand Greenhouse is a greenhouse initially constructed over 100 years in the past.
The Grand Greenhouse is expansive; inside, you will see that a whole bunch if not 1000’s of vegetation of various species. Whereas the greenhouse feels a bit misplaced amongst the in any other case traditional-feeling structure of the palace, it’s a hidden gem and one thing I by accident stumbled throughout a number of years in the past. Evidently, I used to be thrilled with what I believed on the time was fairly the discover!
When you’re deciding between palace gardens and don’t know whether or not to go to Changdeokgung’s Secret Backyard or Changgyeonggung’s Grand Greenhouse, I might suggest each. They’re each very distinctive and really completely different of their appeals. Nonetheless, in case you can solely go to one, it comes right down to in case you choose the out of doors model of a homely backyard or an indoor botanical backyard really feel.
Deoksugang
Entrance Charge: 1000 KRW | 500 KRW for kids
Opening Hours: 9 am – 9 pm
Closed Days: Mondays
Closest Subway Station: Metropolis Corridor Station
Points of interest: Altering of the Guard ceremony
Deoksugung Palace is the second smallest of the 5 Grand Palaces in Seoul, so it’s typically neglected within the face of the bigger and extra in style palaces. Nonetheless, the small dimension is certainly one of its biggest appeals – it’s straightforward to discover and feels extra homely than the extra immense palaces, a few of that are really huge.
Though it’s hardly shocking to say this anymore, Deoksugung Palace can be inside strolling distance of Gyeongbokgung Palace and the opposite palaces. As you would possibly have the ability to inform by now, whereas completely different palaces held energy at completely different instances, the facility of the Joseon Dynasty was at all times consolidated in a single space.
Deoksugung is a singular palace as a result of it has a extra Western affect than the opposite close by palaces. King Gojong was a king in the course of the late Joseon Dynasty who resided at Deoksugung throughout his reign. Being open to Western tradition, he constructed some buildings in a Western-style and even put in electrical lights within the palace.
Equally to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace has a altering of the guard ceremony, which takes place a number of instances all through the day. Whereas the entrance gate isn’t as giant as Gyeongbokgung’s, and the ceremony doesn’t have fairly the identical really feel, it’s completely price watching in case you’re visiting on the proper instances.
Regardless of being the smallest of the 5 Grand Palaces, Deoksugung has its attraction, and whereas it isn’t my favorite palace in Seoul (that award nonetheless goes to Changdeokgung), I’ve at all times loved my visits to this palace as a result of it’s so distinctive. Whereas the opposite palaces really feel very conventional and straight out of the Joseon Dynasty, Deoksugung combines conventional Korea and fashionable Korea.
Gyeonghuigung
Entrance Charge: Free
Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Closed Days: Mondays and January 1st
Closest Subway Station: Gyeongbokgung Station/Gwanghwamun Station
Points of interest: Seoul Museum of Historical past and Seoul Museum of Artwork
The fifth and last of Seoul’s 5 Grand Palaces is the least talked about and the one you will see that the fewest individuals visiting. Whereas it nonetheless carries a lot of the attraction of the bigger palaces, it’s typically neglected resulting from its small dimension and fewer touristy location.
Equally to all the opposite palaces, Gyeonghuigung is positioned close to Gwanghwamun, and it’s inside strolling distance of the extra outstanding and well-known palaces. Nonetheless, to go to this palace, you will see that your self strolling away from the touristy areas and, as such, this palace is the least visited of the 5.
Sadly, the palace additionally shares the identical historical past as many of the different Grand Palaces of Seoul, which means it was burnt down and rebuilt a number of instances over the previous centuries. When you wouldn’t realise this (because the palace has been expertly restored), most of what you see isn’t the unique building.
To incentivise individuals to go to, and maybe due to the palace’s comparatively small dimension, Gyeonghuigung at all times has free entrance – no matter whether or not you might be sporting a hanbok or visiting on a public vacation. This makes it an awesome palace to go to in case you occur to be within the space for wherever motive.
Regardless of being small, Gyeonghuigung nonetheless has a number of halls that had been utilized by the royals and for council conferences. When you can’t enter these halls (equally to the opposite palaces), you’ll be able to go as much as the door and see contained in the rooms and get a really feel as to what they might’ve appeared like after they had been in energetic use.
Gyeongguigung additionally homes each the Seoul Museum of Historical past and one wing of the Seoul Museum of Artwork. When you’re trying to have a well-rounded cultural expertise, these two points of interest make Gyeonghuigung Palace an awesome place to go to. Whereas I wouldn’t suggest making this palace the one one you go to throughout your journey, it’s an awesome addition to go to Gyeonghuigung alongside a bigger palace.
Though many travellers and locals alike overlook Gyeonghuigung Palace, there are some causes to go to. Maybe most significantly, it’s an awesome palace to go to if you wish to keep away from the crowds. Equally to the opposite less-trafficked palaces, this makes it the perfect spot for images – particularly in case you resolve to rent a hanbok and discover the palace grounds.
