Why these five? How to choose your palace(s)
Gyeongbokgung (grand scale & guard ceremony), Changdeokgung (UNESCO-listed with the famed Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung (easy night strolls), Deoksugung (romantic stone-wall walk & western-style Seokjojeon with late closing), and Gyeonghuigung (quiet courtyards near the Seoul Museum of History). First-timers usually pair Gyeongbokgung + Deoksugung in one day; add Changdeokgung (+ Secret Garden) on day two, then slot Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung if you like slower crowds.
Hours, closures & tickets (2025)
Gyeongbokgung runs seasonal hours: Jan–Feb 09:00–17:00; Mar–May & Sep–Oct 09:00–18:00; Jun–Aug 09:00–18:30; Nov–Dec 09:00–17:00; closed Tue. Adult ticket 3,000 KRW. (Royal Palace & Tombs Center official) :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Deoksugung is typically open 09:00–21:00 (last entry ~20:00), closed Mon; Adult 1,000 KRW. (Official festival/center pages) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Changgyeonggung commonly extends into the evening during seasons (often until ~21:00); Adult 1,000 KRW. (Royal Palaces pages) :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Gyeonghuigung 09:00–18:00, closed Mon. (KTO & Seoul Museum pages) :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Quick comparison (tap to scroll)
Royal Guard ceremonies (don’t miss these)
Gyeongbokgung: Guard Changing at 10:00 & 14:00 (≈20 min), Gwanghwamun Guard Dispatch at 11:00 & 13:00 (≈10 min), and public training at 09:35 & 13:35. (Official program page) :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Deoksugung: Royal Guard Changing typically at 11:00 & 14:00, no Monday shows. (Korea Tourism Organization 2025 listing) :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Hanbok free-entry rules & rentals
Free entry applies at all five palaces when you wear hanbok properly. The official guideline requires wearing both an upper garment (jeogori) and a lower garment (skirt/pants). Overcoats alone don’t count. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Pricing snapshot (examples): Oneday Hanbok 4h ≈ ₩24,000 / 1 day ≈ ₩32,000 (store page) :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Popular zones: Gyeongbokgung/Anguk/Bukchon (brands like Hanboknam, Seohwa Hanbok). :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- What to bring: passport or deposit/credit card; seasonal layers; comfy innerwear.
Best photo spots (palace by palace)
- Gyeongbokgung: Hyangwonjeong Pavilion (reflection shots), Gyeonghoeru (outer viewpoint), Geunjeongjeon symmetry. Go early for softer light.
- Changdeokgung: Secret Garden’s Buyongjeong & Aeryeonji (timed tour flow), Donhwamun axis.
- Changgyeonggung: Myeongjeongjeon forecourt scale, Glasshouse; seasonal night openings.
- Deoksugung: Seokjojeon (Western vs. Joseon contrast), Jeongdong Observatory overhead palace view — Weekdays 13:30–17:30; Weekends 09:00–17:30. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- Gyeonghuigung: Sunjeongjeon pavilion lines; quiet stone steps + corridors.
Etiquette & shooting rules
Stay off thresholds and platforms, don’t lean on pillars or roped-off areas, avoid food/drinks inside. Tripod/flash limits and drone bans often apply; follow on-site signs and staff directions. (Restrictions also appear in special-night-tour notes.) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
1–2 day itineraries & transit
Day 1 — Gyeongbokgung (10:00 ceremony) → Seochon lunch → Blue House Sarangchae → Bukchon/Ikseon alley → Deoksugung at night (stone-wall walk).
Day 2 — Changdeokgung + Secret Garden (prebook) → Jongno markets lunch → Changgyeonggung (seasonal night) → Gyeonghuigung + Seoul Museum of History.
Subway: Gyeongbokgung (Line 3, Exit 5); Anguk (Line 3, Exit 3); City Hall (Lines 1/2); Jongno 3-ga (Lines 1/3/5).
• Check palace/festival notices for temporary closures or night programs.
• Secret Garden slots sell out; arrive early or book online.
• Hanbok free-entry applies even on event days if properly worn. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}