Gyeongbok Palace Tour (Rise and Shine)

Gyeongbokgung tour – What to Expect

Our Gyeongbok Palace tour is perfect for those who have an appetite for history and love to follow in the footsteps of the kings and queens from the Joseon Dynasty. One of our most popular Tours in Seoul, our itinerary takes you through the key areas of the city that have a cultural significance.

You will visit Gyeongbok Palace (Gyeongbokgung) one of the 5 grand palaces and the one favoured by the Joseon Kings as their main residence. It showcases extraordinary architecture, beautiful colours, patterns and pretty gardens.

Gyeongbokgung was originally built in 1395 under King Taejo, but the grounds were further expanded during the reign of King Taejong and King Sejong the Great.

Today only a few of the buildings from the 19th century were able to survive both the Japanese occupation of Korea and the Korean War. These buildings include Geunjeongjeon Hall, Hyangwonjeong Pavilion and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. So be sure to ask your tour guide lots of questions and take an extra close look at these unique pieces of architectural history during our tour.

Gyeongbok Palace tour – Course Overview

Our Gyeongbokgung tour itinerary begins by picking you up from your hotel in Seoul. We will head over to Jogyesa which is the most important Buddhist temple in all of Korea. We will watch the famous Changing of the Guard Ceremony, so you better have your camera charged and ready to go!

Our next stop will be Gyeongbokgung Palace which contains thousands of years of history and is one of the most important highlights of Seoul. Then, we will explore Cheongwadae Sarangchae where we will learn about Korean politics. Finally, we will stop by a shopping center before dropping you off in Myeongdong, which is a central location and will allow you to continue your day as you wish!

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover the essence of the city and its rich history with our full day Seoul City Tour!

Jogyesa Temple – Discover the Heart of Korean Buddhism

Our Gyeongbok Palace tour begins with a visit to Jogyesa Temple. As the principal temple of the Jogye Order, this monument has stood the test of time.

Jogyesa was built in 1395 and features a mix of both royal and temple architectural elements. Here you will see the golden Buddha statues and the iconic lanterns of Jogyesa.

You will be able to explore the Hill of Supreme Bliss (Geuknakjeon) which is where the Buddha was enshrined. Jogyesa features the Daeungjeon (Main Buddha Hall) which is decorated with pine wood from the Baekdu Mountain. Here, you will be able to hear holy chanting.

Don’t forget to visit the main temple courtyard where you will see the Chinese Scholar Tree that is more than 500 years old!

Changing of the Guard – Witness an Iconic Ceremony

Our Gyeongbokgung tour would not be complete without seeing the famous Changing of the Guard Ceremony! This ritual has persisted through time and has been carried out in the exact same way for more than 400 years!

Here you will see the royal palace guards (Wanggung Sumunjang) dressed in colorful royal uniforms and marching in specific formations.

The guards carry traditional weapons and accompany the march with music. Don’t miss the chance to observe such a fascinating and entertaining ritual!

Soak Up the Timeless History and Resilience of Gyeongbokgung

The main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung is a real historical and cultural treasure. A part of the Five Grand Palaces, the structure was built all the way back in 1395 and has gone through a lot of turmoil over the years.

In the 20th century during the Japanese occupation, the palace was badly destroyed with 90 percent of the buildings being completely demolished. An active restoration took place in the year 1990 which is why today you will see all of the structures in a good condition, still bearing the marks of history on their walls.

Gyeongbok Palace is built against the backdrop of the stunning Mount Bugak which makes it the perfect place for photos.

You will walk through the main entrance and follow your tour guide who will select the best route for your group. Some of the major highlights here include Geunjeongjeon (the Throne Hall) where you can see a beautiful ornate ceiling with lots of architectural detail.

There is also the private royal library, Jibokje, which is the home to many different books from around the globe.

You will notice heavy Chinese influence when it comes to the design of this two-floor building. Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is one of the most beautiful parts of the palace, surrounded by tranquil water and trees.

In 2011, there was a poll conducted among tourists where the results showed that Gyeongbokgung was the number one most scenic place to visit in all of Seoul! See what it’s all about on our Gyeongbokgung Palace tour!

Please note: Gyeongbok Palace is closed every Tuesday, and so on Tuesdays only we will visit the lovely Deoksu Palace instead.

Cheongwadae Sarangchae – Get Familiar with Korea’s Presidents

Are you interested in history and politics? Then the last stop on our Gyeongbok Palace tour – Cheongwadae Sarangchae is the perfect place for you! The exhibition which is located right in front of the Blue House has two floors.

The first floor presents exhibitions that vary in themes, such as traditional clothing, food, and music. Right next to the exhibition hall, you will find a souvenir shop where you can buy magnets, cups, t-shirts, and key chains for your friends or for yourself in order to remember the experience.

The second floor is dedicated to politics and takes you through the timeline of each Korean president’s governance, coupled with interesting facts and photos. Here, you will also find a map of the most beautiful and noteworthy places to visit in the country.

Please note: Cheongwadae Sarangchae is closed every Monday.

Are you looking to dive into Korea’s history and culture? Then our Gyeongbok Palace tour is the perfect choice for you! Don’t miss the chance to follow in the footsteps of royal history, see the President’s home, and witness an iconic ceremony!