[Seoul] Jongno > Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁/景福宮) : Getting There

Now, we are going to Gyeongbokgung Palace by subway. How to get there? Very easy! Just follow me!!

0. Check the Opening Hours, First!

IMPORTANT : Closed on Tuesdays!! & Check the Final Admission Time!!!!

Click here to view more information about Gyeongbokgung Palace (Opening Hours, Free Guided Tour, and Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony).

1. How to Get There by Subway (Seoul Metro)

There are two ways :

1. Gyeongbokgung station on line 3, Exit 5 (Walk 5 min, shortest way)
2. Gwanghwamun station on line 5, Exit 9 (Walk 10 min, via Gwanghwamun Square)

Which one is better? I will show you both ways, then choose!

Route A. From Gyeongbokgung station on Line 3

Summary :

1. Take the subway line 3
2. Get off at Gyeongbokgung (Government Complex-Seoul) station
3. Go out through Exit 5
4. Go straight up

Detail :

Get off at Gyeongbokgung (Government Complex-Seoul) station, Line 3.

Go out through Exit 5. It takes about 5 min on foot from here to the ticket office.

Actually, nothing to see on the way. But I think this path is better when it’s very hot(or cold) outside.

Keep going through this underpass! Go, Go, Go!

300 meters more!

Now, Exit 5

Oooops! Closed!!

You need to check the opening hours before you go… Don’t be a fool like me…

So, I came here again…

Go straight through this small gate, then you can see the ticket office.

After passing through the gate, you can see two big gates (shown in the picture below).

• Left : Heungnyemun(흥례문/興禮門), the middle gate. Admission here!
• Right : Gwanghwamun(광화문/光化門), the main gate of Gyeongbokgung.
• You can see the Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony here! (See more)

(Continued on #2)

Route B. From Gwanghwamun station on Line 5

Summary :

1. Take the subway line 5
2. Get off at Gwanghwamun (Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) station
3. Go out through Exit 9 (Gwanghwamun Square)
4. Go straight up

Detail :

Get off at Gwanghwamun (Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) station, Line 5.

Go out through Exit 9 (Gwanghwamun Square). It takes about 10 min on foot from here to ticket office. (takes more time than Route A, but more things to see)

Can you see a lion-like symbol in the picture below? That is called Haechi, the symbol of Seoul. You will meet its original sculpture soon!

Let’s go out through Exit 9.

Look around! You’re just arrived at Gwanghwamun Square(광화문광장/光化門廣場).

There is a status behind you. The statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin with a water fountain in honor of his achievements.

Go straight until the end of this street! There’s no shade here for a rest. So, I think Route A is better when it’s too hot(or cold) to walk on.

This street was the main street of Hanyang(old Seoul), connected to Gwanghwamun Gate(the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace). It is also of historical significant as the location of royal administrative buildings, known as Yukjo-geori(Street of Six Ministries).

Keep going! On the way, you can see the status of King Sejong the Great of Joseon. He oversaw the creation of Hangul(Korean alphabet) and encouraged advancements of scientific technology.

Now, you can see the Gwanghwamun Gate(the main gate of Gyeongbokgung) and palace wall.

Ooooops! The gate is closed!!

Closed on Every Tuesdays. Check the opening hours before you go.

When the gate is open, you can see Gatekeepers(Royal Guard). And you can also see the Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony (6 times a day, check the schedule). Let’s go and take a photo with them!

Cross the street.

On the way, you can see two sculptures of Haechi beside the Gwanghwamun Gate. They are protecting the palace with Royal Guard!!

The Haechi is a mythical animal. Koreans believed the Haechi to be an highly moral animal, and they were considered guardians against fire and other natural disasters, as well as a bringer of happiness and good fortune.

Go through the Gwanghwamun Gate(the main gate), then you can see the Heungnyemun Gate(the middle gate).

2. Admission

Buy ticket (before final admission time)

• Adult (age 19 ~ 64) : KRW 3,000 (= approx. USD 2.7)
• Youth (age 7 ~ 18) : KRW 1,500 (= approx. USD 1.35)
• Child (age under 6) / Senior (age 65 and above) : Free (ID must be shown at the ticket window)

You can also buy a guide book (KRW 500 = approx. USD 0.45) or rent a portable audio guiding player (KRW 3000 = approx. USD 2.7).

Enter through the Heungnyemun Gate (the middle gate).

If you want to join the Free Guided Tour, wait in front of Gyeongbokgung Information Center inside the Heungnyemun Gate. Before you go, check the free guided tour time (view more).

Have fun!