Gyeongbokgung in Hanbok – We Dressed Like We Belonged in a Korean Palace 🇰🇷

https://youtu.be/seQsdxbSTmA

There are some things you do while travelling because they’re on every itinerary.

And then there are things that sound touristy…

until you actually do them.

Renting a hanbok in Seoul was definitely one of those.

On our third day in Korea, we headed towards Gyeongbokgung Palace, picked out traditional Korean outfits, brought along our tripod and essentially spent the next few hours pretending we had travelled a few hundred years backwards in time. 😂

And honestly?

This became one of my favourite days in Seoul.

First Mission: Finding Our Hanbok before going into Gyeongbokgung Palace

Before entering Gyeongbokgung, we needed clothes.

Not our normal clothes.

Hanbok.

Around the palace area there are plenty of rental stores, so we walked around looking for somewhere that wasn't ridiculously expensive but still had designs we actually liked.

Eventually, we found one.

And surprisingly, the price was quite reasonable.

Then came the difficult part:

choosing.

There are racks and racks of colours, patterns, jackets, skirts, accessories…

Suddenly something that sounded simple became a full fashion decision. 😂

Once everything was on, though, the whole day immediately felt different.

You step outside onto a completely normal Seoul street dressed like you've just walked out of another century.

And somehow…

nobody thinks it's strange.

That might be my favourite part.

Around Gyeongbokgung, seeing people walking around in hanbok is completely normal. Wearing traditional clothing has become a popular way for visitors to experience the palace and Korean culture.

Wear Hanbok for Free Entry Into Gyeongbokgung Palace

Then we arrived at the gates.

And this is where the hanbok suddenly made sense.

Modern Seoul disappears behind you.

In front are these enormous wooden gates, tiled roofs, courtyards and mountains sitting quietly in the background.

And when you're wearing normal clothes, you're visiting a historical site.

But wearing hanbok?

For a tiny moment, you almost feel like you're part of it.

Plus, you get free entry into the palace! 😂