Travelogue #3 Seoul, Korea Winter 2014 Palace Heritage & Must Visit

(source: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/) 

1. Deoksugung Palace
Location : 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

2. Gyeonghuigung Palace
Location : 55, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

3. Gyeongbokgung Palace

Location: 161. Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-820, Republic of Korea

Nearest train station: Gyeongbokgung train station line 3, exit 5

4. Changdeokgung Palace
Location : 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

5. Changgyeonggung Palace
Location : 185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

6. Unhyeongung Royal Residences

Location : 464, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tips #1 

Decided to go for Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace because Gyeongbokgung Palace is the most upkeep and grandest of all while Changdeokgung Palace Secret garden is a must visit according to those who went before.

Tips #2

Not joining the tour for Gyeongbokgung Palace because it takes 1 hour long and Changdeokgung Palace - Secret Garden tour guide is a must for entrance which consume 90mins of my valuable time. 

Tips #3

Make it a first trip in the morning so that you are still full or energy to walk. 

Tips #4

If you are a heritage lover and have time to visit all 5 palaces then get the book combination ticket at a lower price. Can be purchase at any of the palace.

With the purchase of a book of Combination Tickets (adults 10,000won, Youth 5,000won), one admission for each of the five different palaces is available within one month. (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung - the Secret Garden included, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo Shrine).

Tips #5

Book online for Secret Gardens as it cater for 100visitor per tour only.

Information:

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Admission Fee: 

Age 19~: 3,000 won / 2.400 won ( group, 10 or more ) 

Age 7-18: 1,500 won / 1,200 won ( group, 10 or more ) 

* Free: Children(ages 6 and under),Permanent Residency(F-5) Status Holder(Age 65 and Older) * 

Opening hours:

09:00~18:00(Final admission at 17:00) 

June through August 09:00~18:30(Final admission at 17:30) 

November through February 09:00~17:00(Final admission at 16:00) 

Closed on Tuesdays

Tour in foreign languages 

English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30 

Japanese : 10:00, 12:30, 14:30 

Chinese : 10:30, 13:00, 15:00 

Tour starts in front of Gyeongbokgung Information Center inside the Heungnyemun Gate. Tour lasts for an hour to an hour and thirty minutes

Changdeokgung Palace

Admission Fee:
Regular Tour (Changdeokgung Palace)-Adults 3,000 won/Children 1,500 won
Huwon Tour (Secret Garden area)-Adults 5,000 won/Children 2,500 won

Opening hours:

General Palace

09:00~18:00 (Final admission at 17:00) 

June through August 09:00~18:30 (Final admission at 17:30) 

November through February 09:00~17:30 (Final admission at 16:00) 

Secret Garden - all operating time closed 1 hour earlier 

Closed on Mondays

※Visitors to the Secret Garden are required to join a guided tour.
※There are only 100 tickets available for each tour. 50 Internet booking in advance and the remaining 50 are sold at a ticket office on the day.
※The tour time and course are subject to change due to the weather conditions

Interpretation Services-Changdeokgung Palace:
Korean: 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30

English: Mar - Oct 11:30 13:30 15:30 Nov - Feb 11:30 13:30

Japanese: 12:30/Chinese: 16:00

Duration: 90mins

Unhyeongung Royal Residences

Hours & Admission

Apr - Oct 09:00 - 19:30 (Last admission 18:30)

Nov - Mar 09:00 -18:00 (Last admission 17:30)

Close on Mon

Admission ticket

Free

Tradition custome

10:00 - 17:00

3,300 won for 10mins

How to get there

Line 3 (Anguk) Gate #4

Line 5 (Jongno 3ga) Gate #5

Source: 

http://everyday-im-travelling.blogspot.com/2014/01/korea-seoul-gyeongbokgung-palace.html

http://kampungboycitygal.com/2013/02/seoul-itinerary-day-4-changdeokgung-palace-huwon-tour/

http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264348

Love,
HotMama