Hanybaram: Korean Culture & Living

  HANYBARAM · KOREAN HISTORY & CULTURE Why Does Seoul Have Five Royal Palaces? A Beginner’s Guide to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung & Gyeonghuigung Ask a first-time traveler to name a royal palace in Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung Palace will probably be the first answer. But Seoul does not have just one royal palace. Hidden across the historic center of the city are five major royal palaces associated with the Joseon Dynasty : Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung. At first, they can look like variations of the same experience: traditional gates, tiled roofs, painted wooden buildings and spacious courtyards. But they are not five versions of the same palace. Each tells a different story about Korean kings, royal families, government, architecture, war, reconstruction and the transformation of Seoul itself. UNDERSTANDING KOREA Seoul’s five royal palaces are not f...

  HANYBARAM · KOREAN HISTORY & CULTURE Gyeongbokgung Palace Explained: How to Understand Korea’s Main Royal Palace A Beginner’s Guide to the Throne Hall, Royal Living Spaces & Palace Layout Walk through Gwanghwamun Gate in central Seoul and one of Korea’s most recognizable historic landscapes opens in front of you. Visitors dressed in hanbok cross broad courtyards. Painted wooden halls stand beneath the mountains. Traditional tiled roofs frame the Seoul skyline. It is easy to see why Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of the most photographed places in Korea. But Gyeongbokgung becomes much more interesting when you stop seeing it only as a beautiful backdrop. Why are the major halls arranged the way they are? Where did the king hold important ceremonies? Where did he work? Where did the king and queen live? And why are some of the palace’s most beautiful spaces surrounded by water and gardens? This guide will help you read Gyeongbokgung as a...

  HANYBARAM · SEOUL CULTURE SERIES · 01 National Museum of Korea Guide: Highlights, Hours & Travel Tips Quiet masterpieces, Korean history and a visit that leads naturally to Seoul’s royal palaces. Before walking through a palace gate, spend a little time with the objects that help explain the world behind it. At the National Museum of Korea, a crown, a ceramic vessel or a carefully painted image can become the starting point for understanding Korea beyond its most photographed streets. Editorial illustration inspired by a visit to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul For Hanybaram readers planning a cultural visit to Seoul, this is a rewarding place to slow down. Choose a few galleries, leave room for a pause and let the details guide your attention. Why this story belongs on your 2026 itinerary The museum reported more than 6.5 million visits in 2025 . This 2025 milestone offers a timely starting point for travelers exploring K...