Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. At its height it contained over 330 buildings across a vast walled compound; today about 30 percent has been restored, with ongoing reconstruction continuing. The Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Gwanghwamun Gate runs at 10am and 2pm daily except Tuesdays, with guards in traditional Joseon military costume performing a ceremony that takes about 20 minutes. Entry to the palace in traditional hanbok clothing is free — dress hire stalls line the streets outside.
Jongno-gu: closest, most historically connected
Jongno-gu is the historic administrative heart of Seoul, immediately adjacent to Gyeongbokgung. Hotels here range from traditional hanok guesthouses — courtyard-centred wooden buildings — to modern business hotels. Bukchon Hanok Village, the best-preserved traditional residential neighbourhood in Seoul, is a fifteen-minute walk from the palace and is often combined in a morning visit.
Insadong, the antiques and craft street that has been Jongno's cultural artery for decades, is within the same walking radius. The combination of palace, Bukchon and Insadong makes this zone the richest single area in Seoul for historical and cultural interest.
Practical note: Gyeongbokgung is closed every Tuesday. Plan your palace visit on any other day of the week.
Insadong: mid-range value, interesting neighbourhood
The Insadong area itself has a concentration of guesthouses and boutique hotels at mid-range prices. Insadong-gil (the main street) has galleries, tea houses, Korean traditional craft shops and restaurants that serve a local-ish clientele as well as tourists. It is a more interesting street to wake up on than a generic hotel district.
The Gyeongbokgung walk from Insadong takes about 20 minutes on foot or two stops on the metro (Line 3, Anguk station). The National Folk Museum of Korea is within the palace grounds — included in the palace entry (3,000 KRW, approximately £1.70) — and adds another two hours to the visit if you want it.
Hongdae: youth culture, nightlife, less convenient for the palace
Hongdae is Seoul's university and youth culture district — live music venues, street art, late-night restaurants and bars, a weekend market. It is 30 minutes' metro from Gyeongbokgung (transfer at City Hall). For visitors who want evenings that extend past 10pm, Hongdae is the right base. It does not suit visitors whose priorities are the palace and the historical city.
The National Palace Museum of Korea
Adjacent to the south end of the palace grounds, the National Palace Museum houses the court artifacts of the Joseon dynasty — royal seals, ceramics, court dress, astronomical instruments. It is free to enter and undervisited relative to its quality. Allow 90 minutes after the palace itself.
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