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Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
This is Seoul's grandest Joseon Dynasty-era palace and the seat of power for centuries before it was razed in 1592 by a Japanese invasion (and again by the Japanese in 1910). This was the first palace used by the Joseon Dynasty and was constructed after King Taejo founded the Joseon Dynasty and moved the capital to Hanyang. Large parts have now been restored, and the vast grounds also house the Joseon Palace Museum and the Korean Folk Museum. There's a small corner where you get the chance to try on traditional Korean dress for free after registering. Changing of the royal guard at Gwanghwamun (광화문, 光化門), the elegantly restored main gate to the palace, occurs twice a day at 10:00 and 14:00, as soldiers from the South Korean army dressed in Joseon-era uniforms march with traditional weapons to the tune of drumbeats for 20 minutes.
Gyeongbokgung is a former royal palace in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1395, it was the first royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, and is now one of the most significant tourist attractions in the country.
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국립고궁박물관
Gwanghwamun Square, 광화문 광장
A center of Seoul. The name came from the main gate of the Gyeongbokgung. The site was a location of the Six Ministries during the Joseon dynasty and was a large motorway since then. In 2009, the middle of the road was opened to the public as a renovation project. It's now home to festivals and events. There are two statues in the plaza: Admiral Yi Sun-sin (a legendary admiral who won numerous important battles against Japanese invaders) and Sejong the Great (the most famous and popular king in Korean history, inventor of the Korean alphabet). The original gate was demolished by the Japanese during the colonial period, but has been faithfully rebuilt in its original location. Today, visitors can watch the changing of the guard ceremony performed by soldiers of the South Korean military dressed in Joseon-era historical costumes at 10:00 and 14:00 every day except Tuesdays.
국립현대미술관 서울관
MMCA is mainly located at the Gwacheon, near the Seoul Grand Park. MMCA Seoul opened in 2013. The site had been the Korean Armed Forces Capital Hospital and the Defense Security Command. MMCA Seoul has an art and culture complex equipped with exhibition and education buildings, a digital lab, a multi-project hall, and a theater. The building is unique and won Grand Prizes at the 2014 Korean Architecture Awards.
대한민국역사박물관
Since its independence from Japan, Korea has experienced a series of political events during a short period. You can see exhibitions that show war, dictatorships, uprisings against dictatorships, and industrialization that happened in South Korea.
국립민속박물관 어린이박물관
This place provides various experiences and services for children in areas such as exhibitions, education, research, and exchange.
국립 민속 박물관