Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) - Area information - Korea travel information

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

2.0Km    2025-10-23

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the official palace of the Joseon dynasty by Yi Seong-gye, the future King Taejo and founder of the new regime. Gyeongbokgung Palace is commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location to the north, comparied to Changdeokgung Palace in the east and Gyeonghuigung Palace in the west. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful and is the largest of all five palaces. Many Joseon kings were crowned here. The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong. The assassination of Empress Myeongseong, however, resulted in Gyeongbokgung Palace losing its function as a royal palace, eventually witnessing the downfall of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace retains the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, a prime example of Joseon architecture, and the Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and pond. The sculptures in the Geunjeongjeon Hall exemplify Joseon-era sculpture techniques. The west side of the area outside Heungnyemun Gate is occupied by the National Palace Museum of Korea, while the eastern side of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion within the Gyeongbokgung Palace is occupied by the National Folk Museum of Korea.

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

K-Royal Culture Festival (궁중문화축전)

2.0Km    2025-07-29

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1522-2295

The K-Royal Culture Festival is held at the five Royal Palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. The festival first began in 2014 and provides visitors with first-hand knowledge of these important cultural heritages through unique performances, exhibitions, experiences and programs. The festival expanded in 2021 to be hosted twice a year, in spring and in fall.

NKDB North Korean Human Rights Exhibition Hall (북한인권전시실)

NKDB North Korean Human Rights Exhibition Hall (북한인권전시실)

2.0Km    2025-11-13

393 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The NKDB North Korean Human Rights Exhibition Hall is a permanent exhibition space dedicated to North Korean human rights.  Although it is a small space, it resonates deeply and serves as a "dark tourism" site that records and testifies to the ongoing reality of human rights violations in North Korea. The North Korean Human Rights Information Center (NKDB), which operates this exhibition hall, is the organization that collects and archives the most extensive records of human rights concerning North Korean residents in the world. The testimonies and records presented here represent a living history, a story unfolding in the present, unavailable elsewhere. Through donated North Korean artifacts, including these records, visitors can glimpse the present-day North Korea and encounter artwork by North Korean defectors.

CheongKwanJang - Jonggak Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 종각역)

CheongKwanJang - Jonggak Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 종각역)

2.0Km    2024-04-22

#102, 95, Sambong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Donam Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 돈암점)

2.0Km    2024-06-27

39, Dongsomun-ro 22-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로점)

2.0Km    2024-06-27

1F, 78, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display (청와대 국민과 함께 영상전시)

2.0Km    2025-08-20

1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
박주원 학예연구사 02-3771-8636

Cheong Wa Dae Media Display brightens the night through a media facade display on Yeongbingwan Hall. The display shows the history of Cheong Wa Dae through the theme "Twelve Lights".

Dongdaemun Jeongyuk Sikdang (동대문정육식당)

Dongdaemun Jeongyuk Sikdang (동대문정육식당)

2.0Km    2024-03-15

7-3 Jong-ro 46ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-764-1541

Dongdaemun Jeongyuk Sikdang is a butcher restaurant specializing in fresh meat located near Dongdaemun Fashion Town. They offer high-quality Korean beef and Korean pork sourced directly from the producers, allowing customers to choose cuts of meat according to their preferences at reasonable prices. Their savory soybean paste stew served in the center of the grill is also delicious. Customers can help themselves to additional side dishes like green onions threads and onion sauce at the self-service bar.

HANILKWAN - Gwanghwamun Branch (한일관 광화문)

2.0Km    2024-03-18

50, Jong-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-7557

It is a store that has been operating with a long tradition since 1939. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is bulgogi.

Jeongneung Royal Tomb  [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 정릉(신덕왕후) [유네스코 세계문화유산])

Jeongneung Royal Tomb [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 정릉(신덕왕후) [유네스코 세계문화유산])

2.0Km    2021-02-09

116, Arirang-ro 19-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-914-5133

Jeongneung Royal Tomb is the tomb of Queen Sindeok, the second wife of King Taejo (1392-1398), founder of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). The queen met a sudden death due to health complications. Although one of her sons was the crown prince, he was killed by a successive brother, Yi Bang-won, in order to obtain the throne. After Yi Bang-won rose to the throne as King Taejong, he relocated Queen Sindeok's tomb to outside of the city walls.