During the Chuseok holiday, Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung, along with Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, will be open for free until September 27.
The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on September 25 that the four major palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and the royal tombs will be accessible without charge from September 24 to 27. However, the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung is excluded from this free admission.
Jongmyo Shrine, which usually requires reservations, will allow visitors to explore freely during the holiday period. Unlike the usual guided tours at set times, visitors can enjoy the site at their convenience.
At Gyeongbokgung, visitors can witness a reenactment of the royal guard ceremony, known as the 'Gyeongbokgung Royal Guard Change Ceremony,' which takes place at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The 'Royal Guard Patrol Ceremony' is scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., while the 'Royal Guard Inspection Ceremony' will occur at 3 p.m. All events are open to the public without prior reservations.
For those unable to visit the palaces in person, an online program titled 'Everyone's Folk Painting 2026' will run until November 1, allowing participants to create their own Joseon Dynasty character on a dedicated website.
The Cultural Heritage Administration expressed hope that families, friends, and couples will take this opportunity to experience traditional culture and enjoy a fulfilling Chuseok holiday by visiting the nation's cultural heritage sites without any burden.
However, with a significant influx of visitors expected during the holiday, maintaining order at the palaces is essential. Following a recent increase in visitors, issues such as smoking, unauthorized entry into restricted areas, and damage to cultural heritage have prompted the Cultural Heritage Administration to conduct a 'Palace Viewing Order Campaign' from September 14 to 18 at Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung.
Visitors are required to follow designated pathways within the palaces and refrain from entering restricted areas or climbing on cultural heritage sites. They should also be mindful of behaviors that could disturb other visitors or damage the heritage, such as eating or smoking.
Additionally, Gyeongbokgung has restricted access to the main hall's stone platform from September 2 to October 31 due to concerns about damage from increased visitor numbers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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