Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongbokgung served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings’ households, as well as the government of Joseon. Gyeongbokgung Palace is also a symbol of 14th-century Korea, striking a muted balance between beauty and simplicity.
Gyeongbokgung was built three years after Joseon dynasty was founded. With Mount Bugak as a backdrop and the Street of Six Ministries (today’s Sejongno) outside Gwanghwamun Gate, the main entrance to the palace, Gyeongbokgung was situated in the heart of the Korean capital city.
Gyeongbokgung Palace was left derelict during 273 years and rebuilt in 1867. Unfortunately, due to its status as the symbol of national sovereignty, Gyeongbokgung was demolished during the Japanese occupation. Restoration efforts have been ongoing since 1990.
In 1995, the Japanese General Government Building, after many controversial debates about its fate, was demolished in order to reconstruct Heungnyemun Gate and its cloisters. The National Museum of Korea, then located on the palace grounds, was relocated to Yongsan-gu in 2005. By the end of 2009, it was estimated that approximately 40 percent of the structures that were standing before the Japanese occupation of Korea were restored or reconstructed. As a part of phase 5 of the Gyeongbokgung restoration initiative, Gwanghwamun, the main gate to the palace, was restored to its original design. Another 20-year restoration project is planned by the South Korean government to restore Gyeongbokgung to its former status.
Then.. let’s talk about some building in Gyeongbokgung Palace’s complex.
1. Gwanghamun
Gwanghamun is the main and largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is located at a three-way intersection at the northern end of Sejongno. The gate has gone through multiple periods of destruction and disrepair. Restoration work on the gate was finished and it was opened to the public on August 15, 2010.
The area in front of Gwanghwamun, known as the Gwanghwamun Plaza, actually was opened as a public open space on 1 August 2009. Because of huge visitors usually watch the changing of the guards at this main gate, on 23 September 2012, Seoul Metropolitan Government started on a trial basis, a 550-m designated section of Sejong-ro as pedestrian-only but permitted for cyclists. The section includes the road from the Gwanghwamun three-way intersection, along Gwanghwamun Plaza in front of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts to the Sejong-ro intersection.
2. Gangnyeongjeon Hall
Gangnyeongjeon Hall is a building which used as the king’s main residing quarters. It was built in 1395, the building contains the king’s bed chamber (visitors can also see inside from outside the building). This building was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and was rebuilt when Gyeongbokgung was reconstructed in 1867, but it was again burned down by a major fire in November 1876 and had to be restored in 1888 following the orders of King Gojong.
Gangnyeongjeon consists of corridors and fourteen rectangular chambers, each seven chambers located to the left and right side of the building in a layout out like a checkerboard. The king used the central chamber while the court attendants occupied the remaining side chambers to protect, assist, and to receive orders. The building rests on top of a tall stone foundation, and a stone deck or veranda is located in front of the building.
3. Geunjeongjeon Hall also known as Throne Hall
Geunjeongjeon Hall, is the throne hall where the king formally granted audiences to his officials, gave declarations of national importance, and greeted foreign envoys and ambassadors during the Joseon dynasty. Geunjeongjeon was originally constructed in 1395 during the reign of King Taejo, but was burned down in 1592 when the Japanese invaded Korea. The present building was built in 1867 when Gyeongbokgung was being reconstructed.
Geunjeongmun is aligned and located directly to the south of Geunjeongjeon. It is also the main gate to the courtyard and to Geunjeongjeon. The gate is divided into three separate aisles, and only the king was allowed to walk through the center.
4. Gyeonghoeru
Gyeonghoeru , also known as Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, is a hall used to hold important and special state banquets during the Joseon Dynasty. The first Gyeonghoeru was constructed in 1412, but was burned down during the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592.
Constructed mainly of wood and stone, Gyeonghoeru has a form where the wooden structure of the building sits on top of 48 massive stone pillars, with wooden stairs connecting the second floor to the first floor. The outer perimeters of Gyeonghoeru are supported by square pillars while the inner columns are cylindrical.
5. Gyotaejeon Hall
Gyotaejeon Hall is a building used as the main residing quarters by the queen during the Joseon Dynasty. The building is located behind Gangnyeongjeon, the king’s quarters, and contains the queen’s bed chamber. It was first constructed in around 1440.
The building was burned down in 1592 when the Japanese invaded Korea, but was reconstructed in 1867. The current building was reconstructed in 1994 according to its original design and specifications.
6. Sajeongjeon Hall
Sajeongjeon Hall is a building used as the main executive office by the king during the Joseon Dynasty. Located behind Geunjeongjeon Hall, the king carried out his executive duties and held meetings with the top government officials in Sajeongjeon.
7. Donggung
Donggung, located south of the Hyangwonjeong pavilion, was the compound where the crown prince and his wife were living. Dongdung was razed to the ground during the Japanese occupation. The restoration started in 1999, only Jaseondang and Bihyeongak were restored.
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Well, that are some building which captured with my camera. Honestly, I did not visited every single buildings because they look like similar, haha. There are some buildings such as Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, Jagyeongjeon Hall, Jibokjae, and Governor-General’s Residence, etc, that I could not explain in here. I have no enough photos and information about that. On other hand, I can share to you some photos that are look like very famous and photoable but I forgot what are the name of these building/spot, hehe.
Have no idea about this pillar. But every guides explain about this pillar to their visitors. Unluckily, they all explained not in English.
When you are planning to visit this place, there are some information that should be you knew:
- Their operating hours are 09:00 – 18:00 (except Jan – Feb and Nov – Dec they only open until 17:00. They open almost every day, except Tuesday.
- Admission for international tourist: Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won and Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won. But FREE, if you are using Korean traditional clothing, hanbok.
If you hope to get an interpreter, they also accommodate their visitors the interpretation services with terms:
Tours depart from in front of the information center at Heungnyemun Gate
A. Duration: About 1 hr-1 hr 30 min
B. Tour Schedule: English: 11:00, 13:30, 15:30, Japanese: 10:00, 12:30, 14:30, Chinese: 10:30, 13:00, 15:00
HIGHLIGHT !!
Changing Gatekeepers Performance
A long time ago, the royal guards of Joseon Dynasty had a task by guarding the Gwanghwamun Gate, the entrance of Gyeongbokgung Palace where the king ruled the country. The re-enactment of the original ceremony was begun from 1996. The gate guardsmen serve their sentry, perform the changing of the guards, and hold a parade. The guards’ uniforms, weapons, and accessories as well as their strict ceremonial procedures catch the eyes of passers-by, especially foreign tourists, when guardsmen perform the changing of guards in traditional costumes at the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in downtown Seoul. Since it is hard to experience traditional events in such a big city like Seoul, citizens and tourist really enjoy and love it. It takes place every day except Tuesday.
Must be highlighted! The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience. It is a rare traditional scene in Korea. Be sure to bring a camera to take lots of pictures. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colours, are a real pleasure to see. If you have some much time to spend in this palace, make sure to visit the palace and enjoy the beauty of Korean palaces following the ceremonies.
Performance times:
Sumunjang (Royal Guard) Changing Ceremony
10:00, 14:00 / 20 minutes per ceremony
Gwanghwamun Gate Guard-on-Duty Performance
11:00, 13:00 / 10 minutes per ceremony
Sumungun (Gatekeeper) Military Training (outside Hyeopsaengmun Gate)
09:35, 13:35 / 15 minutes per ceremony
Additional Events
Sumungun (Gatekeeper) Costume Experience
1. Venue: Sumunjangcheong Building
2. Time: before and after the Guard Changing Ceremony and the Guard-on-Duty Performance (closed on Tuesdays)
That are all the detail informations which I can share to you guys. Hopefully this informations are useful for all of you.
Cheers,
Ria
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