Gyeongbokgung Palace

Built in 1395, the year after the capital moved to Seoul. Jeong Do-jeon named it from a line in the Book of Odes about being full of wine and full of virtue — gyeongbok, great blessing. Sejong lived here and worked here. The Hall of Worthies, where the scholars who helped design the alphabet were kept close at hand, stood in the government quarter south of the Gyeonghoeru pavilion. Beside it was the pavilion that announced the hours; at the north-west corner, an astronomical observation platform; and in the Heumgyeonggak, a water-driven clock showing the hour and the season together. This corner of the palace was, for a few decades, the best-equipped scientific establishment in East Asia. Japanese troops burned it in 1592 and it lay empty for 270 years. It was rebuilt from 1867, largely demolished again under colonial rule, and is being restored now — which is why parts of it are always fenced.

Original Text

Visiting

Opening hours

November-February 09:00-17:00 (Last admission 16:00) March-May & September-October 09:00-18:00 (Last admission 17:00) June-August 09:00-18:30 (Last admission 17:30)

Closed

Tuesdays (If Tuesday falls on a public holiday, it will be closed on the following business day instead)

Parking

Available

Information

+82-2-3700-3900

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Historic Site · 사적