Gyeongbokgung Palace: Seoul’s Royal Gem

Gyeongbokgung is Seoul’s royal palace with about 500 buildings.

Gyeongbokgung is a former royal palace in Seoul, South Korea.

Joseon dynasty established Gyeongbokgung in 1395 as their first palace.

Sejong the Great renovated and expanded the palace during his reign.

Hangul script was created at the palace by King Sejong’s scholars.

Gyeongbokgung was completely burned down in the 1592 Imjin War.

King Gojong ordered palace reconstruction starting in 1865, finishing 1888.

In 1910, the palace underwent major changes and sales of buildings.

By 1945, about 40 original palace buildings remained from 500.

Restoration from 1990 to 2010 restored 89 buildings at Gyeongbokgung.

The palace’s changing of the guard ceremony was revived in 2002.

Gyeongbokgung hosts the National Folk Museum and Palace Museum today.

Visitors wearing hanbok get free entry, adding to the traditional charm.