Palaces, Cheong Wa Dae offer cultural events

Various cultural events are expected to take place at Joseon-era (13921910) palaces and Cheong Wa Dae (the former presidential office) in Seoul to celebrate spring’s arrival. Flowers are expected to blossom at the end of this month before reaching peak bloom in April, according to the state-run Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) Royal Palaces and Tombs Center.

Gyeongbok Palace will offer its spring nighttime tour program from April 5 to May 31, the government agency said Thursday.

The night view of Gyeongbok Palace in spring is well-known for its stunningly illuminated cherry blossoms.

Up to 2,500 visitors will be admitted per evening. Reservations are required and can be made through the 11Street website. Online reservations opened on March 29 for April admissions and will open on April 26 for May admissions, with each person limited to two tickets.

Each day 200 tickets will be set aside for foreigners to purchase at the Gwanghwamun Ticket Office. There are no nighttime tours on Mondays and Tuesdays, and visits will also be restricted from April 26 to May 2 due to the Royal Culture Festival. The opening hours are from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with the last admission time set at 8:30 p.m.

“The Spring Gyeongbok Palace Night Tour will provide visitors an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and value of our royal palace. We hope the royal palace continues to serve as a cultural space for the public by developing and operating a variety of experience programs,” CHA said.

Gyeonghoeru, the largest two-story pavilion inside Gyeongbok Palace, will be open for special tours from April 1 to Oct. 30. There will be no tour in July when summer temperatures peak. Gyeonghoeru was used for banquets for the king and his subjects and foreign envoys.

It will be open four times daily: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Each 30-minute guided tour can accommodate up to 30 guests. Reservations for Gyeonghoeru tours opened on March 25 on the website of Gyeongbok Palace Management Office.

Visitors can enjoy the scenery of the palace and Mount Inwang from the second floor, where public access is usually restricted.

At Changdeok Palace, a seasonal program titled “Nakseonjae Hall Embracing Spring” will be held through April 6. Visitors can go on a guided tour around the Nakseonjae area, famous for its beautiful garden and flowers blossoming in spring. At Changgyeong Palace, a gardening event will be held on April 21 and 22, where visitors can plant peonies.

Cheong Wa Dae, the newest major tourist attraction in Korea since it opened to the public in May last year, will host concerts from March 29 through April 14. Cheong Wa Dae has been visited by more than three million people as of March 1, according to CHA.

The concerts will take place twice daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Performers include fusion and traditional music groups including sEODo Band, known for unique variations of traditional and pop music, a cappella group Narin, jazz trio Gentle Rain and brass instrument jazz quintet Mr. Brass. The events may be enjoyed by all ticket holders at Cheong Wa Dae.