Enjoy palace views from Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace will be open to the public from April through to the end of October.
Gyeonghoeru is the largest pavilion in Korea.
The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace will be open to the public from April 1 to October 21, for a period of seven months.
The Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, the biggest pavilion in Korea, is a two-storied wooden structure built over a pond west of the Gangnyeongjeon Hall, the king’s living quarters. During Joseon times, the king used it as a venue for feasts in honor of visiting foreign dignitaries and for court officials. In times of drought, the palace would hold ritual ceremonies there to ask the heavens for rain.
From the second floor of the pavilion you can take in the palace’s scenery at a glance. To the east you can see the maze-like giwa roof tiles that make up the architecture of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and to the west you can admire the looming presence of Inwangsan Mountain. It’s not every day that you get a chance to appreciate these views though, as the pavilion is usually closed as a means to protect and preserve this national treasure.
To allow the public to experience the historical site, the Cultural Heritage Administration started organizing special tours over a seven month period in 2010 for groups of up to 80 people. Beginning last year, this number was increased to 100 people, of which 20 spots are allocated for foreign nationals.
The tour is by reservation only, and is led by a professional tour guide. There are three time slots available on weekdays (10:00, 14:00, 16:00) and four slots on weekends (10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 16:00). Koreans can make reservations at the Gyeongbokgung Palace website (www.royalpalace.co.kr) and non-Koreans may call 02-3700-3904 or 02-3700-3905. Bookings must be made six days prior to the selected date and one person may reserve up to 10 spots on a tour.
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cultural Heritage Administration
hlee10@korea.kr
A tour of the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion is available by reservation only and is led by a professional tour guide.
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