Seoul's palaces at night: when the night tours sell out, Deoksugung stays open until 9 pm

Seoul’s palace night programs are small and ticketed, and they go fast. As of early October, the Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour’s foreign-visitor nights (October 21 to 24) were down to their last places, and Changgyeonggung’s Mulbit Yeonhwa light show was booked out through the end of October.

If you missed them, one palace still lets you walk in after dark without booking ahead. Deoksugung is open until 21:00 every day except Monday.

The night programs that sell out

The Starlight Night Tour pairs a royal meal with a guided walk through Gyeongbokgung, 38 guests a session. Mulbit Yeonhwa is a short light show on Changgyeonggung’s pond. Both open in rounds, so watch the official palace announcements if you want the next one.

Deoksugung after dark

Deoksugung is open 09:00 to 21:00, and the last entry is at 20:00. No booking, just buy a ticket at the gate. It closes on Mondays; when a Monday is a public holiday, it closes on the next business day instead.

A ticket is 1,000 KRW for foreign adults aged 19 to 64. Visitors 18 and under or 65 and over get in free, and so does anyone wearing hanbok. Entry is also free for everyone every Wednesday, the palaces’ Culture Day.

At night you are walking the grounds. The exhibition halls, including Seokjojeon, close at 17:30, so come before then if you want to see inside.

The palace is at 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, in central Seoul, and there is no parking. Check the official viewing hours before you go.

If you plan to see more than one palace, the integrated ticket is 6,000 KRW and covers the four main palaces and Jongmyo for six months. The Changdeokgung Rear Garden needs its own reservation.

A little history

Deoksugung started as a private residence. It belonged to Grand Prince Wolsan, older brother of King Seongjong, and became a temporary royal palace in 1593 after the main palaces burned in the Imjin War. Its current name, “palace of virtuous longevity,” dates from 1907.

Before you go

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Opening hours, fees and closing days can change. Check the official palace guide before you visit.

FAQ

Do I need to book to visit Deoksugung at night?

No. General admission needs no booking. The palace is open 09:00 to 21:00 and the last entry is at 20:00.

Which day is Deoksugung closed?

Mondays. When a Monday is a public holiday, it closes on the next business day instead.

How much is it?

1,000 KRW for foreign adults aged 19 to 64. Visitors 18 and under or 65 and over, and anyone wearing hanbok, get in free. Entry is also free for everyone every Wednesday.

Can I go inside the halls at night?

The exhibition halls, including Seokjojeon, close at 17:30. At night you walk the palace grounds.

Why not the Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour?

It is a small, ticketed program and its foreign-visitor nights in late October were close to sold out in early October. Watch the official palace announcements for the next round.