Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, its name meaning “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.” It served as the political and cultural center of Korea for over 500 years and is the site where Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, was created, before being burned during Japanese invasions and later demolished under colonial rule and rebuilt in stages since.
A changing-of-the-guard ceremony is held daily at 10am and 2pm in front of the main gate, and the National Folk Museum sits within the palace grounds. Visitors wearing hanbok, traditional Korean dress, are admitted free of charge.
The palace is open 9am to 6pm from March to October and 9am to 5pm from November to February, closed on Tuesdays; admission is about 3,000 won for adults and free for those 18 and under.
