National Heritage Administration Opens Four Grand Palaces, Jongmyo, and Royal Tombs Free During Chuseok Holiday

The National Heritage Administration (Administrator Huh Min) will open palaces and royal tombs free of charge in celebration of Chuseok, Korea's traditional autumn holiday, and operate various programs where visitors can directly experience intangible heritage and folk games.

First, the National Heritage Administration's Palace and Royal Tomb Heritage Division (Director Cho Kyu-hyung) will open the Four Grand Palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung), Jongmyo, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty free of charge from the 24th to the 27th for four days (excluding the rear garden of Changdeokgung). In particular, Jongmyo, which is normally operated by reservation, can be freely visited during this Chuseok holiday period.

In addition to free admission, visitors can watch the 'Gyeongbokgung Changing of the Guard Ceremony' (10 a.m., 2 p.m.), 'Guard Sentry Ceremony (11 a.m., 1 p.m.)', and 'Guard Patrol Ceremony' (3 p.m.) without prior reservation. Additionally, for citizens who find it difficult to visit the palaces in person, an online participatory program called 'Everyone's Genre Painting 2026' has been prepared. From the 18th through November 1st, visitors can create their own Joseon Dynasty character on the Everyone's Genre Painting website (www.pungsokdo.com) and experience the unique charm of traditional culture.

The National Heritage Administration's National Institute of Intangible Heritage (Director Gil Tae-hyun) will hold '2026 Chuseok Folk Game Festival' at the National Institute of Intangible Heritage in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province on the 19th at 1 p.m. in celebration of Chuseok.

At this event held for Chuseok, a Yut game tournament featuring 32 teams will take place, targeting family visitors and adults. The Yut game tournament will be conducted in an elimination tournament format, with prizes awarded to the top four winning teams.

The National Heritage Administration expressed its hope that families, friends, and couples will experience traditional culture together during the Chuseok holiday and visit the grand palaces and royal tombs, which are Korea's representative cultural heritage, without burden, to enjoy a joyful and abundant Korean Thanksgiving.