To mark autumn's arrival, the Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung palaces, as well as the National Palace Museum of Korea, will be open at night. Night openings are scheduled from October 22 to November 3 for Gyeongbokgung Palace and from October 21 to November 2 at Changgyeonggung Palace.

Visitors will be limited to 2,000 people per night session for Gyeongbokgung Palace and 2,200 for Changgyeonggung Palace. The night session runs from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and entry to the palaces is only allowed until 9 p.m. During the period, Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed on October 28 for a regular day off and Changgyeonggung Palace is closed on October 27.



Up to two tickets per person can be purchased at Auction (http://ticket.auction.co.kr) or Interpark (http://ticket.interpark.com) beginning at 2:00 p.m. on October 15. Non-Korean residents can make a reservation by calling Auction Ticket at 1566-1369 or can purchase tickets at the palaces themselves on a first come, first serve basis. It is free of charge for children aged six or under.

The National Palace Museum of Korea, inside the Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds, will be open until 10:00 p.m. from October 22 to November 2. The museum is home to many artifacts that once belonged to the royal family during Joseon times (1392-1910), bearing witness to some 500 years of history and culture.




Tours guided by curators and traditional music performances will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 29, as the last Wednesday of each month is designated as a "culture day." Applications to participate in the program can be made at the museum website (www.gogung.go.kr) beginning on October 20. Entry to the museum is free. The museum will be closed all day on October 27 due to regular day off. It will be open only during the day on October 28 as Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed that day.

For more information, please call Gyeongbokgung Palace at 02-3700-3900 or 02-3700-3901, Changgyeonggung Palace at 02-762-9515, 02-762-4868 or 02-762-4869, or the National Palace Museum of Korea at 02-3701-7500. Call 02-3701-7616 for information about the museum's guided tour.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Administration
jun2@korea.kr