Where to Unlock “Hanbok Perks” All Over Korea
Free entries, ticket discounts & bonus experiences when you show up in traditional dress.
Nothing beats stepping into Korea’s heritage sites wearing a flowing hanbok. Beyond gorgeous photos, the outfit is a golden ticket that unlocks free entry, big discounts, and special experiences all over the country. Below is a hand-picked route—from Seoul’s royal palaces to Jeonju’s foodie alleys and Gyeongju’s moonlit ponds—complete with addresses and the extra treats you’ll receive the moment you tie your otgoreum.
1. Seoul’s Five Royal Palaces – walk in free, feel like royalty
- Gyeongbokgung Palace (161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu)
- Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden (99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu)
- Changgyeonggung Palace (185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu)
- Deoksugung Palace (99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu)
- Gyeonghuigung Palace (45 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu)
Turn up in a full jeogori + chima/baji set and guards wave you straight through every ticket gate—no matter the season or special night opening. Gyeongbokgung adds a twice-daily guard-changing pageant, while Deoksugung pairs stone-wall strolls with evening jazz at its Western-style Seokjojeon Hall.
2. Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul – serenity on the house
Address: 157 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu
Slip into hanbok and the UNESCO-listed ancestral shrine of the Joseon kings waives the ₩1,000 fee. Quiet cypress courtyards are perfect for reflective photos before you wander over to nearby Ikseon-dong cafés.
3. Korean Folk Village, Yongin – discount bundle + rental inside
Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
Ask for the “Hanbok Discount Ticket” at the gate: admission drops roughly 37 percent and includes a three-hour costume rental so you can ride the period carousel, watch tight-rope shows, and mill your own rice cakes in character.
4. Jeonju Hanok Village – monthly half-price day & constant café perks
Address: 99 Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk
On the fourth Saturday each month “Jeonju Hanbok Day” slashes entry fees to paid galleries by 50 percent. Any other day, look for “한복 환영” stickers—many bibimbap restaurants, makgeolli bars, and craft studios knock ₩1,000–2,000 off or gift souvenirs when you arrive in silk sleeves. Don’t miss sunset from Omokdae hill for a sea of tiled rooftops.
5. Gyeongju Historic Sites – holiday freebies under moonlight
- Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond (102 Wonhwa-ro)
- Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex (9 Gyerim-ro)
Wear hanbok during Seollal or Chuseok holidays and the city waives tickets to its star attractions, including the pond whose pavilions mirror perfectly after dark and the grassy royal mounds where you can step inside Cheonmachong Tomb. The same perk covers several lesser-known Silla-era sites around town.
6. Deoksugung Gate Royal-Guard Experience – free costume cameo
Address: in front of Daehanmun Gate, 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu (City Hall Station, Exit 2)
After the 11:00, 14:00 or 15:30 guard-changing show, queue at the small booth to don a bright gatekeeper uniform for a five-minute photo shoot—no rental fee, no deposit. Switch back to your rented hanbok and explore the palace or nearby Cheonggyecheon stream.
Quick Tips to Maximise Your Hanbok Day
- Dress code matters – both top and bottom pieces must be traditional; simple floral coats don’t count.
- Rental math – Seoul shops start around ₩13,000 for two hours; Jeonju and Gyeongju trend cheaper.
- Lockers & ID – most boutiques hold your passport or a ₩50,000 deposit and include a locker.
- Weather watch – palaces sometimes close outer courts in heavy rain; check @royalpalace_korea for updates.
- Photo flow – morning palaces ➜ Bukchon alleys ➜ late-afternoon Folk Village ➜ night shots at Wolji Pond delivers one epic content reel.
Step into silk, save a bundle, and let Korea’s heritage backdrops turn every snapshot into a period drama poster.
