Gyeongbokgung Palace

There are 5 grand palaces in Seoul. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the main and largest one, and it was built for the first time among 5 palaces which were created in the Chosun Dynasty. The name of the palace 'Gyeongbok' means "Greatly Blessed by Heaven".

Source : http://terms.naver.com/entry.nhn?docId=566482&cid=1630&categoryId=1630

• How to get here : Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung stn. on subway line 3                                                                                                           Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun stn. on subway line 5
• Hours : 9:00~18:00 (Final admission at 17:00)    

             * June through August                9:00~18:30 (Final admission at 17:30)
             * November through February     9:00~17:00 (Final admission at 16:00)
             * Closed on Tuesdays

• Admissions

        Age 19~ : 3,000 won/ 2,400 won(group, 10 or more)
        Age 7~18 : 1,500 won/ 1,200 won(group, 10 or more)
        Age 6 and under children, Permanent Residency Status Holder(Age 65 and older): Free
          *Combination Tickets : 10,000 won for adults, 5,000won for youth
             -With one admission, you can enter Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and                            Jongmyo Shrine within one month.
               You can purchase it at the ticket offices of each of the five different palaces.

• Free guided tour in foreign languages

        English - 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
        Japanese - 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
        Chinese - 10:30, 13:00, 15:00

Must-see places in Gyeongbokgung Palace

1. Gwanghwamun

It is the main gate of Gyeongbokgung palace. It has a double-roofed pavilion over three arched openings set in a high stone foundation. The king entered through the central arch, whereas the crown prince and officials used the either side of the openings.
The royal changing of the guard ceremony is held in front of it at 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00. Watching the ceremony was selected as the third favorite activity in Seoul by nearly 2,000 foreign visitors.

2. Geunjeongjeon

It is the largest and most formal hall in Gyeongbokgung. It is the throne hall where the king granted audiences with his officials, held officially important events, and received foreign envoys. While coronation and reception for foreign envoys were held, the officials stood according to their rank stones placed with two rows on the stone-paved courtyard.






3. Gyeonghoeru

The pavilion was built on a pond to the west of Gangnyeongjeon, the king's living quarters. This is the royal banquet hall used to hold the reception for foreign envoys and feasts between the king and officials. The name means that the king can deal with national affairs only when he gets the right people around him. Three stone bridges which are connected to the pavilion are decorated with sculpted twelve Zodiac animals.




To get further information about tour of the palace, visit the official website :  http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongbokgung
              http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/main/main.jsp