Published: September 24, 2026 · Updated: October 31, 2026
Walk past Gyeongbokgung Palace on a sunny day and you’ll see crowds of visitors in bright hanbok, posing under old palace roofs. A hanbok rental near the palace is one of the most popular things to do in Seoul, and wearing one can get you in free.
Here’s how hanbok rental works, what counts as hanbok at the gate, and what’s changing with palace fees as of October 2026.
Quick Vocab
A few Korean words come up in this post — here’s how to say them.
- traditional Korean clothing – han bok
- short jacket (hanbok top) – jeo go ri
- hanbok skirt – chi ma
- hanbok pants – ba ji
- coat tie ribbon – go reum
- royal palace – gung
- long military-style robe – cheol lik
1. Why Wear Hanbok to the Palace?
Hanbok is Korea’s traditional clothing. A woman’s outfit is usually a short jacket called a jeogori with a long, full skirt called a chima. A man’s outfit pairs the jeogori with loose pants called baji.
Wearing it inside a palace just feels right. The wooden halls, stone courtyards and tiled roofs make a backdrop that hanbok was made for, which is why so many visitors want photos there.
There’s also a practical reason. Visitors wearing hanbok get free admission to Seoul’s four main palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung), Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs.
To be honest, the money you save is small. Adult admission to Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung costs 3,000 won, and Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Jongmyo cost 1,000 won (as of October 2026). The real reason to do it is the experience.
| Site | Adult admission | In hanbok |
|---|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung | 3,000 won | Free |
| Changdeokgung | 3,000 won | Free |
| Changgyeonggung | 1,000 won | Free |
| Deoksugung | 1,000 won | Free |
| Jongmyo Shrine | 1,000 won | Free |
| Joseon royal tombs | 500 to 2,000 won | Free |
Admission as of October 2026. A fee increase is under review, so check before you go.
Free entry is very common at these sites. In 2025, about 17.81 million people visited the four main palaces, Jongmyo and the royal tombs, and roughly 69 percent of them got in free.
2. How Hanbok Rental Works Near Gyeongbokgung
You won’t have trouble finding a hanbok rental shop. The streets between Gyeongbokgung Station and the palace are lined with hanbok rental places.
The process is simple at most shops. You choose a hanbok, the staff help you put it on, and you head out for a set number of hours.
What to check before you rent
- Rental time: Prices are usually set by the number of hours. Ask what happens if you return late.
- What’s included: Some shops include a hairstyle, hair accessories or a small bag. Others charge extra.
- Deposit and ID: Some shops ask for ID or a deposit. Ask before you pay so there are no surprises.
- Bag storage: Ask whether you can leave your bag and shoes at the shop while you’re at the palace.
- Style: If you want free entry, choose a set with a proper jeogori and a chima or baji. More on that below.
💡 Tip: Weekends and holidays get busy. If you have a set time in mind, book your hanbok rental a day or two ahead, and go early in the day for fewer people in your photos.
Hanbok rental prices vary a lot by shop, style and season, so compare a few before you choose. A simple traditional set usually costs less than a fancy fusion set with lace, embroidery or extra accessories.
3. What Counts as Hanbok for Free Entry
This is where people get turned away at the gate. The palace authority has a hanbok guideline on its website, and the basic rule is a top and a bottom.
That means a jeogori, plus a chima or baji. Almost any two-piece outfit that follows this pattern is accepted, whether it’s traditional or modern.
The jeogori needs to keep its wrap-style collar that overlaps in front. The ribbon, or goreum, can be missing, and it doesn’t matter how the top is tied.
| Usually accepted | Usually not accepted |
|---|---|
| Jeogori with a chima (skirt) | A jeogori over jeans |
| Jeogori with baji (pants) | Hanbok pants or skirt with a T-shirt |
| Modern hanbok that keeps the overlapping collar and a skirt | A heavily altered one-piece dress, such as a cheollik dress |
| Men’s or women’s hanbok, worn by anyone | A royal robe, cheollik or dopo worn on its own |
Based on the palace authority’s hanbok guideline as reported in May 2026.
Why aren’t robes enough? Long robes such as the cheollik and dopo count as outerwear. Wearing one alone is like wearing only a coat over your underclothes.
A jeogori can also be refused if it is shaped like a vest with no overlapping front, or if it is so short that it doesn’t cover the chest.
⚠️ Heads-up: Some rental shops push flashy, drama-style robes. They look great in photos, but on their own they may not get you in free. If free entry matters to you, ask the shop for a set with a jeogori and a skirt or pants.
Gender doesn’t matter anymore. Since July 2019, you can wear hanbok made for another gender and still get in free. The change followed a recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea.
4. Palace Fees and the Hanbok Rule Are Under Review
If you’re planning a trip for 2027, this part matters. The Korea Heritage Service had planned to announce higher fees in November 2026 and start them on January 1, 2027.
One option it considered was 5,000 won for all palaces and Jongmyo, and 3,000 won for royal tombs. In October 2026, it said the timing was undecided and that it would focus on improving visitor services first.
The hanbok free admission program is being reviewed at the same time. The agency is looking at which clothes count as hanbok, how they should be worn, and whether the program is fair and effective.
Part of the reason is disputes at the gates. Staff have had to decide on everyday hanbok-style clothes and on traditional clothing from other countries that looks similar.
💡 Tip: Nothing had changed for visitors as of late October 2026. If you’re visiting in 2027, check the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center’s website for the latest fees and hanbok rules a week or two before your trip.
5. Making the Most of Your Palace Visit
Gyeongbokgung is big, and hanbok slows you down a little, so give yourself time. Here’s how to plan a good visit.
Check the day and hours first
Palaces have regular closing days, and opening hours change with the season. Check the official site the day before, especially if your hanbok rental is only a few hours long.
Catch the guard ceremony
The royal guard changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun, the main gate, is free to watch and very photogenic. Guards in red, blue and yellow uniforms march with flags and drums, and hanbok fits right into the scene.
Watch for free days
Some holidays bring free entry for everyone. During the 2026 Chuseok holiday, for example, the four main palaces, Jongmyo and the royal tombs were free for all visitors. Those days are much more crowded, so if you want calm photos, avoid them.
Wear it with respect
Palaces are historic sites, not studio sets. Stay on the paths, don’t climb on railings or steps that are roped off, and give other visitors room for their photos.
Wearing hanbok properly, with the jeogori closed and the outfit complete, is the best way to enjoy it as it was meant.
Key Takeaways
- Wearing hanbok gets you free entry to Seoul’s four main palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Joseon royal tombs.
- You need a top and a bottom: a jeogori with an overlapping collar, plus a skirt or pants. Robes alone don’t count.
- Since July 2019, anyone can wear men’s or women’s hanbok and still get in free.
- As of October 2026, both palace fees and the hanbok free admission rules are under review.
If you only want photos, any hanbok rental works. If you also want free entry, ask the shop for a classic jeogori-and-skirt or jeogori-and-pants set.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can foreigners get free entry in hanbok?
Yes. The rule is about what you wear, not your nationality. Wear a proper top and bottom, and you can walk in free.
Can I wear my own hanbok instead of renting?
Yes. It doesn’t matter whether you rent it or own it. Traditional or modern hanbok both work, as long as there’s a jeogori with an overlapping collar and a skirt or pants.
Will palace prices go up in 2027?
Maybe, but not on the original schedule. In October 2026, the Korea Heritage Service said the timing of any increase was undecided and that improving visitor services would come first.
Can a man wear a woman’s hanbok, or the other way around?
Yes. Since July 2019, wearing hanbok made for another gender still qualifies for free admission.
My Take
On a visit to Korea, I brought an American couple and their child to Gyeongbokgung. My friends decided to rent hanbok, and their kid wore one straight out of KPop Demon Hunters and ran all over the palace.
I skipped it because it felt a little awkward, so I became the official photographer.
Looking at the photos later, I wished I’d joined them. If you’re visiting, don’t be like me. This free entry was made for you.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. Customs in Korea differ by region, generation, and family, and laws and official rules can change. Check the official sources linked below before you rely on a detail.
How this article was made: We researched official and reputable public sources, drafted this article with the help of AI tools, and had it reviewed by the author before publishing.
Sources
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center (Korea Heritage Service), Official palace information
- The Korea Times (Yonhap), Gov’t undecided on plan to raise admission fees to royal palaces, tombs (October 2026)
- The Asia Business Daily, Palace and royal tomb fee hike for January put on hold (October 2026)
- Yonhap via Daum, Fact check: what counts as hanbok for free palace entry (in Korean, May 2026)
- The Korea Herald, Free admission during the Chuseok holiday (2026)
Suggested Reading
- Seoul’s Five Palaces Compared: Which One Should You Visit First? – Your hanbok works at more than one palace. Here’s how to pick where to go.
- Bukchon Hanok Village (2026): Seoul’s Hanok Lanes, and How to Walk Them Quietly in One Morning – Bukchon is a short walk from Gyeongbokgung and a natural next stop in hanbok.