The science gallery
Sejong-era water clock.
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The museum of royal life under the Joseon dynasty and the Korean Empire, holding more than forty thousand objects from Seoul's palaces. It began in 1908 as an Imperial Museum in Changgyeonggung, moved between palaces, and settled in 2005 in a modern building within the walls of Gyeongbokgung, near its southern gate. Its galleries show royal seals and written edicts, the robes of kings and queens, palace furniture and tableware, and royal carriages, including the Korean Empire's first motor cars from the early twentieth century. One of the finest sections is the science gallery, with the water clock, astronomical instruments and rain gauges made in the reign of King Sejong. Another gallery shows court paintings and scrolls of royal occasions, recording weddings, processions and banquets in detail. The English captions are clear, and the museum is the best place to understand what you will see in the palaces afterwards. Entry is free, and you can visit before or after Gyeongbokgung, as it lies within the same walls. It closes on the last Monday of each month.
Sejong-era water clock.
And the Empire's first cars.
Processions and banquets.
12 Hyoja-ro, inside the walls of Gyeongbokgung; Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3), exit 5
Gyeongbokgung PalaceThe largest and best known of Seoul's five royal palaces, and the first one the 5 minutes walk4.5
Gwanghwamun SquareThe great square in the heart of Seoul, running about a kilometre and a half sou6 minutes walk4.6
Cheonggyecheon StreamA stream running about 11 kilometres through the heart of Seoul, brought back to11 minutes walk4.5
Bukchon Hanok VillageAn old residential quarter between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, with13 minutes walk4.5
InsadongSeoul's street of traditional arts and crafts, and historically the largest mark14 minutes walk4.4Yes, entry is free. It lies within the walls of Gyeongbokgung but has its own entrance that does not need a palace ticket.