Palace Glossary — K-Heritage
25 essential terms for visiting Korean palaces, covering architecture, heritage concepts, and practical visitor information.
궁궐
Palace / 宮殿 / 宫殿
The residence and seat of power for the king and queen. Seoul's Five Grand Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeonghuigung) are the most notable.
전각
Throne Hall / 正殿 / 正殿
The main hall where the king conducted state affairs. Geunjeongjeon at Gyeongbokgung and Injeongjeon at Changdeokgung are prime examples.
행랑
Servant Quarters / 行廊 / 行廊
Buildings within the palace where officials and servants worked. Usually refers to the connected building complexes surrounding the throne halls.
문
Gate / 門 / 门
Entrance and defensive structure of a palace. Gwanghwamun at Gyeongbokgung is the main gate, the most ornate of all.
누각
Pavilion / 楼閣 / 楼阁
A multi-story structure raised on tall pillars. Gyeonghoeru is the iconic pavilion built over a lotus pond at Gyeongbokgung.
정
Pavilion (small) / 亭 / 亭
A small pavilion-style structure. Hyangwonjeong is the hexagonal pavilion on a pond in the rear garden of Gyeongbokgung.
담
Wall / 塀 / 墙
A boundary and defensive structure for the palace. Traditional brick walls topped with roof tiles are characteristic and also serve as aesthetic elements.
경복궁
Gyeongbokgung / 景福宮 / 景福宫
Built in 1395, the primary palace of the Joseon dynasty. Located in central Seoul and considered the pinnacle of Korean palace architecture.
창덕궁
Changdeokgung / 昌徳宮 / 昌德宫
Built in 1405. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, particularly famous for its rear garden (Secret Garden).
창경궁
Changgyeonggung / 昌慶宮 / 昌庆宫
Built in 1483. Adjacent to Changdeokgung, this palace once housed the royal zoo (Changgyeongwon).
덕수궁
Deoksugung / 徳寿宮 / 德寿宫
Originally built in 1395. The residence of Emperor Gojong in the late Joseon period, known for its unique blend of Korean and Western architecture.
종묘
Jongmyo / 宗廟 / 宗庙
The ancestral shrine of the Joseon royal family. A UNESCO World Heritage Site where royal rites honoring kings and queens were performed.
비원
Secret Garden / 秘苑 / 秘苑
The royal garden at the rear of a palace. Changdeokgung's rear garden is the most famous, harmonizing nature and architecture.
단청
Dancheong / 丹青 / 丹青
Traditional decorative coloring on palace buildings using five cardinal colors (blue, red, yellow, white, black) to protect and beautify the wood.
한복
Hanbok / 韓服 / 韩服
Traditional Korean clothing. Wearing hanbok grants free admission to the palaces and complements the palace scenery beautifully.
통합관람권
Integrated Ticket / 統合観覧券 / 综合门票
An annual pass granting unlimited access to all five grand palaces and Jongmyo Shrine. ₩10,000.
야간개장
Night Tour / 夜間営業 / 夜间开放
Special evening openings of the palace in spring and autumn, offering a magical experience with nighttime illumination.
근정전
Geunjeongjeon / 勤政殿 / 勤政殿
The throne hall of Gyeongbokgung. The most important building where the king held court and conducted state affairs.
경회루
Gyeonghoeru / 慶會樓 / 庆会楼
A two-story pavilion built on a pond within Gyeongbokgung. Used for royal banquets and state receptions.
향원정
Hyangwonjeong / 香遠亭 / 香远亭
A hexagonal pavilion on a pond in Gyeongbokgung's rear garden. Meaning "fragrance spreads far," it is one of the most photographed spots in Seoul.
광화문
Gwanghwamun / 光化門 / 光化门
The main gate of Gyeongbokgung. The largest and most ornate of all Joseon palace gates, featuring three archways.
사정전
Sajeongjeon / 思政殿 / 思政殿
The inner hall of Gyeongbokgung where the king handled daily affairs, located behind Geunjeongjeon.
강녕전
Gangnyeongjeon / 康寧殿 / 康宁殿
The king's bedchamber at Gyeongbokgung. A core palace building alongside Geunjeongjeon and Sajeongjeon.
교태전
Gyotaejeon / 交泰殿 / 交泰殿
The queen's bedchamber at Gyeongbokgung. Famous for the misty scenery over the pond in front of the hall.
춘추관
Chunchugwan / 春秋館 / 春秋馆
The building in Gyeongbokgung responsible for compiling royal records. The workspace of court historians who documented the king's words and actions.