Enjoy Royal Cuisine and Performances on an Autumn Night at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Resumption of Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour and Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour

An event unfolds to enjoy the serene atmosphere of the palace on an autumn night. It is the Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour (September 11 to October 6) and the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour (September 12 to November 10). On the 19th, the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Palace and Royal Tombs Division and the National Heritage Promotion Agency announced that participants will be recruited through a lottery system.

The Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour is a nighttime event combining royal cuisine experience, traditional art performances, and guided exploration. It is so popular that a new term, "Gungketting" (palace + ticketing), has emerged. This year, royal cuisine is presented with a modern reinterpretation of the 12-course royal meal that kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty received. Vegetarian menus are also prepared to broaden choices.

Participants enter Gyeongbokgung through Gyejodang, which was restored last year. They enjoy Dosut Surasang, a royal meal, in Sojubang, the palace kitchen, while watching traditional art performances. Then, accompanied by a professional guide, they admire the night views of the northern area of Gyeongbokgung, including Jagyeongjeon, Janggo, Jibokjae, Palwoojung, Geoncheonggung, and Hyangwonjeong.

A representative from the Palace and Royal Tombs Division said, "At Janggo, visitors watch a short play about Janggo Mama (senior court lady) and the ladies-in-waiting, and at Geoncheonggung, they hear stories about King Gojong, who actively embraced modern culture. We hope visitors stroll along Chwihyanggyo at Hyangwonjeong, which is usually closed, and feel the autumn atmosphere of Gyeongbokgung."

The Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour is a palace cultural event held at Changdeokgung, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Under the soft moonlight, visitors carry cheongsachorong (traditional Korean lanterns) and walk through the rear garden of Changdeokgung with a professional guide. The tour includes Geumcheon Bridge, Injeongjeon, Nakseonjae, and Yeongyeongdang.

At Nakseonjae Sangnyangjeong, visitors listen to a solo daegeum (bamboo flute) performance against a charming night view. In the rear garden with Buyongji pond, actors reenact the royal family’s palace strolls, and at Yeongyeongdang, visitors can watch traditional art performances such as the royal court dance created by Crown Prince Hyomyeong, accompanied by traditional tea and snacks. This court dance is a comprehensive art form consisting of instrumental music, singing, and dancing performed at royal banquets.

Applications for tickets start on the 19th through Ticketlink. Winners can purchase up to two tickets. The participation fee is 60,000 KRW for the Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night Tour and 30,000 KRW for the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour. Winners will be announced on the 29th and 28th, respectively. From 5 p.m. the following day, they can select their preferred visit date and session to make reservations and payments.

A representative from the Palace and Royal Tombs Division said, "Visitors wearing hanbok will receive a small souvenir at the ticket confirmation desk before the event."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.