How To Visit Gyeonghuigung Palace In Seoul

Gyeonghuigung Palace is the least visited palace in Seoul and is not effectively regarded to most readers. It was designed to fulfill a prophecy that the internet site would deliver kings and all over heritage, 10 diverse kings identified as this elaborate household. This is the only royal palace in Seoul that’s totally free to stop by and it does not will need advanced tickets.

In this tutorial, we’re going to demonstrate you the highlights of Gyeonghuigung Palace which includes what you need to attempt to see through your go to.

Our Seoul Knowledge

Kristen discovering the beautiful walkways of Gyeonghuigung Palace

We expended 14 days exploring Seoul in March 2023. Through our journey, we individually visited Gyeonghuigung Palace as effectively as the 4 other royal palaces in Seoul. This is a single of the lesser recognised palaces in the metropolis, but you can stop by for free of charge.

The palace is situated next to the Seoul Museum of Historical past so you can very easily see equally in one day. We visited the palace first and then manufactured our way more than to the historical past museum. Our guide contains the highlights you should not miss out on inside Gyeonghuigung. Examine more about us.

Gyeonghuigung Palace History

Contemporary town properties can be see from within the palace grounds

Design of Gyeonghuigung Palace was accomplished in 1620 throughout the reign of Gwanghaegun, the 15th king of Joseon. It’s generally referred to as the western palace owing to its spot west of the key palace, Gyeongbokgung. 

This palace is exceptional since it displays the land that surrounds the full complicated. A popular painting regarded as Seogwoldoan portrays a sketch of the unique western palace illustrating these grounds when contained 190 properties and gates.

For the duration of the Japanese occupation, sadly quite a few buildings were being ruined to develop house for Gyeongseoung Middle University. Regrettably, Gyeonghuigung Palace was then minimized to half it’s authentic measurement. Soon after Korea’s liberation in 1946, Seoul Large College was created and remained on the site right until 1978.

It was not until finally 1985, the Seoul govt made a decision to rebuild a handful of properties on the palace grounds. Quite a few excavations have due to the fact been concluded and a few palace buildings have been absolutely restored which we can see nowadays.

Visitor Info

Inside look at of the Seoul Historical past Museum

Gyeonghuigung Palace is found in close proximity to the Seoul Museum of Historical past and the Gyeonghuigung Annex Building of the Seoul Museum of Art.

Tackle: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Locale: Google Maps

Below are the ideal subway stations for visiting:

Seodaemun Station (exit 4, line 5)

Gwanghwamun Station (exit 7, line 5)

The palace is open each day of the week from 9:00 to 18:00, besides on Monday when it is shut. Admission to Gyeonghuigung Palace is no cost for all guests generating this the only cost-free royal palace in Seoul.

But in contrast to other palaces in the city, there are no guided excursions available. So if you’re fascinated in having a tour of the intricate, this Evening Ghost Wander is extremely well-known.

6 Very best Things To Do In Gyeonghuigung Palace

As we talked about earlier, there are only 3 properties to see when checking out Gyeonghuigung Palace. Sadly, guests are not allowed to enter any of the structures, but you can appear inside of a number of constructions. Preserve in mind this elaborate is a representation of the primary palace.

Right here is what to see at Gyeonghuigung Palace:

1. Heunghwamun Gate

Kristen outside Heunghwamun Gate with vivid yellow daffodils in spring

The primary gate of Gyeonghuigung Palace is Heunghwamun Gate. It has formally been specified as a Cultural Heritage Site and this is the gate you will walk as a result of the enter the palace. If you want to get a image of a gate with out a lot of men and women, this is your opportunity.

The Heunghwamun Gate has an fascinating heritage since it was initially positioned future to the existing Salvation Army Heart struggling with the course of Jongno Avenue. Even so, it was then reconstructed as the major gate of Bakmunsa, a shrine to a Japanese common. But in 1988, Heunghwamun Gate was thoroughly restored and moved again to it’s present site.

Journey Idea: If you are traveling to in spring, be absolutely sure to continue to keep an eye out for stunning blooming bouquets in the vicinity of the entrance.

2. Geumcheongyo Bridge

Key entrance to Gyeonghuigung as witnessed from the street

Very similar to other palaces in Seoul, you’ll cross a bridge to enter the palace. The Geumcheongyo Bridge is a beautiful stone attribute which originally guide around a moat into the Gyeonghuigung Palace complicated soon after entering by Heunghwamun Gate.

Totally buried by Japanese occupation, a goblin was at the time prominent on the facet of the bridge to enable ward off evil spirits. But in 2001, the Seoul federal government aided to restore the sections of the bridge we can see these days.

Vacation Suggestion: There is also a Geumcheongyo Bridge at Changdeokgung Palace.

3. Sungjeongjeon Hall

Side profile of Sungjeongjeon Hall

Created in 1618, Sungjeongjeon Corridor is the main hall of Gyeonghuigung Palace. This is in which the kings would fulfill with subjects in the morning and arrange official events. In addition, the 20th King Gyeongjong, the 22nd King Jeongjo and the 24th King Heonjong all used this wonderful corridor for their inauguration ceremonies.

Sungjeongjeon Corridor was originally moved into Jogyesa Temple to avoid getting broken from the Japanese invasion. The corridor we see currently has been reconstructed by the Korean federal government on the first website.

Stone markers direct the entire way to Sungjeongjeon Hall

Travel Tip: The stone markers major up to the corridor indicated a specific formal rank and people would stand up coming to their corresponding mark through royal rituals.

4. Jajeongjeon Hall

This colorful constructing was made use of as the king’s private residing space. In Jajeongjeon Hall, the king would keep meetings and supervise academic competitions. Sad to say, the original setting up was demolished by Imperial Japan and the creating we see these days has been restored according to historic sketches.

5. Taeryeongjeon Hall

Never miss out on the exceptional layered roof in this Seoul palace

1 of the most special properties tucked away in the back again corner of Gyeonghuigung Palace and developed in 1744, this composition was used to shop King Yeongjo’s portrait. Equivalent to quite a few other buildings in the complicated, this hall was eradicated during the Japanese invasion, but it was restored in 2000 that includes 5 sections on the entrance and two sections on the aspect.

6. Seoam

Entrance perspective of Seoam at Gyeonghuigung

Originally referred to as Wangam, this rock can be uncovered guiding Taeryeongjeon Corridor. Less than the substantial boulder, site visitors can from time to time see a stream of h2o managing beneath the rock.

In 1708, King Sukjong improved the identify to Seoam Rock which translateds to Propitious Rock in the course of his 34th 12 months in electric power. Apparently, there was initially a stone table, acknowledged as Sabangseok, positioned nearby with Chinese characters personally engraved by King Sukjong, but it is now lacking.

The Morgan Conclusion

View within Sungjeongjeon Hall

As a lesser recognised palace in Seoul, Gyeonghuigung showcases only a couple restored structures from the authentic sophisticated, but it’s well-known for supplying a home to ten kings of the Joseon Dynasty. This is also the only royal palace in Seoul with absolutely free admission.

So is Gyeonghuigung Palace worth viewing?

Indeed, Gyeonghuigung Palace is truly worth visiting because it is 1 of the least frequented palaces in Seoul and there are small crowds which would make it distinctive. You can also quickly check out in below an hour mainly because most of this palace has been wrecked by the Japanese invasion so it’s a pretty authentic reminder of the past.

Nonetheless, it’s a little intricate and we feel other palaces are superior when as opposed versus just about every other. If you only have a number of times in Seoul, we would not suggest Gyeonghuigung since you must check out 1 of the greater palaces alternatively. But if you choose to stop by, we propose you check out to see the Heunghwamun Gate, Geumcheongyo Bridge, Sungjeongjeon Hall, Jajeongjeon Hall, Taeryeongjeon Corridor and Seoam.

Vibrant walkways can be located all all over the palace intricate

A lot more Seoul Palaces

Our Well known Seoul Guides

Want more Seoul material? Head more than to our South Korea Travel Guides to take a look at the extremely ideal of Seoul and beyond.

We hope this guidebook that includes the ideal items to do at Gyeonghuigung Palace aids with arranging your visit to Seoul!

You should enable us know if you have any inquiries about checking out this palace or Seoul in the responses under.

Joyful Travels,

Mark and Kristen

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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography specialists. Over the previous 6 yrs touring full time, they have explored much more than 40 nations around the world and 30 US states.
Where Are Individuals Morgans has been showcased in Usa Nowadays, Gestalten, Get Your Tutorial, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler alongside with various other publications. Read through much more about us.

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