Gyeongbokgung Palace

Built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, Gyeongbokgung is the largest of Seoul's five palaces and sits right at the top of Gwanghwamun Square. You pass through Gwanghwamun and Heungnyemun gates into the courtyard of Geunjeongjeon, the throne hall, with its stone rank markers and double-tiered roof framed by Bugaksan behind it. Further in, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion floats on a square pond, and Hyangwonjeong, a small hexagonal pavilion on an island, is one of the prettiest corners in autumn. The National Folk Museum sits inside the grounds near the northeast side. Most visitors come in rented hanbok, which shops around Anguk and Gyeongbokgung stations offer by the hour, because a full hanbok gets you in free and the palace walls make an ideal backdrop. The gatekeeper changing ceremony runs in front of Gwanghwamun at set times, usually 10:00 and 14:00. Plan at least two hours, and keep in mind the winter last entry of 16:00.