National Palace Museum of Korea Entrance Fee, Reviews
The National Palace Museum of Korea is situated within the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds in Jongno. Its main purpose is to preserve and exhibit the culture of the Joseon Dynasty, which governed Korea for more than 500 years, from 1392 to 1910.
And there is no entrance fee. If you find my review interesting, check the opening hours and consider visiting. They also have a gift shop where you can find items inspired by Korean tradition.
National Palace Museum of Korea Reviews
The National Palace Museum of Korea showcases the history of the Joseon Dynasty's royal court, where kings, seen as celestial beings chosen by heaven, held authority over legislation, judiciary, and administration.
The museum houses an impressive collection of over 40,000 cultural artifacts. You can tour the exhibits by starting on the second floor and moving down to the first floor and the basement.
π’ On the second floor, you'll find exhibits dedicated to 'Joseon Palaces' and 'Royal Court Life,' showcasing symbols and records of the Joseon Dynasty.
You'll find a wide variety of items on display, including clothing, jewelry, furniture, and ceramics that were once used in the royal court. The clothing, which I often saw in historical dramas, felt even more familiar.
These garments, objects, and the foods enjoyed by the kings and the royal family were all crafted with the finest materials by skilled artisans of that era.
The painting displayed behind the king's throne in the photograph is known as 'Ilwol Obongdo (μΌμμ€λ΄λ).' This artwork illustrates the sun and the moon, along with five mountain peaks. The sun and the moon symbolize the principles of yin and yang, while the five peaks represent the five elements. With the inclusion of heaven, earth, and water, it signifies the universe.
Positioned behind the king's seat, this painting boasts a distinctive feature, its symmetry. When the king occupies the center, it brings the entire composition together. As a result, this painting could only be placed behind the king, and it symbolized the king himself.
Observing the image, as it appears behind King Sejong on the 10,000 won bill, in its actual large size was very interesting.
π’ On the first floor, you can explore the 'Korean Empire' exhibition and even get a closer look at the cars that Emperor Sunjong and the Empress used.
These cars show us a piece of the Korean Empire's history. The car doors have a special emblem with golden Plum Blossoms, which represents the Korean Empire.
The inside of the cars is also decorated with the same golden color. The seats looked very comfy, almost like a sofa compared to modern car seats. Surprisingly, the Empress's carriage is the oldest car that's still around in the country.
During the Korean Empire era, Western-style furniture and decorative items imported from countries like France, England, China, and Japan became popular in the palaces. They even introduced electricity, and you can find chandeliers in Deoksugung and Changdeokgung.
If you're curious about the Korean Empire, visit Deoksugung Palace where it was proclaimed. Seokjojeon is an intriguing place currently used as the Korean Empire History Museum, where you can observe Western-style beds and bathrooms.
To gain a deeper understanding of the last Emperor, Sunjong, it would be helpful to go to Changdeokgung Palace where he spent his later years.
Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido
π’ In the basement, you'll find exhibition halls dedicated to 'Paintings and Calligraphy of Joseon Royal Court,' 'Royal Rituals of the Joseon Dynasty' and 'Scientific Achivement of the Joseon Dynasty.'
Many visitors tend to focus on the second and first floors, often overlooking the basement. This makes the underground first floor one of the least crowded areas. Here, you can explore displays of traditional Korean ceremonial clothing, tools, and musical instruments.
In the 'Scientific Achievements of the Joseon Dynasty' section, you can learn about Korea's impressive advances in science and culture during the Joseon Dynasty. This includes progress in areas like astronomy, farming, medicine, and the making of weapons, all aimed at making the country stronger and people's lives better.
The massive stone monument resembles a wall and goes by the name 'Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido (μ²μμ΄μ°¨λΆμΌμ§λ).' It's an astronomical chart carved on a big stone, showing 1,467 stars in 283 constellations of different sizes according to their brightness. This chart was made in 1395 and is the oldest one that still exists in the world.
At its center, you can spot the Big Dipper, with surrounding stars symbolizing various seasons and times of the year.
The design of the 28 constellations on the back of the 10,000 won bill drew inspiration from this artwork. Moreover, during the opening ceremony of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido was brought to life through a visual presentation.
National Palace Museum of Korea Gift Shop
On the first floor, you'll find a gift shop offering a variety of goods and souvenirs inspired by Korean traditions and palaces from the National Palace Museum of Korea. Their selection includes practical items like fans and cups.
National Palace Museum of Korea Location, Subway Station
How to go to National Palace Museum of Korea? It is located within the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds.
- Address: 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Subway Station: Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station, Exit 4
- Website: π National Palace Museum of Korea
National Palace Museum of Korea Entrance Fee, Opening Hours
π‘ The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can enjoy the museum until 9 pm, as part of the evening extension program.
- Last entrance is allowed until up to 1 hour before closing time.
| Days | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10 AM to 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM to 6 PM |
| π Wednesday | 10 AM to 9 PM π |
| Thursday | 10 AM to 6 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM to 6 PM |
| π Saturday | 10 AM to 9 PM π |
| Sunday | 10 AM to 6 PM |
π΄ Closing Days:
- January 1st
- Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day)
- Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day)
π’ No Reservations Needed:
- Walk-ins are welcome, no advance booking required.
- Admission is free - no tickets to purchase.
Wrap-up
If you're interested in the history of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire, the National Palace Museum of Korea, located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno, is a must-visit.
Admission is free, so you don't need to purchase tickets. Be sure to check the opening hours and don't forget to stop by the gift shop for some souvenirs.
Credits
The images featured in this post are courtesy of the National Palace Museum of Korea's Website.