The four royal palaces of Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung, Jongmyo Shrine and Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty from Sept. 14-18 will offer free admission during the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays. Shown is a pavilion at Sungneung, one of the East Nine Royal Tombs in Guri, Gyeonggi-do Province. (Royal Palaces and Tombs Center)

By Lee Kyoung Mi

The four royal palaces of Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung, Jongmyo Shrine and Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty will offer free admission during the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays.

The period from Sept. 14-18 includes the weekend before Chuseok Day. Over the five days, visitors can enter the palaces for free except Changdeokgung's Secret Garden. 

Jongmyo Shrine, which usually requires a reservation, will not require one during Chuseok.

The palaces, shrine and tombs on Sept. 19 will be closed at the end of the holiday period.

The ceremony for changing of the guard protecting Gyeongbokgung's gates will be held twice daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and that for gatekeepers and soldiers patrolling in and out of the palace and around the city starts at 3 p.m.

Programs during Chuseok will include "Gyeongbokgung Saenggwabang," in which visitors can sample royal confectionery and medicinal tea, and "Changdeokgung Yayeon," a reenactment of an evening event that a crown prince would arrange and host for his father. 

Visitors are asked to check if an event requires a fee or reservation.

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