KOREA · HANBOK
Hanbok Guide: Free Palace Entry and Rental Sizing
Renting a hanbok for a palace visit? Check whether your outfit meets the free-entry rule before you go, see what tickets cost, and get tips for choosing the right size.
Does my hanbok get free entry?
You can enter the palaces free
- A wrap-collar jeogori with a hanbok skirt or trousers meets the guideline. Traditional and modern hanbok both count, and ties or knots do not matter.
- Foreign visitors wearing hanbok are also eligible.
Based on the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center’s hanbok guideline. Staff at the gate make the final call, and outfits that show too much skin are discouraged.
Example
A rental jeogori with a wrap collar and a chima skirt qualifies. The same jeogori with jeans does not, and neither does a one-piece hanbok dress without a jeogori.
The official free-entry rule
Korea’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center (Korea Heritage Service) lists people wearing hanbok among those who enter the royal palaces and Jongmyo free. Its guideline says both traditional and modern hanbok count. You need a top (jeogori) and a bottom (skirt or trousers). The jeogori must keep a crossed, wrap-style collar, though it does not matter how it ties. Trousers should follow the traditional baji shape. Any skirt style is fine, but with a skirt that ties at the waist the jeogori must reach the waist. A durumagi (long coat) alone, a T-shirt-style top, a one-piece dress, or a jeogori with jeans does not count.
Palace fees for foreign visitors
| Place | Fee |
|---|---|
| Gyeongbokgung Palace | 3,000 won |
| Changdeokgung Palace (main area) | 3,000 won |
| Changdeokgung Secret Garden (Huwon), extra | 5,000 won |
| Changgyeonggung Palace | 1,000 won |
| Deoksugung Palace | 1,000 won |
| Jongmyo Shrine | 1,000 won |
Foreign visitors aged 18 or under or 65 or over also enter free. The Secret Garden (Huwon) at Changdeokgung is a separate ticket that sells out fast in spring and autumn, so check its booking rules before you go.
Choosing a rental size
There is no official hanbok size chart, and rental shops each use their own sizes. A chima (skirt) wraps around and ties, so it fits a wide range of waists; length is what changes most with height. Tell the shop your height and the size you usually wear, try it on before you leave, and if you are tall, ask whether longer skirts are available. Wear thin, light clothes underneath, and flat shoes if you plan to walk around the palaces.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreigners get free palace entry in hanbok?
Yes. The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center says the free entry for hanbok wearers applies to Koreans and foreigners alike, because its purpose is to spread hanbok worldwide.
Does a modern (fusion) hanbok count?
Yes, both traditional and modern hanbok count, as long as you wear a jeogori with a crossed, wrap-style collar and a hanbok skirt or trousers. A top worn like a T-shirt or a one-piece dress does not count.
What size hanbok should I rent?
There is no standard hanbok size chart, and each rental shop sizes differently. Tell the shop your height and usual clothing size. Skirts wrap and tie, so length matters more than waist size; if you are tall, ask for a longer skirt.
How much is Gyeongbokgung without hanbok?
For foreign adults aged 19 to 64 it is 3,000 won. Foreign visitors aged 18 or under or 65 or over enter free.
More tools
Sources and last updated
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Hanbok free admission guideline and Q&A (checked 2026-10-27, in Korean)
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Center, Admission fees and free admission (checked 2026-10-27, in Korean)
- No official hanbok size standard was found, so sizing tips are general advice. Rules and fees can change; check the official site before visiting.
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