Welcome to my favorite rabbit hole — Gyeongbokgung like you’ve never seen it before!
To begin your adventure, pick a “character.” Are you a Prince? A court lady? Maybe a eunuch on official business? Each course is based on who lived or worked in these halls — because the palace wasn’t just about the king (though he’s pretty cool too), it was a whole buzzing world of people and purpose. Once you’ve picked your person, start clicking on the little location icons scattered across the palace grounds. These aren’t just dots—each one unlocks an on-site video filmed with special permission from the palace itself, over four months of tip-toeing, filming, and obsessing over light angles. Each spot also includes juicy details I compiled from the Veritable Records of the Chosŏn Dynasty (the ultimate behind-the-scenes sourcebook). Follow the icon path just as a real tour would guide you —something I’ve had the joy of doing over 50 times in the last five years.
Happy wandering!
Gyeongbokgung Chronicles Tour Routes
1. Choose your person of choice in the Chosen Dynasty by clicking on the right or left arrow (King, Civil Official, Crown Prince, Military Officers, Royal Women, Prince)
2. Choose a pinpoint of your desired location to view a pre-made video & description explaining the structure
(or start from the very lowest pinpoint, Gwanghwamun and work your way up)
3. Pick your next location based on sequence of the course, and have fun exploring the palace from the eyes of your person of choice!