3 Lucky Things Happen in Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul

Date of Visited: 12th September 2011

Since we done shopping around MyeongDong, Dongdaemun and Namdaemun on the second day; having such an exhilarating thrills and extreme ride in Everland Resort, South Korea's largest theme park on the third day; and also enjoyed the romantic and relax feelings at one of the top Korean's drama scene, Nami Island on the fourth day; hence visiting royal palace of Seoul on our fifth day of the trip is a must when in South Korea.

Talking about royal palace of Seoul, there are Five Grand Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, Changyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung) which built during the Joseon Dynasty are highly recommended to visit. But because of time constraint, we decided to choose to visit only two of these palaces; Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. Unfortunately it was Monday that day and Changdeokgung was closed. So at the end, we only able to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace. Despite the closure of Changdeokgung, listed as one of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, my friends and I are truly blessed with three lucky things happened when visited Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Gwanghwamun, the main and south gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace

#1 Lucky Things Happen: We managed to witness a reenactment of the changing of the royal guard  exactly by the time we reached Gyeongbokgung Palace. We thought we're late and might miss out of this but thank goodness, we didn't.




Once the changing of the royal guard ended, it's time to buy admission ticket but we noticed that all the counters are closed. We're puzzled and wondering how could we enter to the main palace without the any valid ticket. Without wait any longer, immediately we walked closer to the counter to see if there any notification.


#2 Lucky Things Happen: No wonder it was closed because it was free admission to everyone. Yes, we managed to save another 3,000 won again. Wondering why it was free? So coincidentally, it was Thanksgiving day in South Korea.

Now let me bring you for an insight tour of  Gyeongbokgung Palace

Geunjeongjeon Hall, the Throne Hall.

The main reason why people are drawn to Gyeongbokgung Palace is because it is arguably the most beautiful and remains the grandest of all five palaces. Commonly referred as "Northern Palace" due to its location which located furthest north if compared to the other neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeongheegung (Western Palace), Gyeongbokgung Palace is undeniable to become Seoul's most prominent palaces that offers a different kind of experience for different type of people; no matter whether the visitors are either local or even foreigners like us.

 

Gangnyeongjeon Hall (King's Main Residing Quarters)

One of the exhibition on the revival of life in the palace.

As I walking more further, I saw another beautiful and unique building situated behind of Gyeongbokgung Palace. I tends to forget that I was losing my sight from my friends as I was non-stop from pressing my camera shutter button until I came across National Folk Museum of Korea.

The National Folk Museum of Korea - where showcase of the lifestyle of Korean people from the prehistoric.

Because it was Thanksgiving Day, there are few activities were organised by the local outside the museum and I was more attracted to that instead of visiting the museum. Not until I saw one of the stall was organising this:

#3 Lucky Things Happen: Free trying of Hanbok - Korean traditional costume. I was willing to wait like more than 30 minutes just to have free photography session of this. Thanks goodness that my other friends who didn't knew where I went and what I did were patiently waiting for me.

Immediately done with this, I went back to look for my friends. Poor them, were sitting down nearby the main gate without complaining and angrily scolded me. I am truly blessed to have a group of friends like them and that's why I clarified them as the best travelmates I ever have.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion (Royal Banquet Hall)

The day where all of us became prince and princess of Seoul. #sioksendiri

The admission fee for adult is 3,000 won and for child is 1,500 won. However, if you are interested to visit all the Grand Palaces except for Gyeonghuigung Palace which is excluded, you are recommended to purchase the Integrated Ticket of Palaces which cost 10,000 won only.

How to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace:

Gyeongbokgung Station, Subway Line 3 - Exit 5

[Credit To: Official Korean Tourism Organisation, Wikipedia]