Gyeongbokgung Palace History

I am the person who has visited Gyeongbokgung the most among Koreans. I have also studied Gyeongbokgung a lot. Today I'll try to explain the Gyeongbokgung palace history as simply as possible. If you are reading this article, your level of intelligence is at the master level of Gyeongbokgung.

 

Index

Operating hours

Ticket Price

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Tips (Ceremony Times, Efficient route)

 

Operating hours

March ~ May: 09:00m ~ 18:00

June ~ August: 9am – 6:30pm

September ~ October: 9am – 6pm

November ~ February: 9am – 5pm

The last admission is one hour prior to closing.

The palace is closed on Tuesdays. If Tuesday is a holiday, open and close the next day

 

Ticket Price

Adults – 3,000 won

Children (ages 7 – 18) – 1,500 won

Children (six and younger), seniors (65+), and anyone wearing hanbok gets in for free.

Admission is free for everyone on Culture Day – the last Wednesday of every month.

 

Gwanghwamun Gate - Gyeongbokgung palace history

It is the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gwanghwa, the name of the building, means 'light that shines far', and at the time it was built Its name was Gwanghwamun by the scholars of Jiphyeonjeon Hall.

Next to Gwanghwamun is a legendary animal statue called Haetae. This Haetae is an imaginary animal with a straightforward personality that will hit or bite someone who is guilty of lying or cheating. It is a symbol of justice. It is said that this statue originally stood in front of the Supreme Investigation Agency of Joseon. The same is true for the current prosecution. It was meant to emulate the character of the Joseon officials: Haitai, who always had to uphold justice and reveal the truth.

 

 Gyeonghoeru Pavilion - Gyeongbokgung palace history

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which is built in the northwest pond of the Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace. When there was a celebration in the country or an envoy came, a banquet was held there.

It was built in the pond using long, well-polished stones. This created a square island. That pavilion was built in it. Three stone bridges were placed to connect it to the ground. The largest single-level palace in Korea, the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is a valuable architectural heritage. It shows the characteristics of castle architecture in the late Joseon Dynasty.

 

Chimneys in Amisan Garden - Gyeongbokgung palace history

King Taejong dug a large pond to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. He built the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion on the pond. He used the soil from the pond to create an artificial hill in the backyard of Gyotaejeon Hall. It is called Amisan Mountain. The Amisan chimneys were built in 1865. They were designed to emit smoke that passed through a heated floor in the queen's chambers at Gyotaejeon.
There are four chimneys in total. They are engraved with different harmonious patterns and designs. Such as a vine, a red-crested white crane, a bat, a phoenix, a pine tree, a Japanese apricot tree, a chrysanthemum, an herb of eternal youth, a rock, a bird, and a deer.
Baked bricks were used to arrange each pattern and every space between the bricks was filled with a layer of lime. Other patterns were also drawn. These include sipjangsaeng, the four gracious plants(plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo). Patterns that symbolise longevity, wealth and rank. And auspicious animals to ward off evil spirits.

 

Hyangwonjeong Pavilion - Gyeongbokgung palace history

The Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is located in the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace, on an islet in the center of a square pond called Hyangwonji. It was surrounded by lotus flowers. The square-shaped Hyangwonji Pond has rounded corners and is inhabited by carp and water plants, including lotus flowers. Hyangwonjeong is the most famous structure in the magnificent back garden of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It was used by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty and their family members as a place to relax. It has harmonious proportions and a graceful appearance, as well as exceptionally beautiful architectural features such as the hexagonal foundation stone and hipped roof.

 

Sajeongjeon Hall - Gyeongbokgung palace history

Sajeongjeon Hall was one of the two most important buildings in Gyeongbokgung Palace. The other was the Throne Hall, or Geunjeongjeon, where many of the Joseon rulers spent most of their time working and relaxing. The hall has been preserved in its original state since 1867. It is considered a valuable source of information on the architectural style and layout of palace buildings in the Joseon Dynasty.

 

Geunjeongmun Gate and Corridor - Gyeongbokgung palace history

The gate as it stands today was rebuilt along with the rest of Gyeongbokgung in 1876. Geunjeongjeon Hall is surrounded by Haenggak, a rectangular gallery with two corridors that was originally one. The style and structure of the hall are generally simple.
It is a source for the study of palace architecture and an important cultural treasure.

 

Geunjeongjeon - Gyeongbokgung palace history

Geunjeongjeon was built in 1394, and is the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace. Officials assembled in this hall to wish the kings a Happy New Year. This place has also been used by kings for the conduct of state affairs, the holding of national ceremonies and the reception of foreign envoys. It was in this court that the kings of the early years of the Joseon Dynasty, including King Jeongjong, ascended the throne. Its name, Geunjeong, literally means 'diligent policy', reflecting the idea that diligence makes for a wise ruler.

Behind the throne, there is a folding screen and a canopy located over the throne. The roofs are supported by various wooden poles. Stones are placed on both sides of the corridor from Geunjeongjeon to Geunjeongmun Gate to indicate the ranks of the officials.

 

Chimney with Ten Symbols of Longevity in Relief - Gyeongbokgung palace history

This square chimney used to be built into the wall of Jagyeongjeon Hall, where Jodaebi (Queen Sinjeong) used to sleep. It was engraved with sipjangsaeng in the centre. Sipjangsaeng is a design of animals and trees symbolising longevity. This pattern was made to express a longing for Jodaebi's longevity, and is known as the most typically Korean pattern. The chimney was made of bricks and had a tiled roof. It was shaped so that the smoke came out at the top. It fulfils its function not only as a chimney but also as a work of art. It is considered the most beautiful chimney in the Joseon Dynasty.

 

Jibokjae House - Gyeongbokgung palace history

This building, which looks a little different compared to the others in the palace and their traditional Korean architecture, is called ‘Jibokjae.’ Jibokjae means ‘place for accumulating treasure.’ So, you might ask, what kind of treasure did it contain?This may be disappointing. But the treasure is actually books, which for some people are more valuable than precious metals and stones. Thus this place came to be called the Royal Library. The books are currently housed at Seoul National University.

 

Tips (Guide Tour, Ceremony Times, Efficient route)

Guide Tour

Free guided tours in English are available at 11:00, 13:00, and 15:30.

Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at the top of every hour from 11:00 to 15:00.

Ceremony Times

Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony (Gwanghwamun Gate – main gate): 10:00, 14:00 (20 mins)

Gwanghwamun Gate Guard on Duty Ceremony: 11:00, 13:00 (10 mins)

Efficient route

I am trying to explain the most famous place in Gyeongbokgung to you.

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