Gyeongbok Palace Opens Special Autumn Tours of Its Royal Pavilions

Visitors to Seoul’s Gyeongbok Palace can now step inside two of its best-known royal pavilions as part of special autumn tours that began Sept. 2.

The program explores Gyeonghoe Pavilion, also known as Gyeonghoeru, with commentary from a Korea Heritage Service docent. Visitors then climb to the second floor for a view of the palace and Mount Inwang before continuing to Hyangwon Pavilion, built during the reign of King Gojong.

Gyeonghoeru means “Pavilion for Auspicious Gatherings” and is the country’s largest wooden pavilion-style structure. It once hosted royal banquets, receptions for foreign envoys and rituals to pray for rain during droughts. The sign for Hyangwon Pavilion was written by King Gojong himself.

The free tours run through Oct. 30 on Wednesdays and Fridays, with sessions at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors must reserve places in advance through the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center’s online reservation page. Tours will not operate during the Chuseok holiday from Sept. 24 to 27, Hangeul Day on Oct. 9, or the K-Royal Culture Festival from Oct. 7 to 11.