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Gyeongbokgung Palace hours, guard ceremony times and free entry until Nov 15 (2026)
- Free entry
- Oct 29 – Nov 15, 2026 (Korea Grand Festival). Also Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Jongmyo
- Hours (Nov–Feb)
- 9 AM – 5 PM, last entry 4 PM
- Closed
- Every Tuesday (Nov 3, Nov 10)
- Guard ceremony
- 10 AM and 2 PM · gate watch 11 AM and 1 PM
Gyeongbokgung is free to enter until Nov 15, 2026. Here are the November hours, the Tuesday closing day, the guard ceremony times, the subway exit and an easy half-day route around the palace.
Changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung · Photo: Richard Fisher (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Free until Nov 15
- FREENo ticket needed
During the Korea Grand Festival (Oct 29 – Nov 15, 2026), Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, Jongmyo and the Joseon royal tombs are free to enter.
- NOT FREEChangdeokgung's Secret Garden
The Secret Garden (Huwon) tour is not part of the free entry, and palaces stay shut on their regular closing days.
Hours and closed days
- NOV–FEB9 AM – 5 PM
Last entry is 4 PM, one hour before closing.
- MAR–MAY · SEP–OCT9 AM – 6 PM
Last entry 5 PM.
- JUN–AUG9 AM – 6:30 PM
Last entry 5:30 PM.
- CLOSEDEvery Tuesday
Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo close on Tuesdays; Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung close on Mondays. If the closing day is a public holiday, the palace opens and closes the next non-holiday instead.
Changing of the guard
- 10 AM · 2 PMGuard changing ceremony
At Heungnyemun courtyard (inside the main gate) and around Gwanghwamun. Free to watch.
- 11 AM · 1 PMGwanghwamun gate watch
A shorter ceremony checking the guards at Gwanghwamun gate.
- NOTEWeather and special events
It can be paused in extreme heat or bad weather, and it is replaced during special events (Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026: the Cheopjong royal guard review).
Getting there
- SUBWAYGyeongbokgung Station, Line 3, Exit 5
Exit 5 is the palace side.
서울 종로구 사직로 161 경복궁
Make it a half day (our route)
- 1Guard ceremony at 10 AM
Our tip: arrive a little early and stand by Heungnyemun courtyard.
- 2Geunjeongjeon and Gyeonghoeru
Our tip: walk to the throne hall, then the pavilion on the pond.
- 3The museums next door
Our tip: the National Palace Museum and National Folk Museum are right by the palace.
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Say it in Korean (show this screen)
- 1Take me to Gyeongbokgung, please.
gyeong-bok-gung ga-ju-se-yo
경복궁 가주세요 - 2What time is the guard ceremony?
su-mun-jang gyo-dae myeot-si-ye-yo?
수문장 교대 몇 시예요? - 3Where is the exit?
chul-gu eo-di-ye-yo?
출구 어디예요?
Local tips
- Times and programs can change; check on the day.
- Our tip: on a Tuesday, go to Deoksugung or Changdeokgung instead, which close on Mondays.
FAQ
Is Gyeongbokgung free in November 2026?
Yes, entry is free from Oct 29 to Nov 15, 2026, except on its closing day (Tuesday).
What are Gyeongbokgung's hours in November?
9 AM to 5 PM, with last entry at 4 PM.
What time is the changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung?
10 AM and 2 PM, with a Gwanghwamun gate watch at 11 AM and 1 PM; weather can cancel it.
What day is Gyeongbokgung closed?
Every Tuesday.
Sources: Yonhap: Korea Grand Festival from Oct 29, four palaces free (Oct 27, 2026) · Financial News: palaces free Oct 29 – Nov 15, Gyeongbokgung closes at 5 PM from November (Oct 27, 2026) · Asia Economy: four palaces, Jongmyo and royal tombs free (Oct 27, 2026) · VeganNews: palace hours and last entry by season (Sep 7, 2026) · Yonhap: Gyeongbokgung guard ceremony at 10 AM and 2 PM (Aug 7, 2026) · Edaily: guard ceremony resumes, gate watch 11 AM and 1 PM (Aug 8, 2026)