Seoul Palace Night Tour “Deoksugung Night Opening”

April 16, 2023 674 Views

Around Gwanghwamun and City Hall in Seoul, you can find various palaces from the Joseon Dynasty. You can visit Gyeongbokgung, which served as the main palace of Joseon, and to the east of Gyeongbokgung, you can find Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. To the west of Gyeongbokgung is Gyeonghuigung, and to the south, you can find Deoksugung.

“Deoksugung: History Beginning with Prince Wolsan”

The history of Deoksugung begins with Prince Wolsan. This place, initially built as a residence for Prince Wolsan, who needed a place to stay, became a palace when King Seonjo, who fled here during the Imjin War, returned and modified Prince Wolsan’s mansion to serve as a temporary residence.

Afterward, with the construction of Changdeokgung, Deoksugung was on the verge of being forgotten in history. However, when King Gojong, who sought refuge at the Russian legation during the late Joseon period, returned in 1887, it began to be used as the royal palace of the Korean Empire.

You can find more information about Deoksugung’s daytime scenery and history in the link below.

Royal Palace of the Korean Empire, Deoksugung: Seoul, Imperial Palace of the Korean Empire, Deoksugung Palace

“Deoksugung Night Opening”

Each palace also holds night openings. In the past, some were only open during the autumn season, but now it seems that night openings are held regularly.

Deoksugung, one of the five main palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, also conducts night openings. The opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

“Jeongdong Deoksugung Palace Night Tour”

After having dinner near City Hall, I decided to take a look at Deoksugung, which was right in front of me. While the daytime view of Deoksugung is beautiful, there is a unique charm in experiencing the atmosphere of Deoksugung quietly at night.

“Night Opening Admission Fee”

Individual: 1,000 KRW
Group (10 people or more): 800 KRW

For Deoksugung’s night opening, individuals between the ages of 25 and 64 pay an admission fee of 1,000 KRW, while groups pay 800 KRW per person. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for the group discount. For more detailed information, you can refer to the website.

It’s been a while since I visited Deoksugung after exploring it during daytime. When I visited Deoksugung back then, I was able to enjoy the scenery of Deoksugung covered in snow during winter.

This time, it wasn’t winter, but I could appreciate a different view. It was a day when I could feel the autumn atmosphere of Deoksugung. While visiting during the day offers a great view of Deoksugung, the evening hours create a special atmosphere.

During the night opening, there were fewer visitors, allowing me to enjoy the palace in a more serene atmosphere. Enjoying the autumn atmosphere and admiring the tranquil palace can also be quite charming.

“Seoul, Royal Palace of the Korean Empire, Deoksugung”