Updated October 29, 2026
Hanbok photo spots in Seoul
You're paying for the hanbok by the hour, so know where you're going before you put it on. These are the spots that make the photos, in walking order.
Inside Gyeongbokgung
1. Heungnyemun and the guard square
The first big gate inside Gwanghwamun. Shoot here at 10:00 or 14:00 and you get the guards in their coloured uniforms behind you. Ceremony times
2. Geunjeongjeon courtyard
The throne hall with its double roof and the stone rank markers lined up in front. Stand low and to one side so the roof fills the top of the frame. It's the most crowded spot, so come straight here when you enter.
3. The red-pillared corridors
The covered walkways (haenggak) that run around the courtyards. Long rows of pillars, soft shade, and a vanishing line behind you. This is the picture on this page.
4. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
The big banquet pavilion standing in a square pond, west of the throne hall. Shoot from the pond's edge with the reflection in the water. Calm, windless mornings give the cleanest reflection.
5. Hyangwonjeong
A small six-sided pavilion on an island at the back of the palace, reached by a wooden bridge. Many people never walk this far, so it's quieter. Beautiful in autumn leaves.
Bukchon Hanok Village
6. Bukchon-ro 11-gil slope
The best-known view in Bukchon: a sloping lane of tiled roofs with the city behind. It's in the red zone, so only between 10:00 and 17:00, and quietly. Visiting rules
7. The marked viewpoints
The district has marked a set of photo spots around the village, the "Bukchon views", with small signs on the ground. Follow them and you'll find the angles without wandering into private doorways.
Changdeokgung
8. Injeongjeon and the side halls
Changdeokgung is greener and less crowded than Gyeongbokgung, with buildings set into the hillside. Good on Tuesdays, when Gyeongbokgung is closed.
9. The Secret Garden (Huwon)
The pond pavilions here are among the most photographed scenes in Korea, especially in autumn. It's a guided tour with its own ticket, even in hanbok, so book a time.
When to shoot
- Right at opening. The first hour at Gyeongbokgung is the only time the throne hall courtyard is half empty.
- Overcast is fine. Bright midday sun puts harsh shadows under the hanbok collar. Cloud makes the colours even.
- Late afternoon in autumn. Low sun on the palace roofs and the leaves at Hyangwonjeong and Huwon.
- Avoid Tuesdays at Gyeongbokgung and Mondays at Changdeokgung. They're closed. Check your day
Questions
Where is the best place to take hanbok photos in Seoul?
Gyeongbokgung is the classic choice: the throne hall courtyard, the red-pillared corridors and Gyeonghoeru Pavilion on its pond. Bukchon's Bukchon-ro 11-gil slope is the best street view, between 10:00 and 17:00.
Do hanbok rental shops offer photographers?
Some shops and booking sites sell hanbok and photo-shoot packages with a photographer. Prices and length vary, so compare what's included.
Plan the route first, then book a slot long enough to walk it.
Compare hanbok rentals