Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

268.3450218787844m 1752365 2024-05-07

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, who becomes King Taejo and the founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location in the north of Changdeokgung Palace in the east and Gyeonghuigung Palace in the west. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. Many Joseon kings were crowned here, including the 2nd King Jeongjong, 4th King Sejong, 6th King Danjong, 7th King Sejo, 9th King Seongjong, 11th King Jungjong, and the 13th King Myeongjong. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong. The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, however, resulted in Gyeongbokgung Palace losing its function as a royal palace, eventually witnessing the downfall of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. The sculptures in the Geunjeongjeon Hall exemplify Joseon-era sculpture techniques. The west side of the area outside Heungnyemun Gate is occupied by the National Palace Museum of Korea, while the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion within the Gyeongbokgung Palace is occupied by the National Folk Museum of Korea.
* Major cultural heritages
1) [Historic Site] Gyeongbokgung Palace
2) [National Treasure] Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace
3) [National Treasure] Gyeonghoeru Pavilion of Gyeongbokgung Palace
4) [Treasure] Jagyeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace
5) [Treasure] Chimney with Ten Symbols of Longevity in Relief at Jagyeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace
6) [Treasure] Chimneys in Amisan Garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace
7) [Treasure] Geunjeongmun Gate and Corridor of Gyeongbokgung Palace
8) [Treasure] Wind Streamer Pedestal of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Cafe COIN 2ho (Cafe COIN 2호)

274.02764964679363m 266 2021-03-22

29, Myeongdong, 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-1506

A café operated for more than 20 years in Myeong-dong. This is a cafe located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is waffle.

World Jewellery Museum (세계장신구박물관)

294.7354190002066m 26230 2023-09-21

2, Bukchon-ro 5na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-1610

Situated in the gallery district in the back alley of Samcheong-dong (east of Gyeongbokgung Palace), the World Jewellery Museum houses 3,000 jewelry pieces from 60 countries, which have been collected over 30 years. Of which, 1,000 have been selected for display. The first floor contains an Amber Wall that goes back as far as 50 million years, the Golden Hall (El Dorado), the Necklace Hall, and the solemn Alter of the Cross. The second floor holds a mask wall, rings, beads and ivory as well as modern jewelry.

Jeongdok Library (서울특별시교육청 정독도서관)

312.75577893164814m 20643 2021-05-08

48, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-5799

Jeongdok Library opened in January 1977 on the former site of the Gyeonggi High School in Bukchon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. As a public city library, it boasts little under half a million books and 16,300 reference materials. The Seoul Education Museum in the library houses a collection of 12,000 reference materials.

In addition to basic library functions (lending books and offering archives and reading rooms to the public), the library runs various cultural programs such as monthly lectures by invited authors, photo exhibitions, reading seminars, and music/dance performances.

Luden Loquen SPACE (카페LN)

321.97602871645614m 12739 2019-11-26

5, Bukchon-ro 5na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-7597

Luden Loquen SPACE is a unique hanok cafe, located at the end of the alley where Bukchon Hanok Village starts. The cafe is not just an average café where you can drink tea or coffee but because of location and design it has an added sense of cultural value. Locals come to enjoy the best tea in town, brewed using high quality tea leaves with information on its origin attached. In addition to traditional drinks and sweets, the coffee shop offers a variety treats that combines Korean ingredients and modern desserts. The hanok building has been reinterpreted through a modern design.

Tea Therapy (티테라피)

322.9833877001012m 0 2024-01-30

74 Yunboseon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tea Therapy, located in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a place for those who feel uncomfortable because of a minor illness that is not serious enough to require going to the hospital. Visitors can enjoy medicinal herb tea, which is often difficult to approach, in a more easy and special way here. Tea Therapy’s tea, like other herbal teas, can be brewed within 3 minutes and offers a soothing sensation. Not only is the tea delicious but it also benefits the body. Even those unfamiliar with teas can find a tea that suits their taste and needs through a simple and amusing tea test. The types of tea offered at Tea Therapy include Hyangtong Tea, good for muscle pain; Omija Tea, which gives vitality; Medicinal Herb Tea, good for colds; and Pear and Bellflower Root Tea, good for the bronchial tubes. They also sell those teas so that visitors can enjoy the same taste at home.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Jagyeongjeon Tea Ceremony (경복궁 자경전 다례체험행사)

333.83048980249686m 12065 2020-03-12

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4683

This traditional tea ceremony experience takes place at Jagyeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace every Saturday and Sunday. Participation is by reservation on a first come, first serve basis.

The ceremony includes a tea culture demonstration and experience, making honey cakes, traditional etiquette introduction, and lectures related to tea culture. To participate in the tea ceremony, download the application form from the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation website and submit the form through email.

Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

337.7950683291201m 256694 2022-05-17

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-1645

In the Joseon dynasty, the royal guards of the palace were gatekeepers who were responsible for guarding the the main gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the main gates of the city such as Heunginjimun Gate and Sungnyemun Gate. The royal guards worked in shift duties and were in charge of opening and closing Gwanghwamun Gate. Before the royal guard system was enforced in 1469, the palace gates were protected by soldiers of the central army. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Gwanghwamun area reenacts the guard-changing procedure that took place during the Joseon dynasty, along with the reproduction of costumes and weapons, based on historical records.

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관&국립민속박물관 어린이박물관)

342.43805953995525m 0 2024-03-04

37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea, located within Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcases artifacts related to Korean traditional culture. This interactive museum allows children to experience and learn about various aspects of Korean traditional clothing, food, society, culture, and games firsthand. Especially catering to children from Asian countries, there is a service for renting items, and reservations are required for admission.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) - Area information - Korea travel information