Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest and most important of Seoul's five Joseon-dynasty palaces, costs about $2.20 for adults (free under age 7 or over 64) — but entry is also free for anyone wearing a hanbok, and rental shops near Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station charge from about $7 for 2-4 hours, which more than pays for itself. The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony runs twice daily; the palace is closed every Tuesday.
Gyeongbokgung is Seoul's single most-photographed spot, and for good reason — sweeping courtyards, mountain backdrop, and, most days, a scene straight out of a period drama thanks to the sheer number of visitors renting hanbok for the free entry it buys them.
Admission and hours
| Ticket type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (19-64) | ₩3,000 (~$2.20) | Standard entry |
| Child (7-18) | ₩1,500 (~$1.10) | |
| Under 7 / over 64 | Free | Bring ID/passport |
| Anyone in hanbok | Free | Rent nearby for ~$7+ (2-4 hours) |
The hanbok free-entry trick isn't a loophole, it's the intended design — Korea wants visitors wearing traditional dress in the palace grounds. Rental shops cluster near Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station; renting for the morning easily pays for itself versus a standard ticket, and you get genuinely great photos out of it.
The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony
Held twice daily in front of Gwanghwamun Gate (except Tuesdays, when the palace is closed), the ceremony re-enacts the Joseon-era royal guard rotation. The 10am changing tends to be the more comfortable time to watch — arrive 15-20 minutes early for a decent view.
Opening hours by season
| Months | Hours |
|---|---|
| November-February | 9:00-17:00 |
| March-May, September-October | 9:00-18:00 |
| June-August | 9:00-18:30 |
What's nearby
- Bukchon Hanok Village — a real, still-lived-in traditional neighborhood just east of the palace, best explored slowly in the morning before tour groups arrive.
- National Folk Museum of Korea — inside the palace grounds, a good rainy-day option covering everyday Joseon-era life.
- Changdeokgung Palace — a short walk away, with the Huwon 'Secret Garden' (requires a separate timed-entry ticket, worth booking ahead).
Common mistakes
- Showing up on a Tuesday — the palace (and most of Seoul's other palaces) are closed that day.
- Skipping the hanbok rental to 'save time' — it typically takes 15-20 minutes to pick an outfit and is one of the best value-for-money experiences in the whole city.
- Missing the last entry time — ticket booths stop selling roughly an hour before closing.