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Gyeongbokgung Palace’s night time viewing hours have opened again. This opportunity to walk around the palace on a quiet autumn night has gained a lot of popularity. Although there will be two rounds of online reservations, it’s so popular that it’s bound to be sold out as soon as tickets open. However, even if you can’t get tickets in advance, don’t give up! There’s a different way to see Gyeongbokgung Palace at night. This article will show you how to get tickets on-site as well as introduce three great photo spots to commemorate the occasion.

Gyeongbokgung Palace issues up to 300 tickets per day for night time viewing given on a first-come first-serve basis. However on-site tickets are only available for those aged 65 or older, foreigners, and those who won free entrance. Here are our two best tips! First, near Gyeongbokgung Palace there are hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) rental shops. Visitors wearing hanbok are permitted free entrance to the palace (just like those who won free entrance) and are able to get on-site tickets. Second, go with a foreign passport-holding friend! Visitors with foreign passports or IDs are able to get two on-site tickets per person, so the two of you can visit together.

The first of our photo spots is in front of Geunjeongmun Gate of Geunjeongjeon Hall, the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s usually difficult to take pictures here due to the high volume of visitors. Yet the front of Geunjeongmun Gate is relatively quiet in comparison, allowing for a great snapshot. In one frame, you can capture both Geunjeongmun and Geunjeongjeon Hall which truly displays the depth and beauty of the palace’s architecture. In addition, the lights along the floor allow for bright pictures even on dark nights.

The second photo spot is the awning located to the right of Geunjeongjeon Hall. The pillars standing in a row paired with the flower patterned dancheong (traditional Korean multicolored building woodwork) creates beauty similar to that of hanoks (traditional Korean buildings). Thanks to the lights hanging from the tops of the pillars, even beginners can get nice pictures of people at night time. Don’t miss the spectacular view of Geunjeongjeon Hall as seen through the spaces between the pillars.

The last photo spot on our list is Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which previously served as a banquet hall during the Joseon dynasty. The lights shining off of the pavilion's sparkling pond make it so that no matter where you take your picture from, it will have a beautiful atmosphere. In front of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, historical re-enactments of The Royal Family’s Walk through the palace are held, leaving visitors with a chance to take special commemorative photos. The Royal Family’s Walk will be held from November 29, 2021, starting at 19:30 and continuing for one hour.


Gyeongbokgung Palace's special night time opening is a rare opportunity to experience quiet night views in the middle of the city. Make sure to visit before this special event ends!