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Wearing a qualifying hanbok gives you free general admission to Korea’s royal palaces, regardless of nationality. You need the full outfit, including a jeogori top and hanbok skirt or trousers. Changdeokgung’s rear garden has a separate ticket and is not included in the hanbok exemption.
If you are renting an outfit for a palace visit, choose the palace and date first. Then use the official clothing criteria below when choosing what to wear.
Choose a day the palace is open
Gyeongbokgung and Jongmyo normally close on Tuesdays. Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung normally close on Mondays. The sign photographed here lists those regular closing days.
Public holidays and special openings can change that pattern. Consult the official visiting hours and the palace’s notices for your date, especially during a holiday week.
The checkpoint at Gyeongbokgung
The ticket office and checkpoint are in different places. The sign at the checkpoint tells visitors in hanbok to enter without a ticket.
On the Sunday I watched at Gyeongbokgung, people in hanbok went through without showing a ticket. I did not see staff inspect their outfits or ask them a question. The ticket office behind them has a window marked for free admission, but the hanbok sign directed them to the checkpoint instead.
That was one palace on one Sunday. I did not watch the other gates. Choose an outfit that meets the written criteria rather than relying on that visit as a promise that no one will check yours.
Choosing an outfit that qualifies
The Korea Heritage Service’s hanbok guidelines include traditional and everyday styles. They describe the following requirements:
- Wear both pieces. A jeogori with a hanbok skirt or trousers. Your own T-shirt with a hanbok skirt, or a jeogori over jeans, does not qualify.
- The jeogori needs an overlapping collar. The fastening does not have to be a particular tie or knot. A top pulled on like a T-shirt is excluded.
- Trousers should follow the traditional sapok shape. For skirts, the guidance allows both wrapped and unwrapped forms.
- A coat alone is not enough. A durumagi over ordinary clothes does not replace the required top and bottom. A dress without a jeogori is also excluded.
The same official page has illustrated examples. Show those to the rental shop if you are unsure about an outfit. You do not need the most elaborate rental package to meet the clothing rules.
Which sites are covered?
The general admission exemption covers Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung, as well as Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs. Use the site tabs in the official guidelines for the place you intend to visit.
Do not extend the general admission rule to a separate event or tour ticket without reading its conditions.
Booking Changdeokgung’s rear garden
Hanbok does not cover the rear garden ticket. If you want to visit it, arrange that part of the day separately from your palace admission.
The official reservation page says online bookings open at 10am Korean time six days before the visit and close the day before. Select the garden programme, not just general palace admission.
Garden visits have timed slots. The visiting information lists the tours by language and season. Choose an English slot that leaves time to collect your outfit and reach the meeting point.
Read the booking instructions for palace access as well as the garden. The reservation page distinguishes paid palace tickets from visitors who qualify for free admission. Current ticket details are on the admission page.
Allow time to return the rental after your visit. A garden slot, palace visit and rental return are easier to fit together when you choose them in that order.