Visiting Temples & Palaces

Dress modestly

Shoulders and knees should be covered, especially in active Buddhist temples. Beach attire, very short shorts, or revealing tops can cause genuine offense.

This is more strictly observed at temples than palaces, but it’s good practice for both.

Remove your shoes

Before entering any temple hall or palace building you’ll walk on wooden floors. Shoe racks or shelves are at the entrance. Wear easy-to-remove shoes and consider clean socks — bare feet are technically OK but discouraged.

Be quiet inside

Active temples have monks meditating and worshippers praying. Keep your voice down. Phone calls and loud chatter are inappropriate.

In palaces, normal speaking voices are fine.

Photography rules

• Outside areas: photography almost always allowed
• Inside main temple halls: usually no photos, especially of Buddha statues or worshippers
• Behind altars or sacred objects: never
• Palace interiors: varies, look for posted signs (No Photo / 촬영금지)

When in doubt, ask “Sajin chwaeng-haedo dwaeyo?” (May I take a photo?) before snapping.

Entry fees and free options

• Major palaces in Seoul: 3,000 KRW each, or 10,000 KRW integrated pass for 5 palaces
• Major temples: usually 3,000–5,000 KRW; mountain temples often free
• Smaller historical sites: many are free

Hanbok = free palace entry

Wear traditional Korean clothing (hanbok) and you get free entry to all five royal palaces in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Jongmyo.

Hanbok rental shops near Gyeongbokgung typically charge 15,000–30,000 KRW for 1–4 hours.

What to do at temples

• Bow once when you enter the main gate
• If you want to bow inside the hall, do so silently from the back
• Don’t point your feet directly at the Buddha statue when sitting
• Coins or small bills in the donation box are appreciated but not expected