Gyeongbokgung Night Visit & Cheonggyecheon Walk — A Peaceful Night in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace: Exploring a Historic Royal Landmark

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace served as the main royal palace during the Joseon Dynasty. Its name, “Gyeongbok,” symbolises prosperity and fortune for the new dynasty. Though it endured destruction during the Imjin War (1592) and later during the Japanese occupation, a major restoration project has been ongoing since 1990, bringing the palace back to its former glory.

Walking through the gates today, you can feel the weight of its history combined with the care of restoration efforts.

Visiting Gyeongbokgung: Hours & Entry Tips

• General Opening Hours (Closed Tuesdays):
• March–May & September–October: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)
• June–August: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry 5:30 PM)
• November–February: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)

• Night Opening (Limited Seasonal Event)
• Spring & Fall only, some areas may be restricted
• Hours: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM (last entry 8:30 PM)
• Tickets: 3,000 KRW (pre-booking recommended)
• On-site tickets for foreign visitors: 300, first-come-first-served (max 2 tickets per passport)

💡 Free Entry: Children under 6, seniors 65+, visitors wearing hanbok

Highlights Inside Gyeongbokgung

Passing Heungnyemun Gate and crossing the stone bridge to Geunjeongmun, the palace unfolds dramatically before your eyes.

Special Ceremonies

• During the day, you might catch:

• Royal Guard Changing Ceremony: 10:00 AM & 2:00 PM (20 min)

• Guard Duty Performance: 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM (10 min)

• Guard Training Session: 9:35 AM & 1:35 PM (15 min)

Evening Highlights: What I Experienced

Heungnyemun Gate

Entering just as the sunset painted the sky golden, it felt like the perfect start to an evening tour.

Geunjeongjeon Hall

Normally open for visitors, the hall was closed for a traditional music rehearsal. Even standing outside, the music echoing through the courtyard created a magical atmosphere.

Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

Illuminated at night, the pavilion reflected perfectly on the pond—truly breathtaking.

Gyotaejeon & Amisan Chimneys

Behind the queen’s quarters, the Amisan Chimneys, decorated with protective animal figures, glowed softly under the evening lights.

Gwanghwamun Gate

The night illumination completely transforms the gate’s presence. I also admired the japsang roof figures and phoenix ceiling paintings, each symbolising harmony and prosperity.

Entering Gyeongbokgung Palace just as the sky turned softly golden at sunset.

At Geunjeongjeon Hall, the main hall for royal ceremonies and receiving foreign envoys, a Korean traditional music rehearsal was taking place. The area was restricted, so I couldn’t see the inside, but I got to enjoy the rehearsal instead.

A Korean bell — a traditional instrument decorated with dragons and colourful ornaments, showcasing Korea’s rich artistry.

The rear view of Geunjeongjeon Hall, while the rehearsal was still in progress.

The information signboard for Sajeongjeon Hall, explaining its royal function and history.

Rear view of Sajeongjeon Hall and the surrounding courtyard

Inside Sajeongjeon, the toned-down wooden interior highlights the king’s red desk and chair — the focal point of the room.

After the ticket check at Heungnyemun Gate, everyone crossed the stone bridge leading to Geunjeongmun Gate, which directly faces Geunjeongjeon Hall.

During the evening opening hours, many people — some wearing hanbok — passed through Geunjeongmun Gate toward the main courtyard.

A rehearsal at Geunjeongjeon Hall drew a crowd; many stopped to watch the performance.

Gangnyeongjeon Hall – the royal sleeping quarters of the king.

Behind Gyotaejeon Hall, the Amisan Chimneys rise beautifully. Built in 1866 during King Gojong’s reign, these chimneys vented smoke from the queen’s ondol room. The chimneys are adorned with protective animal figures meant to ward off fire and evil spirits.

The roof figures (Japsang) — small clay figurines of humans and animals placed along the roof edges to prevent misfortune. 

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at dusk, viewed from the side.

The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion front view as the sun set lower.

As darkness deepened, the pavilion lights turned on, creating a breathtaking night view.

The Gwanghwamun Gate illuminated at night — a completely different charm from the daytime view.

Curved eaves under Gwanghwamun during daytime – taken from the same angle as the photo below.

Looking up at the curved eaves under Gwanghwamun, I admire the graceful beauty of Korean traditional architecture.

The three arched entrances of Gwanghwamun Gate, each decorated with unique ceiling paintings — twin phoenixes, dragons, and turtles. The one above me featured twin phoenixes, symbolising harmony and prosperity. - through the door, Gwanghwamun Square can be seen. 

How to Get There

• Subway:
• Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3, Exit 5)
• Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5, Exit 2)

• Parking: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM (small cars 3,000 KRW/hr; medium/large 5,000 KRW/hr; extra 800 KRW/10 min)

Public transportation is highly recommended for convenience.

👉Gyeongbokgung is conveniently accessible for tourists. For those interested in exploring other nearby royal palaces, please see more information [here].

Cheonggyecheon Stream Walk: A Peaceful Urban Escape

After leaving the palace, I walked 15 minutes from Gwanghwamun Plaza to the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Restored between 2003–2005, this 10.84 km urban stream offers a surprisingly tranquil escape in the heart of Seoul.

Highlights along the walk

• Haechi Statue: Seoul’s pink city mascot at the stream’s start

• Mojeon Bridge: Glowing beautifully in pink lights at night

• Artificial Waterfall: Marks the official start of the stream

• Evening Ambiance: Trees blend with city lights, people relax along the water, and the stream’s soft murmur adds serenity

Access

• Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5, Exit 5)

• City Hall Station (Lines 1 & 2, Exit 4)

• Jonggak & Euljiro 1-ga Stations nearby

At the beginning of Cheonggyecheon Stream, the pink Haechi, Seoul’s city mascot, welcomes visitors.

Mojeon Bridge, the first bridge at Cheonggyecheon Plaza, shines in pink light.

The stream begins as the water cascades down a small artificial waterfall, marking the official start of Cheonggyecheon.

Groups of people sit along the stream, each enjoying a peaceful evening in their own way.

A top-down view of Cheonggyecheon from above

As I walked farther from the starting point, the crowd thinned out — the atmosphere became calm and tranquil.

The further you go, the more natural the stream feels — blending beautifully with trees and lights along the way.

Cheonggyecheon Stream blends nature with the urban landscape

Final Thoughts 

Located in the heart of Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and an absolute must for first-time visitors. The night opening made the palace feel especially magical, and combining it with a walk along Cheonggyecheon and Gwanghwamun Square created a perfect half-day itinerary. 

Between the illuminated pavilion, the music rehearsal at Geunjeongjeon, and the calm stream afterwards, the whole evening reminded me of why I love nights in Seoul—lively, peaceful, and full of history all at once. 

Tip for Visitors: Pair your palace visit with a stroll along Cheonggyecheon and a stop at a nearby café for a complete evening experience.

👉 Looking for more traditional Korean charm near Gyeongbokgung? Explore the enchanting Bukchon Hanok Village—click [Here] to read my full review and tips for wandering its historic streets

Statue of King Sejong the Great – a Joseon king known for many achievements, most notably the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet.

Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin – a Korean hero who led the Joseon navy to victory against Japan despite being outnumbered 12 to 1.

*This review is based on my personal experience, and results may vary for others. Please take it as a friendly reference.