Gyeonghuigung Palace

One of Seoul's five Joseon royal palaces — a quiet secondary royal residence, partly restored, now home to the Seoul Museum of History and a peaceful park.

Gyeonghuigung (경희궁) is one of the five grand royal palaces built in Seoul during the Joseon dynasty. Located in the western inner city, it served as a secondary residence for Korean kings — particularly at times when the main palace, Gyeongbokgung, was unavailable. At its height the complex comprised over 100 buildings; today, after destruction wrought by the Japanese colonial administration (1910–1945) and the Korean War, only a few structures survive. An extensive restoration programme has brought back key pavilions and gates. The grounds now also house the Seoul Museum of History and a tranquil park popular with locals as a recreational destination. Gyeonghuigung is the least visited of Seoul's palaces, offering a far more peaceful experience than the tourist-heavy Gyeongbokgung.