Second Floor of Gyeonghoeru at Gyeongbokgung Palace to Open for Special Tours Starting May 8

Reservations Open Starting May 1

There will be an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a royal palace by ascending the largest pavilion-style building in Korea. On April 29, the Cultural Heritage Administration's Royal Palaces and Tombs Center announced that it will hold a special tour of Gyeonghoeru at Gyeongbokgung Palace from May 8 to October 31, every Wednesday through Sunday.

Gyeonghoeru, which means "Pavilion for Auspicious Gatherings," is located in a pond to the northwest of Geunjeongjeon Hall. It was used as a venue for the king to hold banquets with his officials or to entertain foreign envoys. It was also used for national events, such as performing rain rituals during severe droughts.

Participants in the special tour will be able to explore various parts of Gyeonghoeru. By ascending to the second floor, which is normally off-limits, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic halls of Gyeongbokgung Palace to the east and the scenic Inwangsan Mountain to the west. The tour is held three times a day, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m., with a maximum of thirty participants per session. Reservations can be made on the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center website starting at 10 a.m. on May 1. However, the tours will not operate on legal holidays, during the autumn Royal Palace Culture Festival, or during the peak summer months of July and August.