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Gyeongbok Palace to open its doors to the public in the evenings in May and June

Published: 29 Apr. 2026, 12:02 Updated: 29 Apr. 2026, 17:29

KIM JI-YE
[email protected]

Two people take a photo during the evening opening of Gyeongbok Palace on May 8, 2025. [NEWS1]

Gyeongbok Palace will open its doors to the public in the evening throughout May and June, the Korea Heritage Service said on Wednesday.

The special opening hours will run from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from May 13 through June 14, though the palace will be closed on Monday and Tuesday nights.

The palace’s regular hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in May and from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in June.

The public will be able to access the palace’s gates, such as Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun; Geunjeongjeon Hall; Gyeonghoeru Pavilion; Sajeongjeon Hall; Gangnyeongjeon Hall; Gyotaejeon Hall; and the Amisan Garden areas during the evening, as well as listen to traditional court music.

The Korean Traditional Music Orchestra of the Blind will perform at the Gangnyeongjeon Hall on May 15 to commemorate the birth of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450).

A total of 10 performances by the National Gugak Center will also take place on May 20 to 23, May 27 to 30 and June 4 to 5 at Sujeongjeon Hall. Gugak refers to traditional Korean music.

Tickets for evening visits to Gyeongbok Palace will be available starting at 10 a.m. next Tuesday on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made through NOL Interpark, with a limit of four tickets per user. A reservation will be required to enter the palace grounds.

Visitors at Gyeongbok Palace on May 8, 2025 [NEWS1]

Foreign visitors may purchase tickets on site by presenting a valid ID, such as a passport, at the ticket office at Gwanghwamun Gate. A daily limit of 300 tickets will be available, with a maximum of two tickets per buyer.

Free admission is available for children aged 6 and under, though accompanying guardians will be required to have a ticket; older adults aged 65 and older; and visitors wearing hanbok (traditional Korean attire).

Further details will be available on the official Gyeongbok Palace website.

BY KIM JI-YE [[email protected]]