Korean palaces

In monarchical states, the power of the king was absolute, and life within the palace revolved around him under strict norms. The lifestyle therein was often the most sophisticated and luxurious. Historically, there are numerous magnificent palaces such as the Forbidden City and Versailles, which are globally recognized for their historical importance and symbolic significance. In South Korea, only palaces from the Joseon Dynasty have fully retained their original appearance. However, this does not diminish the historical significance or touristic value of palaces from other dynasties. Palaces from non-Joseon dynasties also possess considerable historical value and significance. Although Korean palaces were influenced by China, they are not overly extravagant but rather modestly designed with a focus on harmonizing with nature.

History

See also: Pre-modern Korea

In a monarchy, the king's power is absolute, and the life of the court is centered around him, with a strict code of conduct and the most refined and luxurious lifestyle.

The term 'palace' (궁궐) is a compound of the words '궁(宮)' and '궐(闕)', and 궁(宮) refers to a large-scale building where the emperor, the king, and the royal family lived, and '궐(闕)' refers to the watchtowers originally installed on the left and right sides of the entrance gate of the palace, and it was called a palace because the building where the king lived coexisted. The palace is also called king's palace, palace castle, and palace chamber, and these terms are interpreted interchangeably in a broad sense.

The Temple Sourcebook says, "A palace is called a palace in the same way. There are two palaces outside the palace gate, so they were called palaces in the old days, but they are called palaces when referring to their contents and palaces when referring to their appearance (猶言宮殿 宮門外有兩闕 古稱宮闕 又就其內容言則曰宮殿 就其外觀言之則曰宮闕)." It defines that a palace is a place for the ruling class. The palace was the most exclusive space for the ruling class, the kings or lords, to conduct their governmental affairs and daily life, and it was the highest quality architecture that could represent the era.

In terms of function, it can be divided into a political building space for political affairs, a living building space for daily life, and a garden building space for relaxation. These three spatial zones differ slightly depending on the era and topography, but in general, they were organized organically within a palace grounds to ensure that the movement lines connecting buildings and buildings were uninterrupted.

From ancient times to the early modern times, a front-to-back layout was the norm, with buildings for political purposes at the front and buildings for living at the back, and this layout was also common in Chinese and Japanese palaces.

The components of the palace included a rectangular or oblong enclosure that surrounded the palace, which was surrounded by a high and wide stone or earth wall, and a palace gate on the four sides of the enclosure. In the palace area, a group of government buildings was placed in the front and center, with the main hall as the central building, and a square or rectangular corridor was built around it, and each of the four main corridors was equipped with a gate, and behind the main hall were the bedchambers and inner hall, which were also surrounded by corridors.

The backyard, or garden, for rest and relaxation, consisted of buildings such as pavilions and gazebo, as well as ponds and landscaping, and it was customary to locate it on the east, west, or north side of the palace grounds so that it could be closely related to the everyday space.

The palaces in South Korea can be broadly categorized into primary palaces (法宮) and secondary palaces (離宮). For instance, during the early Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung Palace served as the primary palace, while Changdeokgung Palace was the secondary palace. Additionally, there is the concept of imperial palaces (正宮). However, for the sake of general understanding and ease of reading, in this article, I will divide the palaces into imperial palaces and secondary palaces. The term 'imperial' will encompass both primary palaces and the palaces located around the capital, while 'secondary' will refer to Byeol-Gung (별궁), as expressed in Korean terms. For example, the imperial palaces of the Joseon Dynasty could include Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace, whereas a secondary palace might be a Temporary Palace at Hwaseong Fortress.

Goguryeo

Goguryeo's palace architecture can still be seen in the remains of Gungnae Palace (국내성) in Tonggu, Manchuria, and Anhakgung Palace (안학궁) in Pyongyang. However, in the case of Gungnae Palace, it can't be sure of the contents of the palace based on a few cornerstones or tile fragments., The Anhakgung Palace in Pyeongyang was excavated in 2006 and its layout is now known.

Samguk sagi (or History of the Three Kingdoms), records of Goguryeo palaces appear in the Dongmyeongseong, Yuri, Bongsang, Gwanggaeto, and Pyeongwon dynasties, and the content is that palaces and offices were built, expanded, or repaired. In the Bongsang Dynasty, there is a verse that says, "A king is looked up to by the people, so if the palace is not majestic and colorful, how can it show majesty (君者百姓之所瞻望也 宮室不壯麗無以示威重)," which shows that the scale and content of the palace were majestic and colorful.

Excavations at Anhakgung Palace have revealed the scale of the palace area, the layout of halls, corridors, and gates, and the number of buildings (52). The palace was located at the piedmont of Daejeongsan Mountain in Pyongyang and was built around a rectangular palace with a length of about 620 meters in the north-south and east-west directions, and the buildings were arranged around three axes in the north-south direction.

The layout of the palace is completely symmetrical with respect to the central axis, which is the center of the three north-south axes, with the outer ring, inner ring, and settlement ring arranged from the south, and the east and west of the outer ring having the same scale of east and west, respectively. In addition, a separate hall, thought to be the East Palace, occupies a section on the northeast side of the palace, and it can be seen that a garden was arranged in front of the East Palace and an artificial birthplace was created in the north behind the settlement, indicating that there were patronage facilities.

Baekje

The palace of Baekje was built in Hando in the 4th year of AD (King Onjo 15), according to Samguk sagi, and the article states that the new palace was "frugal but not shabby, colorful but not extravagant (儉而不陋 華而不侈)." This indicates that the palace architecture in the early days was simple. However, in 391 (Qin Shi Huang 7), it is recorded that the palace was repaired, a pond was dug, mountains were built in it, and strange grasses, trees, and beasts were cultivated, indicating the splendor of the palace architecture and the level of skill in landscaping at that time.

After moving the capital to Woongjin, King Dongseong built the Rimei Pavilion on the east side of the palace, and it was said to be more than 50 chucks high, and he dug a pond and raised strange birds, so when his subjects protested with complaints, the king did not reply, but even closed the palace gate, so you can imagine the splendor and luxury of the palace.

It is also said that in 538 (King Seong 16), the capital was moved to Sabi (泗沘: today's Buyeo), and there were Sabi Palace, Manghae Palace, Hwanghwa Palace, and Taeja Palace in the city, but the actual location is unknown. However, according to the Samguk sagi, in 634 (King Mu 35), a trench was dug to the south of the palace, water was drawn in from a distance of 20 kilometers, trees were planted on the shore of the pond, and an island was built inside the trench. Through these records, it can be seen that Baekje had a palace architecture with authority, majesty, and luxury comparable to that of Goguryeo.

Silla

The Silla Dynasty's palace architecture is known to have begun when King Park Hyukgeose first ascended the throne, building his palace in Goheo Village at the western piedmont of Namsan Mountain, and in 37 AD (Hyukgeose 21), he built a palace inside Geumsung(Capital Region of the Silla Dynasty). In 101 (King Pasa 32), he built Wolseong and moved the palace there, and in 249 (King Chomhae 3), a government hall called Namdang was built. In 585 (King Jinping 7) and 622, he built the Great Palace, the Liang Palace, and the Shalang Palace, and created the Inner Province to control the three palaces.

Later, in 651 (King Jindeok 5), it is recorded in Samguk sagi that the king was honored with a white crown at Jowonjeon(조원전), suggesting that a palace was built for important ceremonial events. However, we don't know much more about the palace, as none of the existing ruins have been identified.

Unified Silla Period

During the Unified Silla period, palace architecture developed and evolved as a unified country that united the three kingdoms. According to Samguk sagi, in 674 (King Munmu 14), "A pond was made in the palace, a mountain was built, plants were planted, and strange beasts were bred." In 679, the palace was renovated, which was highly encouraged.

The names of the palace buildings are: Limhae Hall (674), Kangmu Hall (677), Left Records Office Hall (677), Right Records Office Hall (681), Sungnye Hall (687), Yongchanggung Palace ( 727), Seoran Hall (800), East Palace Mansubang (804), State Council Hall (811), Wolijigung Palace (822), Wolijinggung Palace (822), Inner Yellow Hall, Yoseokgung Palace, and Nagung Palace.

However, these palace buildings do not exist, and the only confirmed remains are those around the Anapji Pond, which were excavated in 1975. A total of 30 building areas were identified around Anabji, and the layout of the buildings was symmetrical with a north-south central axis. The building sites along the pond are characterized by slight variations in symmetry to harmonize with the pond, but they do not deviate much from the basic left-right symmetry of the palace layout.

Goryeo

The palace architecture of the Goryeo Dynasty can be roughly characterized by comparing literature with the foundation stones and stone ruins of the palace site at Manwoldae in Kaesong. According to the ≪Goryeo Togyeong≫, the palace relied on Songshan Mountain, which was densely wooded with old trees, and had a simple beauty that resembled a mausoleum or mountain temple.

In addition, there are 13 gates around the palace, Gwanghwamun Gate is the gate of Jeongdong, which connects to the long street, and there are 15 special gates, but Sinebong Gate is said to be the most splendid, and it describes the Hwakyeongdan Hall, the central building of the outer palace, as well as Jangwadan Hall, Wondeok Hall, Jindeok Hall, and Yeonyeongdan Hall.

A distinctive feature of the palace at Manwoldae is that it was built on a hilly terrain instead of a flat one, and the building groups, such as the outer hall, inner hall, and settlement hall, which are the center of the palace, are not arranged on the same central axis in the north and south. In other words, the outer hall, centered on Hoegyeongjeon, the inner hall, centered on Janghwajeon, and the settlement hall in the back are arranged on different axes according to the terrain. The architectural chairman said that the building was magnificent and colorful because it was decorated with fairy flowers made of wrought iron and copper.

In the landscaping of the palace, he collected monoliths to create Zen mountains, drew water to create springs and ponds, and planted famed flowers and exotic trees to create extremely beautiful gardens. In particular, in the ≪History Of Goryeo≫, it is recorded that Uijong built a separate palace on the east side of the royal palace and built the Taepyeongjeong, Guanlanjeong, Yangjeong, and Yanghwajeong, and that the Yangijeong was covered with celadon and porcelain, so we can imagine the splendor of the palace at that time.

Joseon

Gyeongbokgung palace (경복궁), Changdeokgung palace (창덕궁), Changgyeonggung palace (창경궁), and Deoksugung palace (덕수궁) (also known as Gyeongwoongung palace (경운궁)) are representative of Joseon Dynasty palace architecture. Gyeongbokgung palace is the main palace among these palaces, with a long rectangular plan running north-south, with Gwanghwamun Gate in the center, Geonchunmun Gate and Yeongchuemun Gate in the east and west, and Shinmuemun Gate in the north.

After entering the Gwanghwamun Gate in Jeongnam, there is the Hongreimun Gate, and after passing through the Yeongje Bridge, you reach the Geunjeong Gate, the outer main gate. A two-corridor rectangular corridor surrounds the perimeter of Geunjeongjeon to create an outer court, and the inner court is located to the north, with Geunjeongjeon, the main palace, facing south.

Behind the perimeter of Geunjeongjeon are the Sajeongjeon area and Gangnyeongjeon and Gyotaejeon, where important buildings from Gwanghwamun to Gyotaejeon were arranged on a north-south central axis and the left and right perimeters were symmetrically arranged. However, the buildings north of Gangnyeongjeon were torn down during the Korea under Japanese rule, and nothing remains.

The extant buildings are those around Geunjeongjeon Hall, Sajeongjeon Hall, Cheonchujeon Hall, Jikyeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Hall, Sujeongjeon Hall, Hamhwadang Hall, Jipyeongdang Hall, Hyangwonjeong Hall, and Jipokjae Hall, and only the 7,300 rooms of the 160 pavilions shown in the Archive of Joseon Dynasty's Palace remain. The patronage of Gyeongbokgung Palace was divided into two main areas: the Gyeonghoeru area to the west of the palace grounds, and the Hyangwonjeong area to the north of the palace grounds. The Gyeonghoeru area was an external garden that showed off the royal authority, while the Hyangwonjeong area was designed as an internal garden.

Changdeokgung palace is the most original and well-preserved of the Joseon Dynasty palaces. Founded in 1405 (Taejong 5) as Yi Palace, it was called East Palace because it was located on the east side of Gyeongbokgung palace, and was rebuilt in 1611 (Gwanghae Gun 3) after it was burnt down during the Imjin War. In contrast to other palaces, Changdeokgung palace is characterized by the fact that it is arranged according to the natural terrain and mountain scenery, and harmonizes the natural and the artificial together.

When entering Donhwamun gate, the main gate of the palace, to the northeast is the main hall, Injeongjeon (인정전), and on both the east and west sides of this hall are asymmetrically arranged Seonjeongjeon (선정전) and Seonwonjeon (선원전), and palace settlement made a secondary axis different from the central axis of Injeongjeon and placed it to the northeast of Seonjeongjeon. However, the combination and connection of the central axis and the secondary axis were reasonably harmonized, and there was no burden on the movement path.

In particular, the pavilions and gazebos of the patron Biwon are representative gardens of the Joseon Dynasty palaces that made the most of the laws of natural conformity by harmonizing with the natural landscape and creating a Zen-like scenery.

Changgyeonggung Palace was built in 1483 (Sungjong 14) on the site of Sukanggung Palace in Goryeo, and was rebuilt in 1616 (Gwanghae Army 8) after being destroyed during the Imjin War. Changgyeonggung Palace is characterized by the fact that its main hall, Myeongjeongjeon (명정전), is oriented to the east instead of the south, which is the basic form of palace layout, and the north-south axis is longer than the central axis, the east-west axis.

The palace area, surrounded by palace ramparts, is accessed through the Honghwamun Gate, a double-story gate located in the center of the east side of the palace, and after crossing the Okcheon Bridge, you will reach Myeongjeongmun Gate, the entrance to the governmental area.

On the left and right sides of Myeongjeongmun gate, a long north-south corridor meets the east-west corridor, and when entering Myeongjeongmun gate, the inner court spreads out in front of Myeongjeongjeon (명정전), and Myeongjeongjeon, the main hall, is located to the northwest, forming the governmental area. The inner palaces, including the main palace, Eungyeong-den and Gyeongchun-den, are located to the northwest of Jeongjeon.

Behind these inner halls, the city outside the castle can be seen in the distance, and a circle of patronage is formed around Tongmyeongjeon Hall, a bright, high hill overlooking the Namsan moutain and other mountain streams, and Hwanchijeong Hall to the north.

Deoksugung Palace, located south of the main palace, Gyeongbokgung, was not originally built as a palace, but was converted from a royal residence into a palace. It was only when King Gojong used it as a palace that it truly took on the appearance of a palace. Layout of Deoksugung Palace, there are Junghwajeon Hall and Junghwamun Gate on the north-south central axis, as well as Seokeodang, jeukjeondang, and Daehanmun gate, but compared to other palaces, there is a distracting feeling of a base with a palace crown and various halls in the inner hall. This may be because Deoksugung Palace was built as a private house that was repurposed as a palace, and was also used as a temporary palace during the Imjin War.

Another palace from the Joseon Dynasty is Gyeonghuigung Palace(경희궁). Today, the vast palace area have been completely transformed and there is no way to see what it once looked like, only the stone pillars and staircases remain.

Architecture

Until the era of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, palaces were constructed in strategic locations for defense, and they incorporated some military elements. At this time, the distinction between a palace and a castle was somewhat blurred. After the Goryeo Dynasty, these structures began to align more closely with our contemporary concept of a palace. As there was no transfer of capital after the Goryeo Dynasty, it was possible to continuously expand and build palaces within the capital city. From this period on, palaces became larger and more magnificent, with more specific roles assigned to each building within a palace complex.

Imperial palaces

Looking at the capitals from the era of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, through to the Goryeo Dynasty and the Joseon Dynasty, imperial palaces (正宮) from each dynasty were constructed in a total of eight regions, Seoul, Gongju, Buyeo, Gyeongju, Holbon (졸본, 卒本), Pyongyang, Kaesong, Jilin. However, wars and changes in dynasties have erased historical traces of previous dynasties, leaving only remnants of palace sites today, with the exception of those from the Joseon Dynasty. Only four Joseon Dynasty palaces in South Korea still have their palace buildings. "Gyeongbokgung", "Changdeokgung", "Changgyeonggung", "Deoksugung".

Ruins

Goguryeo

• 1 Wunvshan (오녀산성) (五女山城) A mountain fortress from the Goguryeo era, located in Huanren Manchu Autonomous County under the jurisdiction of Benxi City, Liaoning Province, China. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This mountain fortress is located in Holbon, the first capital of the Goguryeo Dynasty, and has a unique mesa structure. In the capital city of Holbon itself, there was Onyeo Mountain Fortress as a refuge fortress. In contrast, it is assumed that there were ordinary city fortresses called Pyeongjiseong, and candidates for these include Hagoseong Jatoseong and Nahapseong.

• 2 Gungnae (국내성) (國內城) This is the second capital and the second dual-capital of the Goguryeo Dynasty, following Wunvshan. The capital city, Gungnae, was a plain city, paired with Wandu Mountain City, a mountain fortress. After the fall of Goguryeo, this place declined and was forgotten. It is not a mountainous area like Holbon, but is close to a basin in a valley, and has very harsh winters, being near Junggang County, one of the coldest places on the Korean Peninsula. If the early Goguryeo had not chosen it as the capital, it might have declined even faster.

• 3 Anhak Palace (안학궁) (安鶴宮) This is the third capital and the third dual-capital of the Goguryeo Dynasty. Anhak Palace was a plain city. Each building was presumed to have been of a tremendous size. The area discovered so far is estimated to be about 380,000 ㎡. One side of the palace complex is 622m, and the entire circumference is 2,488 m. The overall shape of the palace site is close to a rhombus, similar in size to the palaces of the Tang Dynasty.

• 4 Pyongyang Castle (평양성, 장안성) (平壤城, 長安城) This is the last capital of the Goguryeo Dynasty and the first unified capital. Pyongyang Castle served both as a mountain fortress and a plain city. At that time, it was called Janganseong. Pyongyang Castle is a Pyeongsanseong, a combination of a plain city and a mountain fortress. Unlike the time of Gungnae or Anhak Palace, when people would abandon the plain city and move to the mountain fortress in times of war, this was different. In later periods, such as Kaesong and Hanyang, double-walled fortress forms called Naseong appeared, along with plain cities surrounded by mountains, Pyeongsanseong. Pyongyang Castle, the original model, possesses all these features: double and triple-walled fortresses, and the Pyeongsanseong form.

Baekje

• 1 Pungnaptoseong (풍납토성) (風納洞 土城) is an earthen fortress located in Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, built between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD. In the past, there were differing opinions on whether it was Wiryeseong, the capital of Hanseong Baekje, or just a simple fortress, leading to hesitation in its importance and preservation. It is believed to be Wiryeseong, the capital of Baekje. Pungnaptoseong, shaped like a boat, has its western wall along the Han River eroded away, leaving only about 2.7 km of the fortress remaining. If the western wall were still in existence, the total circumference is estimated to be about 3.5 km. This size is significantly larger and more magnificent than Gungnae (about 2.6 km in circumference) of Goguryeo and Wolseong (about 2.4 km in circumference) in Gyeongju. When the fortress walls were first built, they were 10.8 m high, and after two expansions, it became a massive fortress with a maximum height of 13.3 m.

Recommended tourism course

Route : Toseong-gil -> Traditional Market Road -> Baekje History Road
Length : 3.8 km
Duration : 60 min

• 2 Mongchontoseong (몽촌토성) (夢村土城) is an earthen fortress from the Hanseong Baekje period, commonly accepted by scholars to have been one of the main fortresses of Wiryeseong, along with Pungnaptoseong located to the north. In addition to the fortress, dwelling sites, storage pits, and underground structures from the prehistoric period have been excavated, with the fortress's construction estimated to be around the 3rd century. However, this is a very tentative estimate based on a small amount of artifacts, so it may change with future excavations and investigations of the fortress walls. According to the Samguk sagi, Wiryeseong was divided into North Fortress and South Fortress, and scholars speculate that Pungnaptoseong is the North Fortress, while Mongchontoseong is the South Fortress.

Recommended tourism course

Route : Mongchontoseong Station -> Peace Plaza -> Gommaldari -> Mongchontoseong -> Seoul Baekje Museum 
Duration: 120 min

• 3 Gongsanseong (공산성) (公山城) is a mountain fortress located in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do, presumed to be Ungjinseong, the second capital of Baekje. The fortress walls were built along the natural terrain of the mountain, resulting in a jagged appearance. Besides the most famous building, the West Gate Geumseoru, there are various small and large pavilions throughout the fortress. After Baekje’s fall, a village was formed near the North Gate Gongbuglu, which came to be known as ‘Seong-an Village’. Subsequent excavations and restorations have taken place, and in 2015, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Baekje Historic Areas. Inside Gongsanseong, several significant building sites have been discovered, leading to the presumption that it functioned as Baekje’s second capital. There are remains of typical Baekje wooden architecture, as well as relatively large storage facilities, leading to the assumption that this was a royal palace.

• 4 Gwanbuk-ri, Buyeo(관북리 유적) (扶餘 官北里 遺蹟) is a site from the Baekje Sabi period, presumed to be a part of the Baekje royal palace. Only a part of the site, which was expanded in later times, has been revealed, and the main area of the Sabi royal palace, including its central hall, and the full extent of its size remain unknown. It is one of the most important sites related to the royal palace of Baekje, undergoing extensive excavation for over 30 years since 1980. It is now believed that most of the mysteries of the site have been solved, and it was successfully listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Baekje Historic Areas.

• 5 Wanggung-ri(왕궁리 유적) (王宮里 遺蹟) is located in Wanggung-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. While it is certain that a Baekje royal palace was located here, the extent of its status is not clear. It is unlikely that it was a palace built for the purpose of relocating the capital, and it is assumed to have served as a secondary palace, similar to Cheongnamdae. Although the technical level of the artifacts found at the site is not ordinary, the absence of traces of various facilities necessary for performing the functions of a capital around the Wanggung-ri site suggests that it was not a main palace.

Silla & Unified Silla Period

1 Wolseong Palace (경주 월성) (月城) was both a palace and fortress where the kings of Silla resided. It is an earthen fortress reinforced by building mud walls along the natural terrain. The Nam River to the south was used as a natural moat, and artificial moats were constructed on the other sides. These moats have all been restored today. Just northeast of the fortress are Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. Although a road named 'Wonhwaro' now runs between Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, it is presumed that they used to be connected as a single palace complex. Unlike typical East Asian palace architecture, which arranges large main halls at the center with rectangular galleries surrounding them and variously sized buildings arranged regularly and connected by galleries, Wolseong Palace had almost no large buildings, with small and medium-sized buildings irregularly placed throughout.

Goryeo

1 Manwoldae (만월대) (滿月臺) Goryeo dynasty did not give separate names to the royal palaces like the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Balhae, or Joseon. It was simply referred to as the official palace or the main palace. Unlike the main palace of Goryeo and Gyeongbokgung, the main palace of Joseon, the main palace of Goryeo consisted of an outer Huangcheng (皇城) and an inner Gongcheng (宮城). The palaces of Goryeo, including Manwoldae, were impressive with their high platforms, contrasting with the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, which were built on flat ground. The size of the main palace was about 445m from east to west and 150 m from north to south, with the central Hweigyeongjeon being about 135m to the east wall, 230 m to the west wall, and 250 m to the Seungpyeongmun. To showcase the majesty of the palace, many buildings were arranged in a step-like fashion in a not-so-wide space, and the stairs connecting the gates still remain. At Manwoldae, numerous artifacts including stone sculptures in the shape of animal heads, pieces of roof tiles, pottery, iron ornaments, iron bars, and iron spikes have been recovered. Due to its geographical location on hill areas, high platforms were built and buildings were freely arranged.

Existing palaces

Josun

https://english.visitseoul.net/walking-tour

• 1 Gyeongbokgung(경복궁) (Korean: 경복궁; ), also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung served as the home of the royal family and the seat of government.

Recommended tourism course

Route : Gwanghwamun (Main and South Gate -> Heungnyemun (Second Inner Gate) -> Geunjeongmun (Third Inner Gate) -> Geunjeongjeon (Imperial Throne Hall) -> Sajeongjeon (Executive Office) -> Gyeonghoeru (Royal Banquet Pavilion) -> Gangnyeongjeon (King's Quarters) -> Gyotaejeon (Queen's Quarters) -> Jagyeongjeon (Late Queen's Quarters)-> Hyangwonjeong (Hyangwonjeong Pavilion) 
Duration: 120 min 
Admission fees : Adult(age 19~64) - ￦3,000 / ￦2,400 (Group(10 persons or more)) 

Family course

Route : Gwanghwamun -> Heungnyemun -> Geunjeongjeon -> Sajeongjeon -> Gangnyeongjeon -> Gyeonghoeru -> Sujeongjeon -> Yeongchumun 
Duration: 90 min

• 2 Changdeokgung (Korean: 창덕궁; lit. The Palace of Prospering Virtue) is set within a large park in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). As it is located east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung—along with Changgyeonggung—is also referred to as the "East Palace" (동궐; 東闕; Donggwol).

Recommended tourism course

General Course(Palace Building Area) Route : Donhwamun Gate -> Injeongjeon Hall -> Seonjeongjeon Hall -> Huijeongdang Hall -> Daejojeon Hall -> Nakseonjae Complex -> Gwolnaegaksa Complex -> old Seonwonjeon Shrine 
Duration: 60 min 
Admission fees: Adult (age 19-64) - ￦3,000 / ￦2,400 (Group 10 persons or more) 

Tours for the Secret Garden : Hamyangmun Gate -> Buyongji Pond -> Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonji Pond -> Yeongyeongdang Complex -> Jondeokjeong Pavilion Area -> Ongnyucheon Stream Area -> Donhawmun Gate 
Duration: 90 min 
Admission fees: Adult (age 19-65 over) - ￦5,000 

Family course

Route : Donhwamun -> Geumcheongyo Bridge -> Injeongjeon -> Seonjeongjeon -> Huijeongdang -> Nakseonjae Duration: 90 min

• 3 Changgyeonggung (Korean: 창경궁) is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. The palace was built in the mid-15th century by King Sejong for his father, Taejong. It was originally named "Suganggung", but it was renovated and enlarged in 1483 by King Seongjong, at which time it received its current name. During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese built a zoo, botanical garden, and museum on the site.

Recommended tourism course

Route: Changgyeonggung Palace Ticket Office -> Honghwamun -> Myeongjeongmun -> Myeongjeongjeon -> Munjeongjeon -> Gyeongchunjeon -> Tongmyeongjeon -> Chungdangji -> Grand Greenhouse 
Duration: 60 min 
Admission fees: Adult (age 19-64) - ￦1,000 / ￦800 (Group of 10 persons or more) 

Family course

Route : Honghwamun -> Okcheongyo Bridge -> Myeongjeongjeon -> Munjeongjeon-> Gyeongchunjeon -> Yeongchunheon -> Site of Jagyeongjeon 
Duration: 90 min

• 4 Deoksugung(덕수궁) (Korean: 덕수궁) is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by members of Korea's royal family during the Joseon monarchy until the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910. Deoksugung Palace is special among Korean palaces. It has a modern and a western style garden and fountain. The Changing of the Royal Guard, in front of Daehanmun (Gate), is a very popular event for many visitors.

Recommended tourism course

Route : Daehanmun Gate -> Hamabi(Stone Monument) -> Junghwamun Gate -> Junghwajeon -> Seokeodang -> Deokhongjeon -> Hamnyeongjeon -> Jeonggwanheon -> Jeukjodang Hall -> Junmyeongdang -> Seokjojeon Hall -> Jungmyeonjeon Hall -> Hwangudan Altar 
Duration: 120 min 
Admission fees: Adult (age 19-64) - ￦1,000 / ￦800 (Group of 10 persons or more) 

Family course

Route : Daehanmun -> Junghwamun -> Junghwajeon -> Deokhongjeon -> Jeonggwanheon -> Seokjojeon -> Jungmyeongjeon 
Duration: 90 min

• 5 Gyeonghuigung (경희궁) Construction began in the 1600s during the reign of King Gwanghaegun. In the latter Joseon period, Gyeonghuigung served as the secondary palace for the king. Most of Gyeonghuigung was lost to two fires that broke out in the 19th century, during the reigns of King Sunjo and King Gojong. The Japanese dismantled what remained of the palace during their occupation of the Korean peninsula, and a school for Japanese citizens was built on the site.

Recommended tourism course (including Seodaemun)

Route : Seoul History Museum -> Gyeonghuigung -> Donuimun Museum Village -> Gyeonggyojang -> Seoul City Wall -> Hong Nanpa’s House -> Site of General Gwon Yul’s House(Dilkusha) -> Dongnimmun -> Dongnipgwan (Hyeonchungsa) -> Seodaemun Independence Park  
Duration: 120 min - 180 min 
Admission fees: Free

Secondary palaces (離宮)

Goguryeo

• 5 guje palace(구제궁)

Silla & Unified Silla Period

• 2 Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond(동궁과 월지)

Chosun

• 6 Temporary Palace at Chojeong(초정행궁)
• 7 Namhansanseong(남한산성) (南漢山城) It sits approximately 480 m above sea level and is aligned with the ridges of the mountain for maximum defensibility. The fortress, stretching 12 km in length, protects a vast area used as an emergency capital city during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea (1392–1910). The 17th century mountain fortress Namhansanseong was constructed as a planned city both to serve as an emergency capital city during war and an administrative center in peace. Traditional villages were typically located on flat lands adjacent to mountain fortresses built for shelter in emergencies. Namhansanseong was a self-sufficient defensive fortress where the local administrative town was placed within the fortress together with the Emergency Palace. Thus, it performed various functions such as defense, administration, business and royal ancestral rites. Namhansanseong is a tourist attraction, after undergoing large-scale wall restorations and being designated as a provincial park since the 1970s. It has seen a dramatic increase in the number of restaurants and various visitor facilities since the 1980s. The Emergency Palace and the Royal Ancestral Shrine within the fortress have been actively restored based on various studies on Namhansanseong since the 1990s, and it was listed on the World Heritage tentative list in 2010.

Recommended tourism course

Course 1: Sanseong Roundabout -> North Gate -> West Gate -> Suojangdae -> Yeongchunjeong -> South Gate -> Sanseong Roundabout 
Length: 3.8 km  
Duration: 1 hour and 20 minutes  

Course 2: Sanseong Roundabout -> Yeongwoljeon -> Sungryeoljeon -> Seomun -> Suerjangdae -> Sanseong Roundabout  
Length: 2.8 km  
Duration: 80 min  

Course 3: Namhansanseong World Heritage Center -> Hyeonjeulsa Temple -> Bulbong -> Janggyeongsa Temple -> Mangwolsa Temple -> Dongmen -> Namhansanseong World Heritage Center  
Length: 5.8 km  
Duration: 120 min  

Course 4: Sanseong Roundabout -> South Gate -> Namjangdae Temple -> East Gate -> Jisudang -> Gawonsa Temple -> Sanseong Roundabout   
Length: 3.8 km  
Duration: 80 min  

Course 5: Namhansanseong World Heritage Center -> Dongmun -> Dongjangdae Site -> North Gate -> West Gate -> Suseojangdae - > Yeongchunjeong -> South Gate -> Dongmun -> Namhansanseong World Heritage Center  
Length: 7.7 km  
Duration : 200 min

• 8 Temporary Palace at Hwaseong Fortress(화성행궁)(華城行宮) is a Temporary Palace located inside the Hwaseong Fortress, built by Jeongjo, the 22nd king of Joseon. At the time of its construction, it comprised 21 buildings and 576 rooms. It was mainly used as a temporary residence for the kings of Joseon, and in addition to Jeongjo, other monarchs such as Sunjo, Heonjong, and Gojong also stayed at the Temporary Palace at Hwaseong Fortress. Normally, it was also utilized as an office for the governor (Magistrate, 府使) of Suwon. Among the temporary palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty, the Temporary Palace at Hwaseong Fortress is the largest in scale and is an architecturally significant structure with political and military implications, along with the Hwaseong Fortress. Today’s Hwaseong Fortress has been partially restored after being damaged by numerous natural disasters and during the Korean War. Originally, buildings listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites are required to be in their original state. However, the Hwaseong Fortress did not meet this criterion as it underwent extensive restoration in the 1970s. Nevertheless, it was exceptionally listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the meticulous records and blueprints left in the "Hwaseong Seongyeok Uigwe (華城城役儀軌)," which allowed for restoration as close to the original as possible. Thanks to the comprehensive records of the designs and progress, maintenance can be carried out in the present day while preserving its World Heritage status.

Recommended tourism course

1 Hour Course: Hwaseong Temporary -> PalaceHwaryeongjun / Suhjangdae -> Hwasuhmun -> Janganmun / Yeonmudae -> Bangwhasuryujung -> Janganmun 

1 — 1.5 hour course: Paldalmun -> Suhjangdae -> Hwasuhmun / Suhjangdae -> Hwasuhmun -> Janganmun -> Bangwhasuryujung / Dongjangdae(Yeonmudae) -> Bangwhasuryujung -> Janganmun -> Hwasuhmun

2 — 2.5 hour course: Paldalmun -> Suhnamgakru -> Suhjangdae -> Hwasuhmun -> Janganmun / Janganmun -> Hwasuhmun -> Suhjangdae -> Hwaseong Temporary Palace 

3 — 4 hour course: Hwaseong Temporary Palace -> Suhjangdae -> Hwasuhmun -> Janganmu -> nConventional Marke -> tChangryongmu -> nBongdon -> Conventional Market

Reconstructions & places to visit

In South Korea, there are movements to restore or attempt to restore the palaces of the Baekje Dynasty and the Silla Dynasty. Additionally, there are efforts underway to conserve and expand some of the palaces from the Joseon Dynasty in order to recreate their historical appearances.

• 1 Baekje Cultrual Land (백제문화단지), 387, Baekjemun-ro, Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea (From Seoul: CAR
  • Route 1: Take the Gyeongbu Expressway, switch to Cheonan JCT, proceed to Cheonan-Nonsan Expressway, head to Seo Gongju JCT, and finally take the Gongju-Seocheon Expressway to reach Buyeo IC.
  • Route 2: Take the West Coast Expressway, go to Seocheon JCT, take the Cheonan-Nonsan Expressway, proceed to Seo Gongju JCT, and finally take the Gongju-Seocheon Expressway to reach Buyeo IC.
  • From Seoul: Take a train to Nonsan, and then take a city or intercity bus to Buyeo.
    • Buses are available every 30 minutes from the Nambu Intercity Bus Terminal.

For the Korean Traditional Culture University in Buyeo, buses depart at 06:30 and 10:30.

• • From Gwangju: Take a train to Nonsan, and then take a city or intercity bus to Buyeo.
  • From Busan: Take a train to Daejeon, and then take an intercity bus to Buyeo.

By Bus: From Seoul: Bus), ☏ +82 0507-1369-7290. 09:00 - 22:00 Closed on Mondays. Baekje Cultural Land is a historical theme park created in Buyeo County, Chungcheongnam-do, over about 17 years from 1994 to 2010, spanning an area of 3,276,000 ㎡ (about 1 million 평). This development was initiated following the confirmation of the Baekje Cultural Zone Comprehensive Development Plan in 1993, with the construction of the Baekje Cultural Complex’s infrastructure starting in 1998.

The park accurately recreates the Sabi (泗沘) Palace, a royal palace of the Baekje Dynasty, alongside its appearance during the Three Kingdoms period. In addition to the royal palace, the site includes royal tombs, a tomb park, Wiryeseong, and a traditional culture village. Furthermore, the park comprises various facilities such as the Baekje History and Culture Museum, Korean Traditional Culture School, private investment facilities including accommodations (condo, spa village), a theme park, theme outlet, and sports facilities (public golf course). The architecture of the royal palace and temples follows the traditional Baekje haang (下昻) structure, with authentic reproductions of Baekje’s representative architectural styles, including dancheong. Visitors can experience the history and culture of Baekje based on archaeological sites and artifacts.

Opened in 2006, Baekje Cultural Land stands as the only Baekje history museum nationwide. It features a permanent exhibition hall showcasing Baekje’s history and culture, temporary exhibition halls, the Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje Theater, and the i-Baekje Experience Hall, among various other exhibition and educational facilities. Admission: ₩6,000 for adults during the daytime, ₩4,000 during the nighttime.. (updated Oct 2023)

Recommended tourism course

1 hour course: Baekje History and Culture Center -> Jeongyangmun -> Sabi Palace -> Nyeongsa -> Living Culture Village -> Jeongyangmun

 2 hours: Jeongyangmun -> Sabi Palace -> Neungsa -> Living Culture Village -> Wiryeeseong -> Baekje History and Culture Center

3 hours: Jeongyangmun -> Sabi Palace -> Neungsa -> Tomb Park -> Jehyangru -> Living Culture Village -> Wirye Castle -> Jeongyangmun -> Baekje Cultural Center