Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace: This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) looks busy (daily crowd index 100); the quietest day in the next 30 days is Mon, Nov 9; weekday average 84, weekend average 98; the quietest day of the week is Monday; parking: 240 spaces.
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.
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Address
- 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- 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
- Parking nearby
- 1 lot within 500 m · about 1,260 spaces
- Sunrise / sunset
- Sat, Oct 31: sunrise 06:55 · sunset 17:36
- Phone
- +82-2-3700-3900
- Popularity
- Popular
Gyeongbokgung Palace: least crowded days in the next 30 days
This is the daily crowd index forecast by the Korea Tourism Organization from mobile-network data. 100 = this place's busiest period, so 50 means about half as busy as its peak. It covers the whole day — even busy days can be quiet early in the morning or in the evening.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/2885 | 2984 | 3092 | 31100 | |||
| 11/195 | 285 | 3Closed | 488 | 592 | 689 | 7100 |
| 898 | 976 | 10Closed | 1186 | 1283 | 1389 | 14100 |
| 1596 | 1677 | 17Closed | 1880 | 1982 | 2078 | 21100 |
| 2297 | 2377 | 24Closed | 2585 |
Quiet (under 55) Moderate Busy (80+) Closed · red dates are Sundays and public holidays
| Quieter weekends & holidays | All weekends and holidays in the next 30 days look busy — consider a weekday. |
|---|---|
| Quietest days | Mon, Nov 9 76 · Mon, Nov 16 77 · Mon, Nov 23 77 |
| Busiest days | Sat, Oct 31 100 · Sat, Nov 7 100 · Sat, Nov 14 100 |
| Weekday / weekend average | Weekdays 84 · weekends 98 |
| Average by day of week | Mon 79 · Wed 85 · Thu 85 · Fri 87 · Sat 100 · Sun 97 (bold = quietest day) |
Festivals & events nearby
- Yangjaecheoneul Pumeun Yangjaedoseogwan 「mulgil Ttara Geurimchaek Yeohaeng」 양재천을 품은 양재도서관 「물길 따라 그림책 여행」 On now Sat, Oct 10 – Sun, Nov 8 · 12 km
- Nowondalbitsanchaek 노원달빛산책 On now Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Nov 8 · 11 km
- 《sojangpum, Sidaeui Jangmyeondeul》 《소장품, 시대의 장면들》 On now Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Dec 6 · 2 km
- Sium Sium Morning On now Sun, Oct 18 – Sun, Nov 29 · 13 km
FAQ
- Is there parking at Gyeongbokgung Palace?
- Yes (Available). On weekends and holidays the car park fills up early, so arrive in the morning.
- What are the opening hours of Gyeongbokgung Palace?
- 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). Hours can change by season or for events, so check before you go. Times are Korea time (KST).
- Which day is Gyeongbokgung Palace least crowded?
- Based on the Korea Tourism Organization forecast for the next 30 days, Monday is the quietest day of the week (average 79) and Saturday the busiest (average 100). The single quietest day is Mon, Nov 9.
- What time should I visit Gyeongbokgung Palace to avoid the crowds?
- Tourist spots are usually busiest between 11:00 and 14:00. Arriving right after opening (09:00) or late in the afternoon is much calmer. The Noonchi app shows a score for every departure time from your location.
- Will Gyeongbokgung Palace be crowded this weekend?
- This Saturday (Sat, Oct 31) is forecast to be busy (daily crowd index 100; 100 = busiest period). Even on busy days, early morning and late afternoon are calmer.
Nearby attractions
- Gwanghwamun Gate 0.0 km · Historic site
- National Palace Museum of Korea 0.2 km · Museum & gallery
- K-Keolcheo Seukeurin(Daehanmingugyeoksabakmulgwan) K-컬처 스크린(대한민국역사박물관) 0.2 km · Experience
- National Museum of Korean Contemporary History 0.2 km · Museum & gallery
- Dongsipjagak 동십자각 0.2 km · Historic site
- Sejong-ro Park 0.3 km · City park
- Hanboknam - Gyeongbokgung Branch 0.3 km · Traditional experience
- Garden of Gratitude 0.3 km · City park