Seoul Trip 2018: Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace Nighttime Viewing

First time ko mag-Autumn season sa Seoul at the same time solo travelling. After ko mag-research ng mga pupuntahan ko, ito yung the best na umabot sa schedule ko. Until Oct 31, 2018 lang that time ang schedule ng nighttime viewing ng Gyeongbokgung Palace. Sakto dahil Oct 30 ang flight ko, kaya next day ay Gyeongbokgung ang target ko na puntahan.

Take note, autumn season that time. Hindi ko expected na super lamig niya. Akala ko, Baguio season lang ang lamig pero hindi pala. Feeling ko, winter season na. No exaggeration pero mas doble pa suot ng mga Koreano sa suot ko kahit naka-warmer na ako. So if you plan pumunta ng autumn season, be aware… need niyo bumili ng heat packs at long winter jacket. Better to buy winter stuffs sa Dongmyo Market paglabas sa Dongmyo station. Mas mura doon compare sa Gwangjang Market if nasa Dongdaemun area kayo. Sa ibang subway stations na mga store, mura din naman. Mismong sa loob na ng subway station lalo na sa Myeongdong station pagpasok sa subway madami doon, may mga mura din  na maganda ang style pero may iba na depende sa design din. Yung jacket medyo late ko ng nabili kasi akala ko matitiis ko pa yung lamig pero dahil 10 days din akong nagstay, bumili na ako or else laging manhid ang mga kamay ko sa lamig, hahaha.

 

Stuffs I bought

 

Myeongdong Subway Station

 

Prices:

winter shoes – 10,000 won

long padded winter jacket – 45,000 won pero sa Myeongdong subway meron 39,000 won

Note: You can also check, Uniqlo winter stuffs. Okay yung mga heattech turtle neck at knitted leggings nila. Good yun pagpunta pa lang galing Manila dahil pagbaba ng airport, super lamig na.

 

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

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

Type: Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates

Inquiries

• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-3700-3900

Homepage: www.royalpalace.go.kr (Korean, English)
www.palaceguide.or.kr (Korean only)
www.rekor.or.kr (Korean only)

English: http://www.royalpalace.go.kr:8080/html/eng_gbg/main/main.jsp

 

INFORMATION:

Introduction
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.

The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).

Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art.

The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.

Current Status
Historic Site No.117 (Designated on January 21, 1963)

Closed
Tuesdays

Operating Hours
Janunary-February 09:00-17:00 (last admission 16:00)
March-May 09:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00)
June-August 09:00-18:30 (last admission 17:30)
September-October 09:00-18:00 (last admission 17:00)
November-December 09:00-17:00 (last admission 14:00)

* Operating hours are subject to change depending on conditions or circumstances.

Parking Facilities
Available

Admission Fees
Adults (ages 19-64): 3,000 won / Groups (10 people or more): 2,400 won
Children (ages 7-18): 1,500 won / Groups (10 people or more): 1,200 won

* Free admission: Preschoolers (age 6 and younger), seniors (ages 65 and older), people wearing hanbok, the last Wednesday of every month (Culture day)
* Refer to the website for details

Parking Fees
First two hours: Small vehicles 3,000 won / Large vehicles 5,000 won
* 800 won for each additional 10 minutes
* Free for vehicles leaving within 30 minutes

Restrooms
Available

Interpretation Services Offered
Tours depart from in front of the information center at Heungnyemun Gate (흥례문).
– Duration: About 1 hr-1 hr 30 min
– Tour Schedule
English: 11:00, 13:30, 15:30
Japanese: 10:00, 12:30, 14:30
Chinese: 10:30, 13:00, 15:00

Reservation Info. for Natives
Reservation available online

Pets
Not permitted

Link: https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337

 

OTHER INFORMATION:

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관) link:

https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268178

National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관) link:

https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=268152

 

So ito na, yung experience ko sa Gyeongbokgung. Masarap maglakad sa area lalo na at napakaganda ng view. Karamihan sakanila ay nakasuot ng hanbok at mga couple ang nakasuot nito. Meron silang mini-concert sa loob. Sulitin ang nightview dahil minsan lang ito, hehe. Take note, super laki ng palace. Kaya hindi kayang libutin ng 2 oras lang. Nasa loob din nitong Gyeongbokgung ang National Palace Museum of Korea at National Folk Museum of Korea.

 

The power of tripod and wireless remote shutter release

 

Favorite shots inside Gyeongbokgung

 

Meron ulit silang nighttime viewing ngayon 2019, kaya sulitin niyo na. ^_^

Information about Gyeongbokgung Palace : Nighttime Viewing 2019 

Hours of Operation

Apr·May 19:00 – 21:30 (Last Entry 20:30)
Jun·Jul 19:30 – 22:00 (Last Entry 21:00)
Sept·Oct 19:00 – 21:30 (Last Entry 20:00)

Holidays

Closed Tuesday

Important

※ Event will continue to operate on rainy days.

Fee

Admission Fee (Adult, Senior, Children): 3,000 won

http://english.visitseoul.net/event-festival/Gyeongbokgung-Palace–Nighttime-Viewing-2019_/29431?curPage=1

http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/content/board/view.asp?seq=590&page=&c1=&c2=

 

After ko mag-Gyeongbokgung, kumain ako ng dinner malapit sa Gwanghwamun Station. Kadalasan ng restaurant sa Seoul, hanggang 8:00pm lang, kaya mag-check ng ilang restaurant na until 11:00pm or mas late pa.

24 hours sila, masarap yung food at malaki ang serving. Mabait yung ahjumma dito na nag-serve ng food ko. Napansin niyang solo lang ako at sinigurado niyang nagustuhan ko yung food kasi tinanong niya kung okay, hehehe.

 

 

Night stroll sa Gwanghwamun Square kahit super lamig pagkatapos sa palace. Safe place maglakad dito kahit na solo traveller. Madami din police na nakabantay sa area. Take note, lahat ng area sa Seoul ay may cctv. Mababait sila at tutulungan ka nila kapag nagtanong ka sakanila o kapag naliligaw ka na, hehe.