Gyeongbokgung Palace Night Tour: How To Get Tickets & What To Expect

Last Updated on April 2, 2025

As the sun set over Seoul, families, couples, and curious travelers slowly wandered through the cobblestone paths of Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁), soaking up the serene nighttime atmosphere. Once a short weeklong event, the Gyeongbokgung Palace night opening has now become a beloved seasonal affair. It runs for several weeks each spring and autumn, inviting both tourists and locals to experience one of Seoul’s top attractions in a completely different light—literally.

Whether you’re visiting Korea in the cherry blossom season or catching the fall foliage, seeing Gyeongbokgung Palace illuminated at night is one of the most memorable things to do at night in Seoul. 

Get ready to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace at night:

• How To Get There
• Basic Info
• How To Get Tickets For Palace Night Viewing
• What To See

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Basic Info

Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로))

Directions: Head to Gyeongbukgung Station, exit 5 which exits directly into the palace complex. For the main gate view before you enter the palace, take Gyeongbukgung Station, exit 6. Make a u-turn and you’ll see the palace main gate across the street.

Spring Season: April ~ May

Autumn Season: September ~ October

Nighttime Hours: 7:00pm ~ 9:30pm (last entrance is permitted at 8:30pm.)

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How To Get Tickets For Palace Night Viewing

Book in advance: You can book nighttime viewing exclusively through Creatrip.

On site: A limited number of tickets can also be purchased on-site. There are 500 tickets available for foreigners and one person can only purchase up to 4.

Everyone can get in FREE if you’re wearing Hanboks. If you don’t have one, rent one. Walking through a traditional Korean palace in traditional Korean clothing is pretty much the best way to get cultural and traditional in the city.

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What To See

When the lights go on, Gyeongbokgung transforms into a magical space where history and culture meet moonlight and music. Key spots are illuminated for a dreamy walk through Korea’s royal past.

Main Areas Lit Up at Night:

• Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
• Gwanghwamun Gate
• Heungnyemun Gate
• Geunjeongmun Gate
• Geunjeongjeon Hall (Throne Hall)
• Sujeongjeon Hall

Gwanghwamun Gate is the main entrance into the palace complex. The central arch was the entrance for the king while the arches on either side were for the crown princes or other officials entering the complex.

The original gate had been moved to just north of the east gate of the palace when the Japanese government came in and took over in the 1920s. This gate was later bombed and destroyed during the Korean war. Rebuilt in 1968, it was most recently restored in 2010.

It being a Friday, the crowds were massive, yet navigable. Everyone moved with ease, in most cases, as we all had the same goal, enjoying the concert and taking pictures. Not only were the pictures of the beautiful architecture, but also of children playing in the lamp light and dancers in Hanbok on stage.

Reaching the illustrious throne hall, or Geunjeongjeon Hall, was deemed a feat not worth fighting the crowds for this time. Standing back a bit though, the light mixed with all of the people strolling the grounds made the immensity of the building quite a sight.

One could imagine how many people once filled this space when the king would receive foreign envoys and preside over official ceremonies here.

The only entrance open from the main throne hall led to the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion. This seemed to be one of the biggest draws and for good reason. Situated in the middle of a pond, this pavilion is a true beauty seemingly floating on water. The reflection of the building and the lights and the moon in the water made for a spectacular photo opportunity certainly not missed by anyone in attendance.

This building was built for feasts and joyous affairs. The name means that the king is capable of handling national affairs only when he has the right people around him and in a setting like this the right people would definitely be the cherry on the ice cream. This building has remained intact on the grounds since being rebuilt in 1867 and is a must see for any visitor night or day.

Sujeongjeon Hall was the final area lit up to showcase not only the building but those playing music and dancing to the audience’s delight. The chairs provided were filled to capacity and those still hoping to watch took their seats on the nearby lawn, any ledge space found, or a simple piece of newspaper on the dusty ground.

The show started off with a rendition of Arirang followed by some traditional and not so traditional remakes. About half way through, dancers in hanboks took to the stage to give the music a visual partner.

All in all, the night was a lit up success. Daytime visits to Gyeongbokgung are always a hit, but experiencing the palace at night is on another level. With fewer people, cooler temperatures, and a completely different ambiance, the Gyeongbokgung night tour is a truly unique way to connect with Korea’s history and beauty.

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