No. 04 · THE EMPIRE'S PALACE
Deoksugung Palace
덕수궁
The palace of the Korean Empire, where Joseon halls stand beside the 1910 stone Seokjojeon, opposite City Hall and open until 21:00.
Closed on Mondays
Deoksugung, once called Gyeongungung, became the main palace of the Korean Empire proclaimed in 1897 and took its present name in 1907. Wooden Joseon halls stand next to Seokjojeon, a stone building finished in 1910.
It sits across the road from Seoul City Hall, its gates stay open until 21:00, and the royal guard changes at Daehanmun, the main gate.
Don't miss
- Daehanmun gate and the guard ceremony
- Junghwajeon throne hall
- Seokjojeon, the 1910 stone hall
- The stone-wall road outside
Opening hours
| All year | 09:00–21:00 |
|---|
Tours
Free tours run in English; times are on the Royal Palaces and Tombs tour schedule.
Guard ceremonies
- 11:00 and 14:00 · Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, Daehanmun Gate
Sources
- Korea Tourism Organization — Deoksugung PalaceChecked 2026-11-10
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center — Deoksugung Palace and its historyChecked 2026-11-10
- Korea Tourism Organization — Experience Royal Palace Life: guard ceremonies and guided toursChecked 2026-11-10
When the weekly closing day falls on a public holiday, the palace opens that day and closes on the next working day instead.