Gyeongbokgung Palace Deep History Tour - Expert Guide & National Folk Museum of Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Depth with an Expert Guide

Begin your tour at Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and its Woldae (stone terrace). Learn about the history of the restored Woldae and Gwanghwamun, and understand how Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was damaged during the Japanese colonial period, regained its current appearance.

Step inside the palace, cross Geumcheon (the inner stream) and Yeongjegyo (the stone bridge), and proceed to the central area of the royal residence. Examine the stone guardians around the bridge and the symbolic ornaments placed throughout the palace. Move beyond simply admiring the beautiful architecture to understanding the meaning behind each space.


Spaces Where the King Governed and the Royal Family Lived

At Geunjeongjeon, where important state events were held, explore how the central spaces of the palace were designed. Then, wander around the Sajeongjeon area, where the king conducted daily affairs, and hear stories about Joseon's politics and the king's role.

From Gangnyeongjeon, the king's living quarters, to Gyotaejeon, the queen's living quarters, shift your focus to the daily life of the royal family. By examining the structure and decorations of the buildings, you can learn how Confucian order and the lifestyle of the people at the time were reflected in the palace spaces.


From Gyeonghoeru to the National Folk Museum

At Gyeonghoeru, built on a pond, admire the beauty of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the surrounding scenery and architecture harmonize like a single scene. Afterward, move to Geoncheonggung to encounter traces of modernization in the late Joseon Dynasty and stories of a turbulent era, including the assassination of Queen Min.

Finally, visit the National Folk Museum of Korea to explore the lives of ordinary people outside the royal court. Through seasonal foods, clothing, traditional housing, ondol heating, and major life ceremonies, you can gain a more three-dimensional understanding of the lives of people in the Joseon Dynasty.

Main Course:
Gwanghwamun & Woldae → Yeongjegyo → Geunjeongjeon → Sajeongjeon Area → Gangnyeongjeon → Gyotaejeon → Gyeonghoeru → Geoncheonggung → National Folk Museum of Korea