🌙 Seoul Palaces Under the Moonlight – 2025 Grand Nighttime Opening Guide

 When is Seoul at its most beautiful at night?

It’s when the moonlight flows along the walls of its ancient palaces.

Unlike the fast-paced modern cityscape, time flows slowly inside the royal palaces of Seoul. As you follow the footsteps of Joseon kings along serene pathways, it feels as if you’ve traveled centuries back into a tranquil night of the past.

In 2025, Seoul’s four major palaces are open their doors after sunset with special nighttime programs. These events offer visitors a chance to enjoy peaceful palace scenery under elegant lighting, accompanied by traditional performances and guided storytelling—an unforgettable experience for anyone dreaming of a unique Seoul trip.

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🏛 Deoksugung – Night at Seokjojeon Hall

A gateway to the age of modernization—where Western and Korean cultures meet

Deoksugung was the final royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, preserving the lifestyle and modernization of the Korean Empire period. Seokjojeon, a Western-style stone building within the palace, served as Emperor Gojong's living quarters.

This program is more than just a nighttime opening. Guests are guided through the beautifully lit interiors of Seokjojeon, exploring the emperor’s personal rooms, royal collections of modern art, and Western-style drawing rooms—all with live explanations and a classical music performance.

🗓 Dates:
April 8 (Tue) – May 25 (Sun), 2025
(Open Wednesdays to Sundays only)
Special operating days: April 8, May 6, May 20

🕰 Time:

• 1st session: 18:15

• 2nd session: 18:50

• 3rd session: 19:25 (Approx. 90 minutes per session)

💸 Admission: 26,000 KRW
🎫 Booking: Ticketlink / First-come, first-served
📍 Highlights: Indoor viewing (weather-proof), live classical music, guided history tour

💡 Recommended Tip: Step into Seokjojeon’s luxurious interiors, where classical music fills the halls. It may feel like a European salon, but the traces of Korea’s royal past are hidden in its elegance.

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🌸 Changgyeonggung – Watery Light Fantasy

A poetic harmony of water, light, and art in the palace garden

Once the residential palace for kings and queens, Changgyeonggung is known for its tranquil, nature-blended layout—perfect for an evening stroll.

During this nighttime program, visitors can experience Watery Light Fantasy, a stunning fusion of media art and nature. Each night, the palace pond ‘Chundangji’ is transformed into a luminous stage with vivid reflections and delicate digital projections.

🗓 Dates:
March 7 – December 31, 2025 (Tuesdays to Sundays)
Open every day during the Royal Culture Festival (April 26 – May 4)

🕰 Time:
Start times vary by season (spring/summer/fall)

💸 Admission: Free (Palace entry: 1,000 KRW)
🎫 Booking: No reservation needed (open viewing)

📍 Highlights: Tranquil media art set in nature, photo-worthy night scenery

💡 Recommended Tip: Bring a tripod or use your smartphone’s night mode. The reflections on Chundangji’s water make for perfect nighttime photos.

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⭐ Gyeongbokgung – Starlight Night Tour

Guided storytelling, royal tea tasting, and traditional costumes—Seoul’s ultimate palace night tour

As the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung represents the pinnacle of Korean royal architecture. The Starlight Night Tour offers a premium experience including guided tours by cultural interpreters and a traditional tea tasting within the palace grounds.

🗓 Dates:
April 2 – May 17, 2025 (Wednesdays to Sundays)
Rescheduled day: April 30 moved to May 5

🕰 Time:

• 1st session: 18:40

• 2nd session: 19:40 (Approx. 110 minutes per session)

💸 Admission: 60,000 KRW
🎫 Booking: Ticketlink / High demand—sells out quickly
📍 Highlights: Expert storytelling, royal desserts, optional traditional costume rental

💡 Recommended Tip: This is the perfect tour to introduce Korea’s history to international guests or offer your parents a cultural gift. It’s immersive, elegant, and meaningful.

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🌕 Changdeokgung – Moonlight Tour

UNESCO World Heritage Site, hidden royal gardens, and a peaceful moonlit walk

Known for its harmony with nature, Changdeokgung is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favorite for its serene beauty. Its Moonlight Tour includes access to the palace’s Secret Garden (Huwon)—a space usually closed at night.

Accompanied by a small group and traditional music, guests will explore winding pine paths, hidden pavilions, and lotus ponds in the stillness of night.

🗓 Dates:
April 10 – June 15, 2025 (Thursdays to Sundays)

🕰 Time:

• 1st group: 19:20 / 19:25 / 19:30

• 2nd group: 20:00 / 20:05 / 20:10 (Approx. 100 minutes per session)

💸 Admission: 30,000 KRW
🎫 Booking: Ticketlink / Usually sold out early
📍 Highlights: Includes Secret Garden access, small group tour, traditional performance

💡 Recommended Tip: Standing in front of the Secret Garden’s pond under the moonlight feels like stepping into a painting. A must for those seeking peace and inspiration.

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📌 Before You Go – Night Palace Tour Essentials

• 🎟 All events require advance booking via Ticketlink

• 🧥 Bring a light jacket—evenings can be chilly

• 📸 Avoid flash photography; use night mode or tripods

• 👟 Comfortable walking shoes are a must

• 🌧 Pack a raincoat if showers are expected

• 🌐 Check Heritage Korea’s official website for updates and exact entry instructions

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✨ In Closing – The True Night of Seoul Begins at the Palaces

Seoul is full of iconic nightscapes, but the palace nights offer a slower, deeper beauty.
A night walk through these ancient grounds brings you into a world where tradition meets tranquility, and time seems to pause.

This spring and summer, don’t miss your chance to walk under the stars where kings once walked.
One evening at the palace could become a memory that lasts a lifetime.

📍 How to Reserve Your Life World Tour VIP Transfer

Experience a fast, easy, and fully dedicated reservation process
exclusively for VIP clients.

• 📞 Main Phone: +82 10 7711 0774

• 1688-5632

• 📧 Email: bulgom@lifeworldtour.com

• 🌐 Official Website: https://www.lifeworldtour.com