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

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

3.8Km    2025-10-23

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

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the future King Taejo and founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location to the north, comparied to 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. 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.

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

3.8Km    2025-01-09

41-11, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-7525

Located near Deoksugung Palace, Jungmyeongjeon Hall is a red-brick modern Western-style building. It was built in 1899 as the imperial library of the Korean Empire. After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire in 1904, the place became the temporary residence of Emperor Gojong. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty), an illegal treaty forced by Japan, was signed in 1905. Its exhibition hall serves as a place for historical education.

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

3.8Km    2025-07-29

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1522-2295

The K-Royal Culture Festival is held at the five Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. The festival first began in 2014 and provides visitors with first-hand knowledge of these important cultural heritages through unique performances, exhibitions, experiences and programs. The festival expanded in 2021 to be hosted twice a year, in spring and in fall.

ABC-Mart - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ABC마트 ST이태원)

ABC-Mart - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ABC마트 ST이태원)

3.8Km    2024-04-22

159-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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

3.8Km    2025-06-19

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.

River City Water Ski Resort (리버시티수상스키장)

3.8Km    2025-10-23

37-53 Apgujeong-ro 11-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Jamwon District 1 in Hangang Park

In 'I Live Alone', it is none other than the Hangang River where SHINee's Key and Minho enjoyed water skiing and 'Pangpang' boat. Necessary equipment can be rented, and water skiing and wakeboarding lessons are also offered, so even beginners can visit without any hesitation. Above all, the most attractive thing is that you can enjoy water sports in downtown Seoul without having to go far. There are shower rooms and changing rooms, as well as a Ramyeon making machine. There is no better delicacy than eating freshly boiled Ramyeon while drying your wet hair after playing in the water.

Samcheong-dong Street (삼청동길)

3.8Km    2025-01-22

107 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

It is said that Samcheong-dong was named from the story about the three "cheong" (Chinese character meaning clean) of the area, namely the mountain, water, and people. Another theory is that the origin of the region's name came from Samcheongjeon Hall where three tablets called "Taecheong," "Sangcheong," and "Okcheong," were set up based on Taoism. Samcheong-dong Street features a mixture of old scenes of hanok buildings with traditional beauty and modern scenes of galleries and cafés, creating a unique atmosphere. Visitors can feel the abundant cultural mood at every corner of the street through the art galleries, museums, antique shops, and quiet pathways.

Innisfree - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 이태원)

Innisfree - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 이태원)

3.8Km    2024-04-18

160-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Upcycling Plaza (서울새활용플라자)

3.8Km    2024-01-05

49 Jadongchasijang-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

Saehwaryong is a Korean term for upcycling, a process of redesigning or recycling discarded resources or materials to give them a new value or purpose. Seoul Upcycling Plaza operates upcycling-related exhibitions, upcycling practice education and experience programs, design studios, upcycling stores, workshops, and more. It is a great place to look around for ideas and inspirations on how to use products for longer periods of time. The plaza demonstrates the first step to creating a resource-recycling society.

The Great Full Moon Festival  (정월대보름 한마당)

The Great Full Moon Festival (정월대보름 한마당)

3.8Km    2025-02-05

37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3704-3106

The National Folk Museum is celebrating the first full moon of the Lunar new year, Jeongwol Daeboreum. A variety of experiences are prepared to eliminate bad luck and pray for prosperity and health. The event provides a chance for locals and tourists alike to learn more about the traditional culture of Korea.