SEOUL, April 28 (Korea Bizwire) — As spring deepens and the evenings grow softer, a rare opportunity awaits in the heart of downtown Seoul: a moonlit stroll through the storied grounds of Gyeongbok Palace.
Starting May 8, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) will open the palace gates after dusk, inviting visitors to experience the serenity of Korea’s main royal palace under the night sky. The special nighttime tours, a beloved tradition held each spring and autumn, will run through June 15, with visiting hours from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
By day, Gyeongbok Palace teems with tourists and history enthusiasts eager to glimpse the grandeur of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). But by night, it transforms into something else entirely: an ethereal landscape of illuminated pavilions, ancient stone pathways, and sweeping courtyards bathed in soft, atmospheric lighting.
For many, it’s a rare and almost dreamlike experience. Typically closed to the public after dark, the palace only lifts its gates for these limited nighttime events, making each evening a fleeting and cherished affair.
This spring’s program promises even more enchantment. From May 21 to 24, members of the National Gugak Center will perform traditional court music near Sujeong Pavilion, filling the night air with the timeless strains of Yeominrak, Suryongeum, and Daechwita — compositions once played to entertain kings and their courts.
Reservations for the nighttime tours are required for all visitors, except foreigners, who may enter without advance booking. The palace will remain closed for nighttime viewing on Mondays, Tuesdays, and June 4, in observance of an alternative holiday.
For those seeking a quieter, more contemplative way to encounter Seoul’s rich past, a night at Gyeongbok Palace offers not just a tour, but a step back into a world illuminated by history and moonlight.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
