This year's "Moonlight Tour" at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul will open on April 21, with the historical landmark to be illuminated after dawn.
The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center of the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) on April 13 announced that this year's tour is scheduled for Thursday to Sunday weekly from April 21 to June 12.
Now in its 13th year, the tour offers beautiful night views of Changdeokgung, a UNESCO World Heritage.
For the first time in the tour's history, the program will feature Huijeongdang Hall. Located between Seonjeongjeon Hall, the king's office, and Daejojeon Hall, the queen's quarters, Huijeongdang was the communal residence hall of the royal couple during the Joseon Dynasty. It was destroyed by fire in 1917 and rebuilt in 1920.
At the time of its reconstruction, the exterior followed Joseon's architectural style and the interior incorporated Western elements such as chandeliers and radiators. Thus the building is considered a space that harmonizes tradition and modernity.
During the tour, visitors can see traditional art performances throughout the palace including at Sangryangjeong Pavilion in Nakseonjae's Secret Garden, and receive a mug and royal medicinal tea as souvenirs.
To guard against COVID-19, the number of participants will be limited to 100 per day and the tour will be run in groups of 25.
Tickets can be purchased from April 14 at 2 p.m. through Interpark. Those during the Palace Culture Festival from May 10-22 will be reserved separately. One ticket is priced at KRW 30,000.
