Until 10/2! The lit-up autumn Gyeongbokgung was way too magical
Reri
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14 hours ago
This year, I went to the “Gyeongbokgung Palace (Gyeongbokgung) Nighttime Special Viewing” in Seoul!
The palace lit up at night felt like a dreamy, magical world, it was a completely different vibe from the daytime scenery, and I loved it (*ﾟ∀ﾟ*)
To help anyone planning to go, I’m going to share a detailed review of the strict same-day ticket rules, my two-day “revenge attempt” story, and the best highlights to look out for♪
First, what I most want to tell anyone going is the real reality of ticket purchases for foreigners.
For the nighttime viewing,online advance reservations are not available, the only way is to line up at the ticket window on the day and buy a ticketヽ(￣д￣;)ノ=3=3=3
Admission is3,000 won.
Ticket sales start at18:40.
Same-day tickets for foreigners are limited to just300 tickets per day, it’s incredibly competitive Σ(-᷅_-᷄๑)
So there’s a very high chance a line will already have formed by 18:40.
Also, the nighttime viewing runs until October 2, butthere are no nighttime viewings on Mondays and Tuesdays, so be careful.
I arrived on September 4 at around 18:30, and there was already a huge line at that point.
Because the rule was that nighttime viewing tickets could bepurchased “up to 2 per person,”staff went down the line from the front, asking each person how many tickets they wanted to buy.
And cruelly, before the 18:40 sales start time even arrived, the count reached 300 right in front of me, and I was told it was “sold out”……
So that day, I couldn’t go inside Gyeongbokgung Palace and went home.
Before leaving, I at least took photos at the entrance｡ﾟ(ﾟ´ω`ﾟ)ﾟ｡
I was too frustrated to give up, so I decided to try again the very next day, September 5!
Learning from the day before, this time I got there early and stood by from 17:00.
In reality, people only started lining up at the sales area around 18:00.
And on 9/5, there happened to be a “Hangang River (Hangang) Fireworks Festival” in Seoul, so it seemed like many tourists headed there instead, and there were clearly fewer people than the day before.
Even after sales began at 18:40, the line stayed short.
It was like the crazy crowd from day one had been a lie, everyone in line was able to buy tickets without stress!
If there’s a big event happening in Seoul during your Korea trip, it might be a great chance (a hidden opportunity) to try for Gyeongbokgung Palace same-day tickets.
Also, if you don’t want to line up for the same-day ticket battle, it’s useful to know about the ultimate “secret tip,” the eligibility categories that makeadmission “free.”
“Anyone aged 65 or older (ID required),” and “those who visit wearing a chima jeogori (hanbok)” don’t need to buy a same-day ticket or make a reservation at all, you can just pass through and enter for free!
*To purchase tickets, presenting your passport is absolutely required, so if you’re going to line up, make sure you bring it and don’t forget!!
I also saw lots of people on-site wearing beautiful hanbok and heading in looking like they were having a great time.
If you want to definitely save time waiting in line, I think the smartest choice is to rent a hanbok at a nearby rental shop and head over.
Once I finally got inside with the ticket I worked so hard to get, a massive palace lit up in the darkness rose into view, and I was blown away by the sheer scale and beauty.
The highlights that especially moved me were “Gyeonghoeru Pavilion,” where the palace reflects beautifully on the water’s surface, and the traditional brick walls and tiled roofs illuminated by warm orange light.
No matter where I pointed the camera, I could capture the perfect photo-worthy shot.
The inside of the illuminated palace feels so mysterious, doesn’t it?
Spring and autumn nights in Seoul can get chilly, so it’s best to bring a jacket or something to throw on, and go in comfortable sneakers you’re used to walking in.
This Gyeongbokgung Palace Nighttime Special Viewing can be hard to get tickets for if you don’t know the rules, but it turned into a wonderful experience that was absolutely worth it.
The day I went was hot, but next time I want to wear hanbok and take lots of photos!
Everyone, be sure to prepare well, and see with your own eyes the lights that make the night in Seoul feel extra special!
