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ByPetra Udomprasert Updated on

Gyeonghuigung Palace: Seoul’s Most Underrated Palace

Let’s get one thing out of the way. If you’ve never heard of Gyeonghuigung Palace before this moment, you’re not alone.

Who am I to judge, when even after 16 visits to Seoul, I was still counting palaces on my fingers like some pre-school kid. They said there are 5 palaces in Seoul? Why have I only been to four?!

But listen, you won’t be like me. You’re not gonna find out about Gyeonghuigung after visiting 10 times and feeling like an idiot because you found this guide! I’ve got you, friend!

Let the first-timers stay busy snapping photos in Hanboks at grand spots like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. If you’ve been to Seoul before, this is the time for you to join the locals at this FREE hidden gem instead.

From its history as the secondary palace, to today’s function as a public park locals love, and the museum next door as a bonus, you’ll know all this and more before your plane even lands!

History of Gyeonghuigung Palace

Built in 1617 during the reign of Gwanghaegun, the 15th king of Joseon, Gyeonghuigung (경희궁) was built to become the secondary palace to Changdeokgung.

This means that only royal relatives lived there, and the king’s family would only move into this palace when the Changdeokgung was in danger.

Because it is located in the western part of the capital, it was nicknamed “Seogweol (서궐),” which means the Western Palace, in contrast to Changdeokgung, which was called “Donggweol (동궐).”

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Traditional Korean architecture at Gyeonghuigung Palace in Seoul, featuring vibrant green and red wooden eaves, tiled rooftops, and a quiet courtyard framed by stone steps. Lush green trees and blooming white flowers peek through the background, showcasing the palace’s serene, hidden charm.

Sacrificed for the Rebuilding of Gyeongbokgung

While all five palaces were heavily damaged during the Japanese invasion of 1592, four of them were restored, except for Gyeongbokgung due to budget constraints.

This left Gyeonbokgung abandoned for over 2 centuries.

When reconstruction finally began for Gyeongbokgung in the late 19th century, large parts of Gyeonghuigung were dismantled to provide the construction materials.

As of 2025, three of Gyeonghuigung’s original buildings have been restored.

Visitors’ Information: Gyeonghuigung Palace

Here’s everything you need to know for your visit.

The palace doesn’t really get crowded, no matter what time of day you visit, but I recommend visiting mid-morning for the best light.

If you visit in the afternoon, you’ll get colorless, backlit buildings in photos. I hate those.

Things to See Inside Gyeonghuigung

While there’s not much to see compared to the bigger palaces, never spending a quiet day strolling around this hidden gem is a complete miss. Here’s what you can still see inside.

Heunghwamun Gate (흥화문)

In its days of glory, the main gate to the palace, Heunghwamun, faced east and was originally a 15-minute walk east of where it is today.

In 2025, it stands majestic next to a side street that leads to the palace parking lot.

Heunghwamun Gate, the relocated eastern gate now serving as the main entry to Gyeonghuigung Palace, with its dark tiled roof, bold wooden structure, and decorative patterns.

Once you pass the gate, you’ll find yourself inside a public park. Yes, a park, with young couples and groups of friends picnicking, and old couples walking dogs, all the chill activities.

This is what I appreciated the most about Gyeonghuigung. It’s not a tourist attraction like the other palaces, but a daily hangout spot for the locals.

The path leading through Gyeonghuigung Park, lined with pine trees and open space, showing the casual, peaceful atmosphere that sets this hidden gem apart from Seoul’s grander palaces.

There’s another gate in front of you, Sunjeongmun. This is the real entrance to the palace. You’ll find visitors’ information and leaflets here.

Sungjeongjeon Hall (숭정전)

This is the main throne hall of the palace, where kings would meet with their subjects and arrange official ceremonies.

A few kings even had their coronation here, including King Jeongjo the Great, who built the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon.

Sungjeongjeon Hall, the main throne hall of Gyeonghuigung Palace, shown from the front with symmetrical stone steps and red-and-green architecture under a clear blue sky.

Another fun thing I love is the little wooden plaques along the corridors surrounding the hall.

These plaques address curiosities about Gyeonghuigung that not many people knew, such as its original name, who renamed it, etc.

Wooden educational plaque displayed under the eaves of Gyeonghuigung’s corridor walkway, part of a series offering lesser-known facts about the palace’s history, all written in Korean.

The texts are all in Korean and are difficult for camera translators to read. But if you take a picture of each and enhance its contrast, you’ll be able to translate it later for your own entertainment.

Jajeongjeon Hall (자정전)

This was the king’s private living quarters.

Jajeongjeon Hall, the restored royal living quarters with vibrant dancheong-painted eaves and symmetrical lattice windows.

It was completely demolished during the Japanese occupation, but the Seoul government later rebuilt it after verifying the area according to the original palace sketches.

Taeryeongjeon Hall (태령전)

This building had no designated use originally, but became the king’s portrait hall in 1744.

Taeryeongjeon Hall at Gyeonghuigung Palace, later repurposed as a portrait hall, shown here with ceremonial chairs and scholar hats set up for a mock state exam during a cultural festival.

I visited during one of the city’s cultural festivals, so children were participating in a mock-up state exam ceremony. Notice the king’s seat and the 2 gats (hats) prepared for newly instated scholars.

Seoam Rocks (서암)

These are interesting rock formations right behind Taeryeongjeon Hall. You’ll actually see them before Taeryeongjeon when you visit. They make a great photo spot!

The Seoam Rocks at Gyeonghuigung Palace, a natural rock formation behind Taeryeongjeon Hall surrounded by lush greenery and flowering shrubs.

Next-Door Bonus: Seoul Museum of History

Right next to Gyeonghuigung is one of my favorite museums in Seoul, the Museum of History.

And luckily for you, the day is long, and you don’t need more than 30-45 minutes to visit Gyeonghuigung, so why not enjoy a few hours of history, too?

Front view of the Seoul Museum of History on a sunny day, with a wide green lawn, stone sculptures, and a clear blue sky above the modern red-trimmed building.

The museum is modern, with well-arranged exhibitions and interactive components.

Museum Visitors’ Information

What’s Inside the Seoul Museum of History

Unlike the National Museum of Korea, this museum’s exhibitions are entirely focused on Seoul. Not the Silla Dynasty, not the Goryeo Dynasty, only Joseon and its capital city.

Lobby and Special Exhibition Hall

The lobby itself has a few plaques and featured exhibitions.

You’ll also find the special exhibition hall off to your left-hand side, where temporary exhibitions on Seoul’s past, future, and identity are hosted.

Colorful textile installation hanging in the bright, modern lobby of the Seoul Museum of History, one of the top free attractions to pair with your Gyeonghuigung visit.

Permanent Exhibition Halls

My favorite thing about the museum is on the third floor.

In five rigorously arranged exhibition halls, get ready to spend at least 2 hours reading up on Seoul, from its first day as Joseon’s capital city to its modern version.

Detailed miniature model of a bustling Joseon Dynasty shopping street on display at the Seoul Museum of History, a free museum conveniently located next to Gyeonghuigung Palace.
A wax figure of a Joseon-era artist in traditional white hanbok sitting on the floor surrounded by brushes, ink stones, and vibrant Korean artwork, recreating a historic painting scene inside the Seoul Museum of History.

I had a grand time circling a Joseon-era model of Gwanghwamun Square multiple times, reading about the government’s many Ministries and their functions.

Immersive digital projection hallway inside the Seoul Museum of History, showing animated scenes from Joseon-era and colonial-era Seoul on surrounding walls for a fully interactive visitor experience.

There was also a hallway with interactive screens that teach you more about Seoul under the Japanese Occupation.

My Tips for Combining the Museum with Gyeonghuigung

How you group the two places will largely depend on the weather. Either way, the whole visit shouldn’t take you longer than 3-4 hours, with a late lunch nearby at 12:30 or 1:00 PM.

Here are my seasonal suggestions.

Visiting in the Summer

Visit Gyeonghuigung first, right when it opens at 9 AM, to avoid the midday heat. After having your fill of the palace, enter the museum to escape the heat.

Visiting in the Spring, Fall, and Winter

I recommend visiting in cooler seasons for a couple of reasons.

First, the weather is nicer overall.

Second, you get to see the museum first without getting cooked in the midday heat. This is the best part, as I love warming my brain up with curated information before visiting a historical site.

In cooler seasons, go straight into the museum at 9 AM. You should be done with the whole place by noon at the latest, then stroll around the palace once before lunch.

Other Places Worth Visiting Near Gyeonghuigung

What should you do in the afternoon? Here are other attractions nearby that you can pair with your morning palace and museum visit.

  • Deoksugung Palace is just a 10-minute walk away, with its history museum tour running at 2:50 PM, which you can easily join.
  • Walk along the Stone Wall Road, one of the most romantic spots in Seoul, to get to Deoksugung.
  • Gwanghwamun Gukbap, a Michelin-Guide joint that locals line up for within walking distance to Gyeonghuigung and Deoksugung. I had lunch here and it was divine.

Browse the rest of my South Korea guides for more ideas.

Helpful Travel Tips for South Korea

Most visa-free visitors to South Korea need a K-ETA in order to enter Korea. Check if you need one and apply about a week before you travel. This replaces the arrival form.

Read up on how to get from Incheon into the city, so you don’t run into surprises.

Don’t forget to learn some important dos and don’ts in Korean culture, as well as some useful Korean phrases, before you arrive!

Find a Place to Stay in Seoul

Looking for somewhere to stay? Use the map below! Feel free to refer to my guide on Seoul neighborhoods and figure out which area suits your needs best!

Grab My South Korea E-Checklist

To make sure you don’t leave anything important out of your preparations, I’ve made a digital checklist to help you get ready. I leave 2 pages blank for you to customize your own checklist, too!

Gyeonghuigung FAQs

  • Is Gyeonghuigung worth visiting?

    While Gyeonghuigung can never replace Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung as a must-visit historical site for cultural travelers, it is worth visiting as a hidden gem that gives you some quiet time, with history as a bonus.

  • How long do I need for a visit?

    The palace alone takes less than 30-45 minutes to go through. I’d say 1-2 hours for a slow morning, including a quiet walk around the park. If you group your visit with the Museum of History, then 3-4 hours tops.

  • Is the Seoul Museum of History free?

    Yes, Seoul Museum of History is free to visit! Isn’t that amazing?!

  • Is it better to visit Gyeonghuigung or Gyeongbokgung?

    This depends entirely on what you want. If you want grandiosity and a ton of history with your palace visit, then Gyeongbokgung serves. If you want peace with less history, then Gyeonghuigung.

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Petra Udomprasert is a career immersive travel blogger and the founder of Polyglot Petra. Believing in travel as a force that inspires empathy and respect in our world, she writes travel guides that deeply explore the history and culture of every destination she visits, leveraging her fluency in five different languages to access the local perspective. Through her immersive guides and localized language tips, she has helped tens of thousands of travelers enjoy trips that leave lasting positive impacts on their lives.