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When you visit Gyeongbokgung (경복궁), Changdeokgung (창덕궁), or any palace near Jongno you can rent traditional Korean clothes and enter for a free visit. You will be able to embrace Korean culture and make great memories in Seoul. You can rent traditional Korean clothes for around ₩20,000, get a traditional Korean hairstyle for women and keep it for 2 hours.
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.
경복궁, 景福宮
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.
창덕궁, 昌德宮
Second only to Gyeongbokgung in historical importance, it was built in 1405 and was the seat of power between 1618 and 1896. The buildings have been restored to create a dazzling but still elegant effect that got the palace listed as a . The site is better preserved than Gyeongbokgung. Buildings of particular note include the blue-roofed Seonjeongjeon, which was the King's office, and the Daejojeon ("Great Making Hall"), his bedchamber, but perhaps most famous of all is the Huwon ("Secret Garden") in the back. Access to the garden is by guided tour only, except on Thursdays when only self-guided tours are available in summer from April to August. English tours are only offered at 10:30 and 14:30 and last around 60 minutes with a walking distance of about 2.5 km, including some steps and incline for the Huwon portion (the grounds are wheelchair-accessible for most parts but may have to enter certain areas in a reverse direction from the group). Trivia: The building structure is not symmetrical and has a more natural-oriented arrangement than the Gyeongbokgung. You may find some Western influences in some buildings which were introduced during the late 1800s, such as a chandelier and the elevated pathway for the automobile.
창경궁, 昌慶宮
It was built in 1104 as a summer palace for the Kings of the Goryeo Dynasty and became one of the main palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was used as a temporary home for the King during the time Gyeongbuk Palace was being built. Unlike other palaces that have a North-South orientation, Changgyeong Palace faces East-West. Also, this palace is known for connecting to Jongmyo Shrine, a holy place for the Joseon Dynasty, where sacrificial rites are practiced for previous kings and queens. Sadly, the buildings were largely demolished during the Japanese occupation (1910—1945). The name was changed to Changgyeongwon (literally Changgyeong park), and the site was used as a zoo. Restoration began during the 1980s, and the zoo was moved to Gwacheon, which is now Seoul Grand Park.
경희궁,慶熙宮 Seoul History Museum
It was built in the 17th century, and was burnt down twice in the 19th century. It was largely destroyed by the Japanese during colonial rule to build a school for Japanese children. It was finally restored in 1985 and opened to the public.
운현궁, 雲峴宮
A museum in the former palace of a Joseon Dynasty archduke Heungseon, who was the father of the second last king of Joseon. It has several mannequins depicting the costumes of the yangban or noble class during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace buildings themselves represent the style of the Joseon noble class' mansion well.