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

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

14.0Km    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)

14.0Km    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.

Dal Café (달 카페)

14.0Km    2024-03-18

94-1 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-7355

Dal Café is a café located in Bukchon Hanok Village, housed within a traditional Korean hanok. "Dal" means "moon" in Korean. The café is designed with lighting fixtures that give the impression of the moon hanging on the wall, making it a perfect spot for photography. The signature menu item here is the traditional Korean shaved ice with topping served in a traditional pot.

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

14.0Km    2023-03-24

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-7500

The National Palace Museum of Korea displays over 40,000 relics from the Joseon dynasty. With various treasures on exhibit, the museum continues to provide information on the dignity of royal culture and the creativity of royal cultural assets.

Gogung Tteurak (고궁뜨락)

Gogung Tteurak (고궁뜨락)

14.0Km    2020-04-17

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-0486

Located on the first floor of the National Palace Museum of Korea, Gogung Tteurak consists of a museum shop and a café. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00 during the weekdays and up to 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It operates without closing days as of January 1, 2017.

Cheongsujeong (청수정)

14.0Km    2024-03-18

91 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheongsujeong is a traditional Korean restaurant specializing in mussel dishes near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Mussel rice is a traditional dish from Ulleungdo Island. The signature menu is the honghapbap jeongsik (mussel rice set menu), which includes mussel-infused rice served with soybean paste jjigae, various side dishes such as salads, acorn jelly, kimchi, grilled fish, and more. Additionally, they offer dishes like bulgogi deopbap (stir-fried bulgogi with rice), jeyukbokkeum (spicy stir-fried pork), and ojingeo bokkeum (stir-fried squid).

Jeongneung Royal Tomb  [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 정릉(신덕왕후) [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Jeongneung Royal Tomb [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 정릉(신덕왕후) [유네스코 세계문화유산])

14.0Km    2021-02-09

116, Arirang-ro 19-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-914-5133

Jeongneung Royal Tomb is the tomb of Queen Sindeok, the second wife of King Taejo (1392-1398), founder of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). The queen met a sudden death due to health complications. Although one of her sons was the crown prince, he was killed by a successive brother, Yi Bang-won, in order to obtain the throne. After Yi Bang-won rose to the throne as King Taejong, he relocated Queen Sindeok's tomb to outside of the city walls.

Châtaigne (샤떼뉴)

Châtaigne (샤떼뉴)

14.1Km    2021-12-29

19, Samcheong-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-5385

Châtaigne is a French restaurant housed in a charming hanok (traditional Korean house) that was remodelled to accommodate dining tables and chairs. Châtaigne uses seasonal ingredients to create a simple and unique French course meal.

Olive Young - Gongdeok Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 공덕역)

Olive Young - Gongdeok Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 공덕역)

14.1Km    2024-04-16

1F, 199, Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

-

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

Seoul Gyeonggyojang House (서울 경교장)

14.1Km    2021-09-15

29, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-2038

Gyeonggyojang House, a designated Historic Site, was the location of the provisional government and the place where Baekbeom Kim Koo passed away. Seoul reproduced the historical site, Gyeonggyojang House, to use the area as an educational site. Also, the house exhibits the history of the provisional government in order to see the history more clearly.

Restoration work included the demolition of the interior that was changed when the building was turned into a hospital facility and embassy after Kim Koo passed away in 1949. During the work, the remaining parts were maintained with the utmost care. Reconstructed parts were based on the building's floor plan written in Chosun and Architecture (8th edition in 1938). Visitors can see various contents related to the Korean Provisional Government history through relics, video, and information searching corners.