Gyeongbokgung Palace and Beyond
Reese
3 days ago
After years of being hooked on Korean dramas and films, I became deeply fascinated by the history and culture surrounding Gyeongbokgung Palace. For the longest time, I dreamed of strolling through its grand courtyards in a traditional hanbok. On this trip to Seoul, that dream finally came true. Standing in front of the majestic Gwanghwamun Gate and the imposing Geunjeongjeon Hall, I felt genuinely awestruck. As I wandered deeper into the palace grounds, I took my time admiring the intricate details of the historic architecture that has endured through the ages.
April in Seoul was wonderful, and with spring at its peak, flowers were blooming everywhere. Every corner felt like a perfectly composed photo. For this experience, I chose a hanbok rental shop a bit farther from the main entrance. It meant a little more walking, but the quality and craftsmanship were beautiful, totally worth every step. The walk from the shop to the palace was an adventure in itself, the surrounding streets felt almost European, with gorgeous buildings that made me hesitate to blink in case I missed something. That’s what makes Seoul so special, ancient historic sites and sleek modern skyscrapers existing side by side, separated by just one road.
Right next to Gyeongbokgung Palace are the charming Bukchon Hanok Village and Samcheong-dong. I have to admit, traveling in Korea can be a real test of stamina. But once I climbed up to the higher viewpoints and looked out into the distance, the incredible scenery instantly wiped away all the tiredness. Seeing rows of traditional tiled rooftops stretching out beneath the modern skyline felt like a living painting.
For lunch, we visited a well-known Sujebi (hand-torn dough soup) spot in Samcheong-dong. We were incredibly lucky to get a table without lining up. The sujebi came in a generous portion that was perfect for sharing, and the spicy stir-fried baby octopus was absolutely amazing, I can’t recommend it enough.
A quick tip for future visitors: while the famous 5th and 6th viewpoints in the Hanok Village are usually packed with tourists, you can find equally beautiful, quiet streets just by wandering farther into the alleys. Surprisingly, I even spotted some vibrant maple leaves during my spring visit, their fiery colors paired beautifully with the earthy tones of the hanok homes.
I truly loved the pace of this day. If you enjoy slow travel, I highly recommend spending unhurried time around Gyeongbokgung Palace. When you walk slowly, you start noticing the small details, like the tiny, resilient flowers I found blooming out of a stone wall. It felt like a sweet, unexpected gift from the city. I hope that when you visit, you’ll find your own special memories and hidden surprises, too.
