Sights · Our pick in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung
The great palace of Joseon
The principal palace of the Joseon dynasty, below Bugaksan: the throne hall, the lotus-pond pavilion of Gyeonghoeru and the gate at Gwanghwamun.
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Hschrijver · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons1 / 3
Our take
- Come at opening time
- Closed one day a week
- Address
- Gwanghwamun, Seoul
- Nearest metro
- Gyeongbokgung
500 m · 7 min walk
More distances - Website
- royal.khs.go.kr
About Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung was the principal royal palace of the Joseon dynasty (Royal Palaces and Tombs, royal.khs.go.kr). Behind Gwanghwamun gate lie the throne hall, Geunjeongjeon, and the pavilion of Gyeonghoeru on its lotus pond; the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum stand within its grounds.
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Gyeongbokgung before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Gyeongbokgung, as the crow flies.
- Four Seasons Hotel Seoul1.1 km13 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Gyeongbokgung are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 12 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro stations
- GyeongbokgungLine 3500 m7 min walk
- AngukLine 3900 m11 min walk
- GwanghwamunLine 5900 m11 min walk
Key sights
- Bukchon800 mWalk 10 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Changdeokgung1.4 kmWalk 17 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 13 min
- The DDP3.2 kmWalk 41 minCycle 16 minCar or taxi 19 min
- N Seoul Tower3.3 kmWalk 42 minCycle 17 minCar or taxi 19 min
- COEX10 kmCar or taxi 43 min
- Lotte World Tower13 kmCar or taxi 53 min
Main railway stations
- Seoul Station2.7 kmWalk 34 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 17 min
- Yongsan Station5.7 kmCycle 29 minCar or taxi 27 min
- Suseo Station (SRT)15 kmCar or taxi 57 min
Location
The map comes from Google Maps, which sets its own cookies once it loads.
Read next
SightsGwanghwamun SquareThe great avenue before Gwanghwamun gate, with Gyeongbokgung behind and Bugaksan above.
Arts & CultureHanbok in the palacesTraditional dress worn for a palace visit: a Seoul custom with rules of its own at the palace gates.Arts & CultureNational Palace Museum of KoreaThe treasures of the Joseon court, in the grounds of Gyeongbokgung.