The Korea Heritage Service and the Korea Heritage Agency are launching the fall edition of the Gyeongbokgung Starlight Tour, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to explore Seoul's most famous royal palace under the stars. The exclusive evening program will run from October 15 through November 2, offering guided tours through areas of the palace typically closed to the general public.
The nighttime tours will take place Wednesday through Sunday in the northern section of Gyeongbokgung, the iconic Joseon-era royal palace that served as the main seat of power from 1392 to 1910. Located in Seoul's historic Jongno District, the palace will open its lesser-known northern quarters exclusively for this special program, giving participants access to areas they cannot normally visit during regular daytime hours.
Visitors will enjoy a comprehensive cultural experience that combines historical exploration with traditional Korean cuisine and performing arts. The tour includes a modern interpretation of doseok surasang, a traditional 12-dish royal meal that will be served in authentic brass lunchboxes. Participants will dine while watching live performances of traditional Korean arts, creating an immersive experience that brings the palace's royal heritage to life.
The tours are scheduled to operate twice each evening, with sessions beginning at 6:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m., and each tour lasting exactly 110 minutes. Due to limited capacity, only 1,140 visitors total will be able to participate throughout the entire program period, with 76 people selected per day through a lottery system to ensure fair access to this exclusive experience.
This fall's program introduces several new attractions that weren't available in previous editions. For the first time, visitors will have access to the Gyotaejeon area, which served as the Queen's residence during the Joseon Dynasty. The tour also includes free exploration time at three significant locations: Geoncheonggung, the beautiful Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, and the historic royal granary. Additionally, guests will witness a small theatrical performance at Janggo, the royal storage site, and gain rare access to Jibokjae, which functioned as the royal library.
Those interested in participating can enter the lottery system through the official ticketing website at www.ticketlink.co.kr. The registration period opens on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and closes on September 30 at 11:59 p.m., giving potential visitors several weeks to submit their entries. The lottery winners will be announced on October 2, with the booking period running from October 3 through October 7.
Tickets are priced at 60,000 won per person, and each lottery winner can reserve up to two tickets for the program. Any remaining tickets that weren't claimed by lottery winners will be made available for general purchase starting October 8. Special accommodations have been made for seniors over 65, people with disabilities, and national merit recipients, who can make phone reservations instead of participating in the online lottery system.
