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Kingdom Seoul Palace Filming Route — Three Palaces and a Shrine on Foot

A one-day route through the Kingdom locations in Seoul, from Gyeonghuigung across to Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Jongmyo. The last three share walls, so you board the subway only once — the hard part is choosing the day.

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Gwallamjeong, the hexagonal pavilion standing on the edge of Gwallamji pond, under yellow autumn ginkgo

What Kingdom presented as a single palace was really four sites in Jongno. This route links them in one direction, west to east. The last three share walls, so across the whole day you board the subway once.

Before you set out

  • Not Monday, and not Tuesday

    Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung close on Mondays; Jongmyo closes on Tuesdays. Seeing all four in one day means avoiding both.

  • At Jongmyo the day decides the format

    At weekends you can walk it unescorted; on some weekdays entry is by timed tour only. It is the last stop of the day, so confirm in the morning that a late session is still open.

  • One subway ride, then walking

    The subway is only for getting from Gyeonghuigung to Changdeokgung. Changdeokgung to Changgyeonggung, and Changgyeonggung to Jongmyo, are both done on foot.

Skip the rear garden and the route loses its point

What Kingdom used at Changdeokgung is not a hall but Gwallamji, the pond in the rear garden. The garden is entered in timed sessions and is separate from the main grounds, so check the session times the moment you arrive. Miss them and you walk past the best-known frame on this route without seeing it.

Gwallamjeong, the hexagonal pavilion standing on the edge of Gwallamji pond, under yellow autumn ginkgo
Gwallamjeong on the edge of Gwallamji — the spot this route tells you to check session times for the moment you arrive
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Changdeokgung’s rear garden from above in autumn colour, its pond, pavilions and winding paths among the trees
The rear garden from above, its pond and pavilions joined by winding paths — the part you walk separately from the main grounds
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)

Saturday or Sunday is the easiest

You already have to avoid Monday and Tuesday, and a weekend is also when Jongmyo can be walked at your own pace. If you want all four in one day and want to set your own speed at each, choose the weekend. Exact hours and entry formats are on the individual place pages.

Notes on getting between the stops

Only the first leg is on the subway; the rest is walking. Changdeokgung connects to Changgyeonggung through Hamyangmun above the rear garden, and Changgyeonggung connects to Jongmyo across the restored wall walkway over Yulgok-ro. Neither crossing takes you out and back in through a main gate, so it is worth deciding how you are buying admission before you arrive. Hours and closing days shift with the season, so check again close to your visit.

Itinerary

Day 1 · Start at the western end, then follow the walls east

See the one that stands apart first, then walk the remaining three along the walls they share.

  1. Line 5 from Seodaemun or Gwanghwamun, changing to Line 3 for Anguk Stn Exit 3 (about 30 min including the change) · 30 min to next stop

  2. On foot through Hamyangmun, the gate above the rear garden, into Changgyeonggung (about 10 min) · 10 min to next stop

  3. Across the restored palace-wall walkway over Yulgok-ro to Jongmyo (about 15 min) · 15 min to next stop

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