Gyeongbokgung () is a former royal palace in Seoul, South Korea. It was the first royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, having been established in 1395. The palace has had a varying number of landmarks and features over time.

The palace was greatly expanded upon during the reign of Sejong the Great (). Afterwards, it remained in a roughly stable state for around 100 years, with the exception of a major fire it experienced in 1553. The palace was completely destroyed in the 4th month of 1592, during the 1592–1598 Imjin War. The site remained abandoned until it was rebuilt from 1865 to 1873. The palace experienced two major fires in 1873 and 1876. Reconstruction after the fires concluded in 1888. At that point, the palace had around 500 buildings.

Beginning in the 1900s, amidst its efforts to colonize Korea, the Empire of Japan began altering the palace, in order to deemphasize its role as a symbol of the Korean monarchy. During the 1910–1945 colonial period, hundreds of palace's buildings were demolished or altered. After the 1945 liberation of Korea, a number of newer buildings and facilities were constructed in the palace. Beginning in the 1980s, efforts began to restore the palace to its pre-colonial state. The 1990–2010 First Gyeongbokgung Restoration Plan () resulted in the recreation of 89 buildings. The 2010–2045 Second Gyeongbokgung Restoration Plan () currently calls for the restoration of 90 buildings and the demolition of some post-colonial additions to the palace.

Current landmarks

Outer walls Construction on the palace's outer walls ( or ) began in 1398, after the palace's 1395 establishment. 3,700 soldiers were mobilized for the task. The walls were completed in 1400. They were the first structures to be rebuilt during the 19th-century reconstruction. They were modified numerous times in the 20th century; since the late 20th century efforts have been made to restore their pre-colonial states and locations. The walls are currently made of stone with wood and tiles on top. A 2007 study gave the total length of the walls as , with heights ranging from and depths . Walls on the north side of the palace tend to be taller than others. The wall has four major gates, a number of minor gates, and several openings for the palace stream (). Each gate in the wall had facilities inside for palace guards. +ImageStructureGwanghwamun () The main and south gate. It was completed in the 9th month of 1395. It was named by Sejong in 1426. After being destroyed in 1592 during the Imjin War, it was rebuilt in the 10th month of 1865. In 1923, its wŏltae was destroyed to make way for tram tracks. In 1927, it was relocated north of Geonchunmun, near what is now the National Folk Museum. During the Korean War, its wooden portion completely burned down. In 1968, it was controversially reconstructed using modern materials northwest of its original spot; it then served as the main entrance to the CGB. From 2006 to 2010, it was restored to its pre-colonial state. Its wŏltae was restored in 2023.Geonchunmun () The east gate. It was named in 1426. It was repaired in 1428. After being destroyed in 1592, it was rebuilt in 1865. It was originally only meant for use by civil servants. However, during the colonial period and around the time of the construction of the Government-General of Chōsen Building, it became used as the main gate of the palace. It is mostly identical in form to Yeongchumun.Yeongchumun () The west gate. It was first built in 1398. It was destroyed in 1592 and rebuilt in 1865. It partially collapsed on April 27, 1926 and was then destroyed. In 1975, it was restored, although around north of its original location and using reinforced concrete. In 2018, it became available for public use as a regular entrance to the palace. It is set to be restored to its original location around 2023 to 2034.Sinmumun () The north gate, often used by military personnel, although it was generally closed off. It was built in 1433. Sinmumun was named in 1475 for the mythical guardian of the north. That guardian is also painted on the ceiling of the gate. After being destroyed in 1592, it was rebuilt in 1865 and has persisted to the present. It was closed to the public from 1961 to either 2006 or 2007 for security reasons. () A watchtower that used to be on the eastern palace walls. It was likely originally built in 1398 and demolished in 1427. It was rebuilt in the 6th month of 1866. It became separated from the palace walls around the 1929 Chōsen Exhibition. It served as the centerpoint of the outer main entrance to the entrance of the exhibit; the relocated Gwanghwamun was the inner main entrance.

Oejo The oejo () is the outermost and most public-facing part of Joseon palaces. It was where public disputes were dealt with and laws were promulgated.

Chŏngjŏn The chŏngjŏn () of Joseon palaces was the area where the king received tribute. It is where the main halls or throne rooms of each palace are located. It typically has a large open space (such as a wŏltae) for public outdoor rituals. The gate used to enter the chŏngjŏn is called the chŏnmun (). ImageStructureHeungnyemun () The second gate of the three gate system. It went by the names Jeongmun () and Hongnyemun (). It received its current name when it was rebuilt during the Gojong era. It was demolished in July 1914, and the Government-General of Chōsen Building was built in its place. After that building was demolished, Heungnyemun was reconstructed between 1997 and 2001.Yeongjegyo () The palace kŭmch'ŏn'gyo (bridge over a kŭmch'ŏn). It passes over the stream Myeongdangsu and is made of stone. Passing the bridge was seen as ceremonially entering the inner sanctum of the palace. It was likely completed in 1395. It was named in 1426. In 1916, during the construction of the Government-General of Chōsen Building, Yeongjegyo was disassembled and its remains moved to the west of the Government-General Museum of Chōsen. In the 1950s, it was installed in front of Sujeongjeon. It was again moved to the west of Geonchunmun in the 1970s. It was restored to its original location in 1996, 1997, or 2001. It is around wide and long.Gibyeolcheong () A building used by a government department of the same name. The department was responsible for aggregating information from various parts of the palace and relaying it elsewhere in the form of a government gazette entitled Chobo (). The building was rebuilt in 2001.Geunjeongmun () The third gate of the three gate system, entrance to the ch'ijo and main hall, and a designated Treasure. It was built in 1395. After being destroyed in 1592, it was rebuilt in 1867. The gate has survived in this state to the present. It is flanked by two smaller gates, Ilhwamun () and Wolhwamun (), which were named in 1426. It has two stories and a staircase between Ilhwamun and Geunjeongmun.Geunjeongjeon () The main hall of the palace and a designated National Treasure. It was used for major events like ceremonies and the issuing of edicts. It was completed in 1395. Five kings were crowned here, including Sejong in 1418. It was destroyed in 1592 and reconstructed in 1867. It has remained in much the same form to the present. It is the largest main hall of all Joseon palaces and is regarded as examplary of late-Joseon architecture. Like other Joseon main halls, it has a wŏltae in front used for ceremonies.

P'yŏnjŏn The p'yŏnjŏn () of Joseon palaces is the area where the king performs his daily private work, similar to an office. The king generally spends more time in this area than in the chŏngjŏn. ImageStructureSajeongjeon () The main building of the p'yŏnjŏn. It was completed in 1395. After being destroyed in 1592, it was rebuilt in 1867. The building's exterior has since survived until the present. The building is on top of a three-tiered stone platform. The interior is a single, large, elaborately painted room with a throne.Manchunjeon () East annex to Sajeongjeon. Its name indicates both a long duration of time and contains the season spring, which corresponds to east in Chinese tradition. It is first attested to in 1423. It was rebuilt in 1865, and has persisted to the present. This version of the building is located closer to Sajeongjeon than its predecessor. It was severely damaged during the Korean War and restored afterwards.Cheonchujeon () West annex to Sajeongjeon. Its name carries similar meaning to Manchunjeon's; autumn corresponds to west in Chinese tradition. It is first attested to in 1423. After being destroyed in 1592, it was rebuilt in 1867 and has remained to the present. The Gojong-era reconstruction is located closer to Sajeongjeon than its predecessor.

Government offices There have been a varying number of facilities for government offices in the palace () over time. A 1530 record listed the following organizations in the palace: Sŭngjŏngwŏn, Hongmun'gwan, , Ch'unch'ugwan, , , , , Naeŭiwŏn, Sangŭiwŏn, Saboksa (), Sadosa (), , , , Chŏnyŏnsa (), Naebanwŏn (), and Owidoch'ongbu (). Most of their facilities were concentrated in the southwest of the palace, south of Gyeonghoeru. In 1865, part of Gyeonghuigung was demolished and its materials were used to rebuild various government office buildings in Gyeongbokgung. At its peak, the Gojong-era government offices had around 200 rooms total; eventually all buildings but Sujeongjeon were demolished. Many of the demolitions occurred in advance of the 1915 Chōsen Industrial Exhibition. ImageStructureSujeongjeon () A building used by various government offices over time, and a designated Treasure. It was a key facility involved in the invention of Hangul. It was destroyed in 1592 and rebuilt in 1867. This form of the building has largely persisted to the present. From 1966 to 1975, it was occupied by a predecessor to the National Folk Museum. Unusually for a side hall, it has a large wŏltae. It has rear chimneys, which likely allowed for the use of ondol heated floors.

Naejo

Ch'imjŏn The ch'imjŏn () of Joseon palaces is a private section of the palace containing the bedrooms and offices of the royal family. +ImageStructureGangnyeongjeon () The king's quarters. It was named by Chŏng Tojŏn after the third of the Five Blessings. It was completed in 1395. It was renovated in 1433. It was destroyed in the 1553 fire and rebuilt. It was again destroyed in 1592. It was destroyed in the 1876 fire and was rebuilt in 1888. It was used as an art gallery during the 1915 Chōsen Industrial Exhibition. After the 1917 Changdeokgung fire, it was disassembled and moved to Changdeokgung.Yeonsaengjeon () East annex of Gangnyeongjeon. It was completed in 1395. It and Gyeongseongjeon were named by Chŏng Tojŏn; together their names are interpreted as the cycle of things beginning and bearing fruit. It was destroyed in the 1553 fire and rebuilt. It was destroyed in the 1876 fire. After the 1917 Changdeokgung fire, it was disassembled and moved to Changdeokgung.Gyeongseongjeon () West annex of Gangnyeongjeon. It was completed in 1395. It was destroyed in the 1553 fire and rebuilt. It was destroyed in the 1876 fire. After the 1917 Changdeokgung fire, it was disassembled and moved to Changdeokgung.Yeongildang () The hall was a new addition during the Gojong-era reconstsruction. After the 1917 Changdeokgung fire, it was disassembled and moved to Changdeokgung. It is not known how the building was used.Eungjidang () The hall was a new addition during the Gojong-era reconstruction. It is not known how the building was used. ()