Taking you back to the Dynasty time at 경복궁 Gyeongbokgung
경복궁 Gyeongbokgung 景福宫 also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon.
Gyeongbokgung continued to serve as the main palace of the Joseon dynasty until the premises were destroyed by fire during the Imjin War and abandoned for two centuries. However, in the 19th century, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were later restored under the leadership of Prince Regent Heungseon during the reign of King Gojong. Some 500 buildings were restored on a site of over 40 hectares. The architectural principles of ancient Korea were incorporated into the tradition and appearance of the Joseon royal court.
In the early 20th century, much of the palace was systematically destroyed by Imperial Japan. Since then, the walled palace complex is gradually being reconstructed to its original form. Today, the palace is arguably regarded as being the most beautiful and grandest of all five palaces. It also houses the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum within the premises of the complex.
광화문 게이트 Gwanghwamun Gate
Built at the beginning of the Chosun Dynasty when the Yi Dynasty moved the capital to Seoul, this palace remained the main seat of power for Korea kings throughout much of the time to the present. Gyeongbok means Shining Happiness. The main gate (Gwanghwa-mun) separates Gyeongbok Palace from one of the busiest areas of Seoul.
The Roads and Seoul City in front of the Gwanghwamun Gate.
Back to the front gate ..
The Guards
They are so serious that its damn awkward to take pictures with them. LOL.
From the Gwanghwamun Gate, to get into the Heungnyemun Gate you need to pay an entrance fees.
Admission Fees
Adults (19 to 64 years old) : ₩3,000 (Groups : ₩2,400)
Children (7 to 18 years old) : ₩1,500 (Groups : ₩1,200)
Children 6 and below, Senior Citizens 65 and above : Free
Operating Hours
January - February 9.00am - 5.00pm
March - May : 9.00am - 6.00pm
June - August : 09.00am - 6.30pm
September - October : 09.00am - 6.00pm
November - December : 9.00am - 5.00pm
Tuesdays : Close
흥례문 게이트 Heungnyemun Gate
The corridors extending out from Heungnyemun Gate form an enclosure. In the middle of this enclosure is Geumcheon Stream, which was designed to flow through the Palace from the west to the east after coming down from Mt. Baegak.
금천구 스트림 Geumcheon Stream
A bridge called Yeongjegyo is located at the center of this stream. A stream is a must in all Joseon royal Palaces, including Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace and Deoksugung Palace as well as gyeongbokgung Palace. There were also streams in the previous Goryeo Dynasty Palaces and in Chinese and Vietnamese royal residences, indicating that a Palace stream was a requisite for East Asian Palaces. The Palace stream and Yeongjegyo Bridge acted as a boundary that marked where the court officials stood during their regular audiences with the king.
근정전 게이트 Geunjeongmun Gate
Geunjeongmun Gate seen from the south of Yeongjegyo Bridge.
Geunjeongmun Gate was used for small audiences between the king and his civil and military officials. It was also where coronations were held. The coronation of King Danjong(1452-1454) was the first to be held here. When ceremonies were held at Geunjeongmun Gate, the officials above Rank 2 stood to the north of Yeongjegyo and those below Rank 3 lined up to the south of the bridge.
근정전 홀 Geunjeongjeon Hall
Geunjeongjeon Hall, Important state functions were held in the compound of Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall, such as court officials' audiences with the king and receptions for foreign envoys.
Geunjeongjeon Hall is the Throne Hall, where the king granted audiences to his officials, presided over large official functions and met foreign envoys. Geunjeongjeon Hall is the largest and most formal hall in gyeongbokgung Palace. The two-tier edifice stands on a high platform reached by stone steps. There is a spacious courtyard in front, where important events were held and corridors enclose it.
The throne inside Geunjeongjeon Hall.
A bronze Censer
Whenever the king sat on the throne for official functions, incense sticks were burned in the censers located on the left and right of the hall. Major events, such as coronations and receiving foreign envoys, were held around Geunjeongjeon Hall.
Stones indicating rank at Geunjeongjeon Hall. The marks indicated where the court officials lined up in order of rank during official functions at Geunjeongjeon Hall.
Stone sculptures on the foundation of Geunjeongjeon Hall.
Fire extinguisher. LOL. Yes, I am that lame that I just had to take a picture of this.
Some proof that I am there. LOL.
사정전 홀 Sajeongjeon Hall
Council Hall where the king routinely discussed national affairs with his court officials.
The Office Quarters were where the king handled state affairs and studied Chinese classics with his civil servants in normal times. The quarters were also where he threw parties for his relatives and ministers and supervised qualifying examinations for the civil service.
The Office Quarters in gyeongbokgung Palace are centered on Sajeongjeon Hall. Between Sajeongmun Gate, leading to the Throne Hall compound and Hyangomun Gate, opening to the living quarters, there are three buildings Sajeongjeon Hall, Manchunjeon Hall and Cheonchujeon Hall facing south, enclosed by a corridor-like structure with compartments inside.
The interior of Sajeongjeon Hall.
Sajeongjeon Hall is where the king presided over at small-scale meetings with his court officials.
The dragon in the clouds painting in Sajeongjeon Hall hanging from the ceiling in Sajeongjeon Hall.
경회루 Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
This pavilion, built on the pond west of Gangnyeongjeon Hall, the king's living quarters, was where the king threw feasts for foreign envoys or his court officials. The name means that the king is capable of handling national affairs only when he has the right people around him, it was used on joyous occasions.
Because it was winter, so the water turned into iced. So pretty !
향원정 관 Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
When Geoncheonggung Palace Residence was built, King Gojong redesigned the Palace's back garden. An artificial islet was created in the middle of the pond, on which a hexagonal pavilion was built with the name Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, meaning the “Pavilion of Far-Reaching Fragrance” The bridge across the pond was named Chwihyanggyo, meaning "intoxicated with fragrance."
In 1873, when King Gojong built Geoncheonggung Palace, he had a pond dug to the south, with an islet created in the middle. A two-tier hexagonal pavilion, built on the islet, was named Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and the wooden bridge leading to it was called Chwihyanggyo.
Trees looks so nice during the winter.
Oh yeaa ! WGM, SungJae and Joy film around here too at 경복궁 Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Watch We Got Married ep 290 for a glimpse of this place and also support 성재 조이 쀼 Sung Joy Ppy Couple ^^ and I here forever alone. LOL. Is okay, the next time I come here, I will come in 한복 hanbok !
p.s - If you wear 한복 hanbok here. Your entrance is free. That means you don't need to pay for an entrance ticket.
Balancing ? Walking ? No idea what was I doing.
The wall ! My husband. LOL
Okay, these are the picture that I managed to take. There are actually allot more other places but I don't have the pictures of them. Sorry !
There was still the Living Quarters, Jagyeongjeon Hall, Jaseondang Hall, Taewonjeon Hall Shrine, Geoncheonggung Palace, Jangandang Hall and etc ..
I know, I apologise ! Anyway, if you want to know more you can always google or come here ! Seeing with your own eyes is always better. Treat this post as some spoiler photos post to get the glimpse of what this Gyeongbokgung Palace is all about and how does it looks like.
The changing of Guards
Be sure to watch and witness the changing of the guards at the Gwanghwamun Gate (main gate). This ceremony will take place in between the Gwanghwamun Gate and Heungnyemun Gate. The royal changing of the guard ceremony is held every hour from 10:00am to 3.00pm.
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So cold ! ❄
We stop by half way, in between at the Craft Shop to warm ourself up.
Pretty Handmade Crafts and Marchandise.
You also can get a cup of coffee and some bites there too !
Hot Chocolate is always the best to keep you warm when you are braving the cold outdoor.
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Coming back out from the Heungnyemun Gate and headed towards the right to visit the
국립고궁박물관 National Palace Museum of Korea.
국립고궁박물관
국립고궁박물관 National Palace Museum of Korea is a national museum of South Korea located in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul. The museum first began as the "Korean Imperial Museum", which was established in September 1908 and was originally located in Changgyeonggung Palace. On November of the following year, the museum was opened to the public. However, on April, 1938, the ruling Japanese government renamed the museum to the "Museum of Yi dynasty".
In March, 1946, after the liberation of Korea, it was renamed "Deoksugung Museum". In 1991, Cultural Heritage Administration instituted the museum in Seokjojeon (석조전, Stone Hall) of Deoksugung Palace, and in 2005, the museum was relocated to a modern building inside Gyeongbokgung Palace.
In the Museum you can find ..
Royal Symbols and Records | State Rites | Joseon Science | Palace Architecture | Royal Life | Royal Childbirth and Education | Royal Scholarly Culture | Korean Empire | Royal Court Paintings | Royal Court Music | Royal Palanquins | Joseon Water Clock
Some photos below, probably like 15% of what's inside the Museum. Because there are too many things to see and I can't be taking pictures of like everything.
There are free cards at the Information Desk that you can take to make as souvenir of your visit.
You can also take a photo infant of this wallpaper background.
국립고궁박물관 National Palace Museum of Korea
서울특별시 종로구 효자로 12 (세종로)
12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Contact Info
1330 Travel Hotline : +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
+82-2-3701-7500 (Korean, Japanese, Chinese)
Opening Hours
Weekdays : 9.00am - 6.00pm
Weekends & Public Holidays : 9.00am - 7.00pm
Mondays : Close
(Last admission: 1 hour before closing)
Amenities
✎ Facilities for the Handicapped
Wheelchair rental (2F, Information Desk)
✎ Baby Stroller Rentals
Available (Information desk, 2F)
✎ Admission / Participation Fees
Free admission until further notice.
✎ Pets
Not permitted
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경복궁 Gyeongbokgung Palace
서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로)
161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Contact Info
1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info : +82-2-3700-3904~5 | +82-2-738-9171 | +82-2-3210-1645~6
Opening Hours
January-February 9.00am - 5.00pm
March - May : 9.00am - 6.00pm
June - August : 09.00am - 6.30pm
September - October : 09.00am - 6.00pm
November - December : 9.00am - 5.00pm
Tuesdays : Close
*Last admission: 1 hr before closing
* Operating hours are subject to change depending on conditions or circumstances.
✎ Pets
Not permitted
(There might be changes in information, price and timing. Please do double confirm from their official website if you are to visit this place)
광화문 역 Gwanghwamun Station
Subway Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 5
or
Subway Line 5, Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 2
After visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can go for a yummy Ginseng Chicken Meal in Gyeongbokgung too ! Stay tune for my next post about The Best Ginseng Chicken at 토속촌 삼계탕 Tosokchon Samgyetang which is also located near the Gyeongbokgung Station !
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