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

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

9.3Km    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)

9.3Km    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.

Owl Museum (부엉이박물관)

Owl Museum (부엉이박물관)

9.4Km    2022-09-19

143, Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-2902

The Owl Museum is filled with over 2,000 pieces of owl-themed arts and crafts collected from all over the world by the owner. Renovated from a house, the museum has a feel of an antique café as the owner offers a cup of coffee or tea to visitors. Located near the city, those interested in owls should stop for a view and a drink. Various stories of how the collection was gathered as well as information on owls are also interesting.

The Great Full Moon Festival  (정월대보름 한마당)

The Great Full Moon Festival (정월대보름 한마당)

9.4Km    2025-02-05

37 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3704-3106

The National Folk Museum is celebrating the first full moon of the Lunar new year, Jeongwol Daeboreum. A variety of experiences are prepared to eliminate bad luck and pray for prosperity and health. The event provides a chance for locals and tourists alike to learn more about the traditional culture of Korea.

Dream Forest Art Center (꿈의숲 아트센터)

Dream Forest Art Center (꿈의숲 아트센터)

9.4Km    2025-01-15

173, Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

Dream Forest Art Center, located in Gangbuk, Seoul, is operated by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Composed of two performance venues (Performance Hall and Concert Hall), alongside with Sang Sang Tok Tok Art Gallery and Dream Gallery, there are also a Chinese restaurant, cafe and an observatory deck available for all visitors to enjoy.

TUBAn [Tax Refund Shop] (주식회사 투바앤)

TUBAn [Tax Refund Shop] (주식회사 투바앤)

9.4Km    2024-04-23

1955, Goyang-daero, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

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Seoureseo Duljjaero Jalhaneunjip (서울서둘째로잘하는집)

Seoureseo Duljjaero Jalhaneunjip (서울서둘째로잘하는집)

9.4Km    2024-03-15

122-1 Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-5302

Seoureseo Duljjaero Jalhaneunjip is a sweet red bean porridge and traditional tea house near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Sweet red bean porridge is a sweet and smooth dish typically containing chewy rice cakes and chestnuts. In Korea, it's a traditional food eaten during dongji (the shortest day and longest night of the year). They also offer traditional teas like ssanghwatang (herbal tonic tea), which contains seven medicinal herbs, sujeonggwa (cinnamon punch) with a blend of cinnamon and ginger flavors, and sikhye (sweet rice punch), a drink known for aiding digestion.

PKM Gallery (PKM갤러리)

PKM Gallery (PKM갤러리)

9.4Km    2024-03-18

40 Samcheong-ro 7-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

PKM Gallery, now providing 397 square meters of exhibition space, includes a main building with a maximum x_height of 5.5 meters comprising two upper stories and a two-story basement. PKM+, an annex built in 2018, has one upper story and a basement floor and is equipped with a boutique-like gallery space.
The gallery not only exhibits the works of leading figures in Korean contemporary art, but has also succeeded in introducing renowned international artists to the Korean audience. As an incubator for emerging young artists, PKM Gallery has been organizing exhibitions to encourage their growth as leading artists of the next generation. PKM gallery, the first among the Korean galleries invited to participate in the Frieze Art Fair in 2004, played a major role in advancing Korean contemporary art to the global art market.

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

Gilsangsa Temple (Seoul) (길상사(서울))

9.4Km    2025-06-17

68 Seonjam-ro 5-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3672-5945

Gilsangsa Temple is a prominent temple located in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. The name Gilsangsa means "a favorable and auspicious temple." Visitors can experience temple, participate in Buddhist practices, and even enjoy Templestay programs on weekends. In fall, visitors can admire red spider lilies and wildflowers, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature and finding inner peace.

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

9.4Km    2023-03-24

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-7500

The National Palace Museum of Korea displays over 40,000 relics from the Joseon dynasty. With various treasures on exhibit, the museum continues to provide information on the dignity of royal culture and the creativity of royal cultural assets.