【 Photo: Wearing hanbok in Bukchon Hanok Village 】

While traveling throughout Korea, there are many ways to get a glimpse of the nation’s traditions and culture; trying the food or visiting ancient buildings to name a few, but nothing compares to trying on hanbok, the traditional clothing of Korea. Although hanbok is generally only worn on special occasions or during national holidays, it is growing in popularity among young couples and international visitors. Visit cultural centers like the ones featured here to try on a beautiful hanbok! The styles of hanbok available and the rental fees will vary by each program so be sure to check in advance!

Insa-dong PR Center LINK

【 Photo: Insa-dong PR Center’s hanbok experience (Credit: Insa-dong PR Center) 】

The Insa-dong PR Center is a living museum of modern history and Korean culture. The center offers on-site commentated tour guides and assistance in multiple languages (English, Japanese and Chinese available) in order to promote the understanding of Korean traditions and history among locals and international visitors alike. In addition, the center provides tourism leaflets and diverse cultural events such as trying on traditional clothing and musical performances, as well as free wireless internet access for all visitors. The center has a particularly wide selection of hanbok designs, including ones that were worn in the royal court, which feature colors favored by high-level officials, as well as designs that represent various social classes of Korea’s past.

Insa-dong PR Center

• Address: 19, Insa-dong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 인사동 11길 19)
• Directions
  - Walk for approx. 5 min from Jonggak Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 3-1
  - Walk for approx. 5 min from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 6
  - Walk for approx. 10 min from Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3, 5), Exit 5
• Participation info (Hanbok experience): First-come, first-served basis on-site (Max. of 10 participants per session)
  * Advance phone reservations only available for groups of 10 people or more
  * Experience only allowed within the center
• Operating hours (Hanbok experience): 10:00-12:00 / 13:00-17:30 (Last fitting 17:00) / Open all year round
  * Experience limited to 20 min
• Participation fee: 3,000 won (rental limited to one hanbok per person)
• Inquiries: +82-2-737-7890~1 (Korean, English, Japanese)
• Website: www.hiinsa.com (Korean, English)

Deoksugung Palace’s Daehanmun Gate LINK

• 【 Photo: Deoksugung Palace Changing of
  the Guards Ceremony 】

• 【 Photo: Guard experience
  (Credit: Seoul Metropolitan Government))

A traditional changing of the guards ceremony takes place every day of the week, excluding Mondays, in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace, a palace of the Joseon dynasty located in Jung-gu, Seoul. In addition to viewing the fascinating progression of the changing of the guards, visitors can also try on traditional guard uniforms and other hanbok for free. Visitors must sign up online to participate in the “I am Also a Chief Gatekeeper” program, which includes a short training before donning the guard uniform and joining in the ceremony. Visitors who are looking for something less involved can visit the hanbok rental booth in front of the main gate to try on traditional guard uniforms and other hanbok for free. Just sign your name on the list and wait your turn, then the staff at the booth will help you try on the item of your choice.

Hanbok rental booth

• Address: 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 세종대로 99)
• Directions: Walk for approx. 2 min from City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 2
• Participation guide (Hanbok experience): First-come, first-served basis on-site
  * Advance reservations not accepted
  * Not available in the case of heavy rain or snow, or during periods of extreme cold
  * Experience only allowed in the courtyard before Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace
• Operating hours (Hanbok experience): Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00
  * Closed during lunch break 12:00-13:00 / Not available on Mondays
  * Experience limited to 5 min
  * Canceled in the case of protests in front of Deoksugung Palace
• Participation fee: Free

I am Also a Chief Gatekeeper

• Address: 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 세종대로 99)
• Directions: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 2), Exit 2, 12. Walk approx. 2min.
• Participation guide (Guard experience): Limited to two participants per day (first-come, first-served basis)
  * Participants must come to the guard waiting room by 13:00 in order to receive guard uniform and training before the ceremony.
  * Ceremony and experience subject to cancellation due to adverse weather (Participants will be contacted in the case of cancellation)
  * Canceled in the case of protests in front of Deoksugung Palace
• Operating hours (Guard experience): Tuesday-Sunday 14:00 / Not available on Mondays
• Participation fee: Free
• Website: royalguard.kr (Korean, English)

Unhyeongung Royal Residence LINK

• 【 Photo: Unhyeongung Royal Residence 】

• 【 Photo: Hanbok experience booth
  (Credit: Korean Culture and Information Service) 】

Unhyeongung Royal Residence, located in Anguk-dong, functioned as the personal residence of Heungseon Daewongun (1820-1898), a politician and the father of King Gojong. The building serves as a wonderful example of house used by the aristocrats in the late Joseon dynasty. A hanbok experience program is available in the exhibition hall, located across from the tourist information booth. Customers can choose whatever clothing they’d like to try, or ask for recommendations from the staff. Participants can wear the hanbok for about 20 minutes.

Unhyeongung Royal Residence

• Address: 464, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로 464)
• Directions
  - Walk for approx. 2 min from Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 4
  - Walk for approx. 5 min from Jongno 3(sam)-ga Station (Seoul Subway Line 1, 3, 5), Exit 5
• Participation guide (Hanbok experience): First-come, first-served basis on-site
  * Advance reservations not accepted
  * Must purchase hanbok experience ticket from the ticket booth.
  * Experience only allowed within Unhyeongung Royal Residence.
  * Bag and personal item storage unavailable.
• Operating hours (Hanbok experience): Tuesday-Sunday
  - April-October 09:00-19:00
  - November-March 09:00-18:00
  * Closed Mondays (Operating as normal in the case of a public holiday falling on a Monday)
  * May be unavailable due to circumstances on-site.
  * Hanbok experience not available during lunch break (12:00-13:00)
• Participation fee: 3,300 won (rental based on one hanbok per person)
• Website: www.unhyeongung.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)