Changdeokgung Palace offers moonlit tours to visitors in Seoul
- 4 years ago
가을 밤의 고궁, '창덕궁 달빛기행' 시작
Night tours are held at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul every year, but the pandemic forced the Korean Cultural Heritage Administration to postpone in 2020.
However, with eased social distancing guidelines now in place, the palace has opened its doors for locals in the capital area.
Our Choi Won-jong went to the palace to check it out for himself.
Imagine standing inside one of Seoul's royal palaces at night.
The Korean Cultural Heritage Administration is allowing Seoul residents to do just that...at Changdeokgung Palace for its annual moonlit night tours.
"As we're getting ready for this October, we decided to add new places that weren't part of previous tours. We'd like to make sure visitors can enjoy all the different spots at the palace."
"Previously, tours were launched in May and August but came to an end abruptly due to the unexpected spread of COVID-19. To make sure they can go ahead safely this time around, quarantine measures have been put in place."
Every visitor must check-in using QR codes.
After temperature checks and hand sanitizing, headsets and traditional lanterns are provided to help guide them along the tour.
To keep social distancing, officials have reduced group sizes from 100 to 20 people.
With only the light from lanterns and the voice from the tour guide, guests find their way to their first performance.
Through Nakseonjae complex, visitors find themselves at Sangrangjeong ,... where they listen to Korean traditional music played using bamboo flutes, Daegeum .
Just a few meters away from the secret garden, Juhamnu , one visitor explains why she was looking forward to coming.
"I have gotten so much stress lately amid the pandemic, but wanted to change that by coming here to check out these beautiful spots at the palace."
Tours will now last 100 minutes, up from 90, with additional spots added to the route.
At the Jondeokjeong secret garden, visitors are able to enjoy musical storytelling performances like Pansori while looking at small ponds.
At the last stop before heading home, there are performances of shadow puppets and Korean traditional fan dancers.
Tours will continue until October 25th but due to high demand, tickets are now completely sold out.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.
Night tours are held at Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul every year, but the pandemic forced the Korean Cultural Heritage Administration to postpone in 2020.
However, with eased social distancing guidelines now in place, the palace has opened its doors for locals in the capital area.
Our Choi Won-jong went to the palace to check it out for himself.
Imagine standing inside one of Seoul's royal palaces at night.
The Korean Cultural Heritage Administration is allowing Seoul residents to do just that...at Changdeokgung Palace for its annual moonlit night tours.
"As we're getting ready for this October, we decided to add new places that weren't part of previous tours. We'd like to make sure visitors can enjoy all the different spots at the palace."
"Previously, tours were launched in May and August but came to an end abruptly due to the unexpected spread of COVID-19. To make sure they can go ahead safely this time around, quarantine measures have been put in place."
Every visitor must check-in using QR codes.
After temperature checks and hand sanitizing, headsets and traditional lanterns are provided to help guide them along the tour.
To keep social distancing, officials have reduced group sizes from 100 to 20 people.
With only the light from lanterns and the voice from the tour guide, guests find their way to their first performance.
Through Nakseonjae complex, visitors find themselves at Sangrangjeong ,... where they listen to Korean traditional music played using bamboo flutes, Daegeum .
Just a few meters away from the secret garden, Juhamnu , one visitor explains why she was looking forward to coming.
"I have gotten so much stress lately amid the pandemic, but wanted to change that by coming here to check out these beautiful spots at the palace."
Tours will now last 100 minutes, up from 90, with additional spots added to the route.
At the Jondeokjeong secret garden, visitors are able to enjoy musical storytelling performances like Pansori while looking at small ponds.
At the last stop before heading home, there are performances of shadow puppets and Korean traditional fan dancers.
Tours will continue until October 25th but due to high demand, tickets are now completely sold out.
Choi Won-jong, Arirang News.