Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide: Tickets, Hours, Free Hanbok Entry & Guard Ceremony (Seoul)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
If you only have time for one palace in Seoul, make it Gyeongbokgung (경복궁). I am Jin, I live in Korea, and this is the palace I take friends to on their first day in the city. It was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, and it sits right in the middle of Seoul with Bugaksan mountain behind it. This guide covers everything a first-timer needs: tickets, free entry in hanbok, opening hours, the closing day, the royal guard ceremony, what to see in what order and how to get there. Hours and fees can change, so check the official site before you go.
Looking back at Gwanghwamun from the courtyard inside the palace. Photo: Jin from Korea
Gyeongbokgung Quick Facts
| Admission (foreigners 19–64) | ₩3,000 (₩2,400 each for groups of 10 or more) |
| Free entry | Foreigners 18 and under, visitors 65 and over, anyone wearing hanbok |
| Closed | Every Tuesday |
| Opening time | 09:00 all year |
| Last entry | 1 hour before closing (closing time changes by season) |
| Royal guard ceremony | 10:00 and 14:00 in front of Gwanghwamun (not on Tuesdays) |
| Nearest subway | Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 5 |
| Time needed | About 2 to 3 hours for the main halls |
Tickets and Free Entry in Hanbok
Ticket prices
A regular ticket for foreign adults aged 19 to 64 costs ₩3,000, and groups of 10 or more pay ₩2,400 each. Foreign visitors aged 18 and under and everyone aged 65 and over get in free, so bring your passport to prove your age. You buy tickets at the ticket office (매표소, maepyoso) in the big courtyard between Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun.
Free entry when you wear hanbok
Anyone wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, enters for free. Both traditional and modern everyday hanbok count. The official rule is that you need a matching top (jeogori) and bottom (a skirt or trousers). A long overcoat (durumagi) on its own does not count, and neither does a hanbok top with jeans or a hanbok skirt with a T-shirt. Rental shops line the streets near the palace, so you can change before you walk in. Rental prices differ by shop and outfit, so compare a few before you choose. Typical prices and what is included are in my hanbok rental guide.
If you want an outfit reserved before you arrive, Klook lists hanbok rentals near the palace that you can book in English.
Combined palace pass
If you plan to see more palaces, the Integrated Palace Ticket (궁궐 통합관람권) costs ₩6,000 and gives one entry each to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo Shrine. It is valid for 6 months from the day you buy it and is sold at the ticket offices of those sites. The Secret Garden tour at Changdeokgung is not included and needs its own ticket.
Heungnyemun, the second gate, with its painted eaves. Photo: Jin from Korea
Opening Hours and Closing Day
Gyeongbokgung opens at 09:00 every day except Tuesday. The closing time depends on the season, and the last entry is always one hour before closing. Staff start guiding visitors toward the exits about 30 minutes before closing time.
| Months | Hours | Last entry |
| January–February, November–December | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| March–May, September–October | 09:00–18:00 | 17:00 |
| June–August | 09:00–18:30 | 17:30 |
The palace is closed every Tuesday. When a Tuesday falls on a public holiday, the palace stays open and closes on the next day that is not a holiday instead. Many first-timers miss this, so plan another sight for Tuesday.
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony
The Changing of the Royal Guard (수문장 교대의식, sumunjang gyodae uisik) is a re-enactment of the Joseon guards handing over their watch at the main gate. Guards in bright traditional uniforms march with flags, drums and traditional weapons, and it is free to watch because it happens outside the ticket gate.
- Changing ceremony: 10:00 and 14:00, in front of Gwanghwamun
- Gate guard on duty: 11:00 and 13:00
- Not held: on Tuesdays, when the palace is closed
- Bad weather: heavy rain or snow can cancel the ceremony
My tip: arrive about 10 minutes early and stand along the rope line in front of Gwanghwamun. If you watch the 10:00 ceremony, you can walk straight in afterwards while the morning is still quiet.
What to See, in Order
Gyeongbokgung is big, and the layout is easiest if you walk straight north from the main gate and then loop around. This is the route I use.
1. Gwanghwamun (광화문), the main gate
Gwanghwamun is the grand front gate facing Gwanghwamun Square. Its three arches and big name plaque make it the classic first photo, and the guard ceremony happens right in front of it.
2. Heungnyemun (흥례문), the second gate
Walk through Gwanghwamun into the wide courtyard, buy your ticket, then pass through Heungnyemun. Look up at the painted eaves. The colorful patterns are called dancheong (단청), and you will see them on every palace building in Korea.
3. Geunjeongjeon (근정전), the throne hall
This is the heart of the palace and a National Treasure. Kings held major state ceremonies here, and officials lined up in the stone courtyard by rank. Peek inside to see the royal throne in front of the Irworobongdo screen, a painting of the sun, the moon and five peaks that stood behind the king.
The royal throne and the sun, moon and five peaks screen inside Geunjeongjeon. Photo: Jin from Korea
4. Gyeonghoeru (경회루), the pavilion on the pond
To the west of the throne hall sits my favorite spot: Gyeonghoeru, a large two-story pavilion standing on an artificial pond. The king held banquets for foreign envoys and officials here. On a calm day the whole pavilion reflects in the water, with the mountain behind it. The upper floor opens only during seasonal special tours, but the view from the pond's edge comes with your regular ticket.
Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and its reflection on the pond. Photo: Jin from Korea
5. The haetae statues
Look closely at the stone bridges leading to Gyeonghoeru. Small carved haetae (해태) sit on the railings. The haetae is a mythical lion-like creature believed to guard against fire and disaster, and it is now a symbol of Seoul.
A carved haetae on the stone bridge to Gyeonghoeru. Photo: Jin from Korea
6. Further north: Hyangwonjeong and the Folk Museum
If you still have energy, keep walking north to Hyangwonjeong (향원정), a small hexagonal pavilion on an island in a pond, reached by a wooden bridge. On the east side of the grounds is the National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관), which shows how ordinary Koreans lived. Its exhibitions are free.
Free Museums Next Door
The National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관) is a two-minute walk from Gyeongbokgung Station Exit 5, and admission is free. It displays real royal objects such as seals and royal carriages, so it is a great rainy-day add-on. It opens at 09:30, and it stays open until 21:00 on Saturdays. The National Folk Museum of Korea is also free and has its own entrance on the palace's east side.
How to Get There
- Subway Line 3: Gyeongbokgung Station (경복궁역), Exit 5. This exit brings you up right by the palace grounds and the National Palace Museum.
- Subway Line 5: Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역), Exit 2. Walk north through Gwanghwamun Square to the main gate in about 10 minutes.
- Taxi: Show the driver the Korean text 경복궁 가 주세요 (Please go to Gyeongbokgung) from the box below.
Tap in with a T-money card on the subway (see my T-money guide), and use Naver Map for walking directions, because Google Maps gives limited directions in Korea. I explain why in Google Maps vs Naver Map vs KakaoMap. For mobile data, my Korea eSIM guide shows the easiest way.
📍 Copy & Paste into Naver Map
Copy the Korean name into the Naver Map search bar, or tap a link to open it directly.
- 경복궁 (gyeongbokgung) — Gyeongbokgung Palace
- 경복궁역 (gyeongbokgung-yeok) — Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3)
- 광화문 (gwanghwamun) — Gwanghwamun Gate
- 국립고궁박물관 (gungnip-gogung-bangmulgwan) — National Palace Museum of Korea
Tips from a Local
- Go early. Arrive at 09:00 opening, or right after the 10:00 guard ceremony, before the big tour groups. Late afternoon is quieter too, but watch the last entry time.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The courtyards are covered in gravel and uneven stone, and you will walk a lot.
- Combine it with Bukchon. Walk east to Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) to see traditional houses. People still live there, so keep your voice down. My Bukchon and hanbok rental guide has the visiting hours.
- Or try Seochon. The quieter Seochon (서촌) neighborhood west of the palace has small cafes, galleries and local restaurants.
- Finish at Gwanghwamun Square. The square in front of the palace has the statues of King Sejong, who created Hangul, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin.
- Stay nearby. Jongno and Insadong are a short ride away. See my where to stay in Seoul guide.
📋 Copy & Paste Korean
Copy the Korean text into Papago, or show it on your phone to the staff or a taxi driver.
Words
- 매표소 (maepyoso) — ticket office
- 입장권 (ipjanggwon) — admission ticket
- 한복 (hanbok) — traditional Korean dress
- 화장실 (hwajangsil) — restroom
- 출구 (chulgu) — exit
- 입구 (ipgu) — entrance
Useful phrases
- 한 장 주세요. (han jang juseyo) — One ticket, please.
- 어른 두 장이요. (eoreun du jang-iyo) — Two adult tickets, please.
- 화장실 어디예요? (hwajangsil eodiyeyo?) — Where is the restroom?
- 경복궁 가 주세요. (gyeongbokgung ga juseyo) — Please go to Gyeongbokgung. (taxi)
- 경복궁역 5번 출구가 어디예요? (gyeongbokgung-yeok o-beon chulgu-ga eodiyeyo?) — Where is Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station?
FAQ
Is Gyeongbokgung closed on Tuesdays?
Yes. It is closed every Tuesday. When a Tuesday is a public holiday, the palace opens and closes on the next non-holiday instead.
Is entry really free if I wear hanbok?
Yes. Anyone in hanbok enters free, as long as you wear both a hanbok top and a hanbok bottom. A hanbok top with jeans does not count.
What time is the changing of the guard?
At 10:00 and 14:00 in front of Gwanghwamun, every day except Tuesday. Heavy rain or snow can cancel it.
How long should I spend at the palace?
Plan about 2 to 3 hours for the main route in this guide. Add an hour or more if you also visit the National Palace Museum or the Folk Museum.
Can I buy tickets online?
For regular daytime entry, you simply buy a ticket at the on-site ticket office, so there is no need to book ahead. Seasonal special programs, such as the Gyeonghoeru upper-floor tour, use online booking on the official site.
Where can I check for changes?
Hours, fees and ceremony schedules can change, so check the official Gyeongbokgung page by the Korea Heritage Service before your visit.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Gyeongbokgung is a perfect first morning in Seoul. To build the rest of your itinerary, start with my Korea trip planner for first-timers, which links every guide on this blog. If Busan is next on your list, my KTX booking guide for foreigners shows how to book the fast train from Seoul.
Comments
Post a Comment