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

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

2.1Km    2025-06-19

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.

Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

2.1Km    2024-07-17

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

The 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.

Black Yak - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (블랙야크 종로)

Black Yak - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (블랙야크 종로)

2.1Km    2024-04-22

22, Jong-ro 36-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁)

Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁)

2.1Km    2024-10-31

185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-762-4868

Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was originally built as Suganggung Palace by the 4th ruler of the Joseon dynasty, King Sejong (r.1418-1450), for his retiring father, King Taejong. It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong (r.1469-1494), the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace. It later became a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during Japanese colonial rule. The palace grounds remained this way until 1983 when restoration of its old grace was completed.

Changgyeonggung Palace Honghwamun Gate (창경궁 홍화문)

Changgyeonggung Palace Honghwamun Gate (창경궁 홍화문)

2.1Km    2021-05-27

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-762-4868

Honghwamun Gate is the main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace. It has three opening gates in the front and two to the side with a sophisticated locking mechanism.

Manga (만가)

Manga (만가)

2.1Km    2021-03-26

103-19, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-5797

This is a restaurant that sells grilled eel, which is known as a health food. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled eel.

Seochon Chingune (서촌친구네)

Seochon Chingune (서촌친구네)

2.1Km    2021-03-18

32, Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-4763

A Seafood specialty restaurant located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. A restaurant serving a variety of seafood dishes. The most famous menu is steamed clams.

Igamyeonok (이가면옥)

Igamyeonok (이가면옥)

2.1Km    2021-03-18

33, Jahamun-ro, 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-3337

A cold buckwheat noodles specialty restaurant located near Gyeongbokgung (Government Complex-Seoul) Station in Seoul. Hamheung-style naengmyeon (Korean cold noodle) restaurant. The most famous menu is cold buckwheat noodles with raw fish.

AL MATTO (알마또)

AL MATTO (알마또)

2.1Km    2021-03-30

41-1, Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-4616

It is a place that sells Italian-style oven pizzas. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is wood-fired pizza.

Jeongdok Library (서울특별시교육청 정독도서관)

Jeongdok Library (서울특별시교육청 정독도서관)

2.1Km    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.