Spring flowers and festivals are enjoyed by everyone, especially in May. There is a must-see spring event coming up next month: nighttime viewings of Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung palaces, in central Seoul.

The Cultural Heritage Administration will open the two royal palaces late in the evening from May 2 to 14.

During the night openings, visitors to the palaces can enjoy various events, such as the "Royal Culture Festival" that will be held from May 1 to 10.




People can enjoy a light and music show projected onto the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. They can also appreciate a traditional dance performance of the "Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven" ("Yongbieocheonga," "용비어천가," "龍飛御天歌"), the first epic poem written in Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. A traditional court banquet musical performance will also delight visitors. The National Palace Museum, next to the palace, will be open until 10 p.m. during the night openings.





At Changgyeonggung Palace, people can see a shadow play in the Tongmyeongjeon Hall based on the story of Queen Hyegyeonggung Hong (1735-1815), the mother of King Joengjo (1752-1800), the 22nd king of Joseon (1392-1910).

Visitors can appreciate a performance of sounds and visual effects at the Chundangji Pond which expresses the changes of the landscape of the palace and the history of the space by changing the color and brightness of the lights.

The maximum number of visitors each night to each palace is 2,200. Each person can buy up to two tickets in advance. The night openings will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visitors can enter the palaces no later than 9 p.m.

Tickets for the night openings are available only online at two websites: Interpark Ticket (http://ticket.interpark.com) and Auction Ticket (http://ticket.auction.co.kr). Both provide services in four languages. Tickets cost KRW 3,000 for Gyeongbokgung and KRW 1,000 for Changgyeonggung for adults. Those who are aged over 65 can buy tickets by telephone or on-site. Non-Korean citizens can also buy the ticket on- site.

By Yoon Sojung
Photos: Jeon Han, Changgyeonggung Palace
Korea.net Staff Writers
arete@korea.kr