Gyeongbokgung Palace

The answer to your first question is “No, I don’t know how to pronounce the name.” I found the palace on lark, with a spare weekend in Seoul, I looked on the internet for something to see that I could get to on the subway system. The Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of several palaces in Seoul, is located in the heart of the government district, surrounded by tall, modern, imposing government buildings housing the central government, the police headquarters, and several other major Korean government sections.
Although this palace long ago surrendered it’s official status, traditional guards still stand watch over the empty throne rooms and massive gates. .

The palace is very reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Bejing, although on a smaller scale. Large, sparse throne rooms housed inside classic chinese style structures dominate the wide paved grounds, and stone statues and bas-relief contrast the brightly painted rafters and pillars.  The palace did have one very uniqe structure, a large two story open air pavilion that served as a conference center for festivals and official functions. Located on the grounds of a large man made pond, the pavillion is a very exotic yet serene structure. stone islands with large delicately manicured pine trees provide a stately contrast to the red pillars that support the structures, and the still waters reflect the scene with a breathtaking impact. 

When to go: The best time to arrive is before the site opens at 09:00 in the morning, or an hour or so before closing (time varies by season). The early arrival will allow you to beat most of the crowds, and enjoy the nice morning light for the enhanced colors and softer light. If you arrive early, you can catch the traditional gate opening ceremony, and if you arrive around 15:00, you can catch the closing ceremony. The ceremonies are performed with traditional uniforms, drums and weapons, as the guard captains change shifts and secure the massive doors. You are likely to find much less crowds in the morning, and with the palace in the background, it’s easy to imagine the scene hundreds of years ago.

How to get there: The best way to go is by subway, the Gyeongbokgung Subway Station is right next to the palace, on the number three line. The palace is near major roads as well, so a taxi can easily take you there.