Gyeongbokgung Night Opening: How to Get Tickets
Short answer: Gyeongbokgung's night opening is a limited seasonal event, usually held for a few weeks in spring and again in autumn. Tickets are released online a few days before each season starts, on a first-come, first-served basis through the ticketing platform named in the official announcement (in 2026 this was NOL Tickets), and they often sell out within minutes. In recent seasons, foreign visitors could also buy a limited number of same-day tickets on site at the Gwanghwamun ticket office. The 2026 autumn session ended in early October, so if you are planning ahead, watch the Korea Heritage Service's royal palaces website for the next dates.
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Gyeongbokgung is Seoul's largest and best-known palace, built in 1395 as the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. By day it is busy with tour groups and hanbok-wearing visitors. At night, during the special opening, the main halls and the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion are lit up and reflected in the pond, and the atmosphere is much calmer. It is one of the most photogenic evenings you can have in Seoul.
What is the Gyeongbokgung night opening?
Normally the palace closes in the evening. A few times a year, the Korea Heritage Service (the government body that manages the royal palaces) opens part of Gyeongbokgung after dark. Visitors walk a set route through the illuminated courtyards, usually including Geunjeongjeon (the throne hall) and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion on its lotus pond.
In 2026 the night opening ran in spring and again from early September to early October, with evening sessions roughly from 7 pm to 9:30 pm and no openings on some weekdays. Dates and hours change each season, so always use the latest official notice rather than an old blog post.
Do not confuse it with the Starlight Night Tour, a separate, smaller guided program with its own booking and price, or with the night openings of other palaces such as Deoksugung or Changgyeonggung.
How to get tickets
1. Watch for the official announcement
Each season's schedule and reservation date are announced on the royal palaces website of the Korea Heritage Service, usually a week or two before the event. The notice says which ticketing site is used, the exact opening time for reservations (often 10 am Korea time) and how many tickets each person can buy.
2. Book online the moment sales open
Online tickets are first-come, first-served and are often gone very quickly, especially for Friday and weekend evenings. Before the sale:
- Create an account on the ticketing platform in advance. The international (English) version of NOL, formerly Interpark Global, accepts foreign visitors, but check which version the announcement links to.
- Decide on two or three possible dates so you can switch quickly if your first choice sells out.
- Note the time difference: sales open in Korea Standard Time (UTC+9).
3. Or try for on-site tickets for foreign visitors
In recent seasons a limited number of tickets per day (around 300, two per person) were set aside for foreign visitors and sold on the day at the ticket office near Gwanghwamun Gate. You need your passport. This allocation is not guaranteed every season, and queues can form early, so treat it as a backup rather than your main plan.
4. Wearing hanbok
Visitors in hanbok have been able to enter free of charge in recent night openings, but in many seasons they still needed a reservation or a ticket from the allotment. Check the current rules. If you would like to wear one, renting near the palace is easy:
Before you rent, check the shop's return time. Many shops close in the evening, which matters if you plan to stay until the end of the night session. Our hanbok rental guide covers the daytime rules too.
Getting there and what the evening is like
Gyeongbokgung is next to Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3) and a short walk from Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5). Night visitors enter through Gwanghwamun, the main gate facing Gwanghwamun Square.
Once inside, you follow a marked route with staff guiding the flow. Most people spend 60–90 minutes. The most popular photo spot is Gyeonghoeru Pavilion reflected in the pond, so expect a crowd there. Walk the rest of the route first and come back later in your time slot, when it is often a little quieter.
Evenings in early October and late spring can feel cool, and the ground is gravel and stone, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket.
If you cannot get a ticket
- Visit at dusk during normal hours. In late autumn and winter the sun sets early, so the last hour of regular opening gives you soft evening light.
- Try another palace. Deoksugung has traditionally stayed open into the evening, and Changgyeonggung has run night openings. Check current hours on the official site.
- See the guard changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun during the day. Our guard ceremony guide explains where to stand.
"The pond is the star – everything else is a warm-up." – Leni, POPORO CITY
Quick tips
- Bookmark the Korea Heritage Service royal palaces website and check it from August (autumn) or March (spring).
- Make your ticketing account before sales day and log in early.
- Carry your passport for on-site foreigner tickets and ID checks.
- Check whether your hanbok shop closes before the night session ends.
- The Starlight Night Tour is a different program – do not mix up the bookings.
FAQ
When is the next Gyeongbokgung night opening?
It is usually held in spring and autumn. The autumn 2026 season ended in early October; spring dates are normally announced shortly before the event on the official royal palaces website.
Can foreigners book Gyeongbokgung night tickets online?
Yes, through the platform named in the official notice, if you have an account. In recent seasons there was also a limited on-site allocation for foreign visitors with a passport.
Is the night opening free in hanbok?
Hanbok wearers have entered free in recent seasons, but you may still need a reservation or allotment ticket. Check the current notice.
How long does the night visit take?
Most visitors spend about an hour to an hour and a half walking the set route.
Is the regular daytime ticket valid at night?
No. The night opening needs its own ticket or reservation, separate from daytime admission.