Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Joseon royal tombs are open free of charge to visitors during the current holiday period [1].
These initiatives aim to provide citizens with a cool refuge from the summer heat while promoting the accessibility of South Korea's cultural heritage. By removing admission fees, the city encourages residents and tourists to engage with historic sites during a peak travel window.
A highlight of the festivities is a summer shelter established within the traditional medicine room, known as the yakbang, at Changdeokgung Palace [1]. This space, which historically served the health needs of the Joseon royalty, has been repurposed as a public lounge where visitors can relax and drink traditional tea [2].
Visitors have noted the sensory appeal of the experience. Park Victoria, a resident of Goyang City, said the scent of herbal medicine was very good and improved her mood [1]. She said the omija tea was refreshing and lacked the strong bitterness often associated with the drink [1].
Reporter Moon Sang-ah said the location that once managed the health of the royal family is now serving as a summer shelter for citizens [2]. The integration of traditional architecture and herbal tea provides a cultural alternative to modern air-conditioned spaces.
The free opening of the yakbang summer shelter at Changdeokgung Palace is scheduled to run until Aug. 16 [1]. This period allows visitors to experience the intersection of royal history and traditional wellness practices during the height of the summer season.
“The free opening of the yakbang summer shelter at Changdeokgung Palace is scheduled to run until August 16.”
The decision to open royal sites for free during the holiday reflects a broader effort by Seoul to blend public health—specifically heat mitigation—with cultural diplomacy. By utilizing the yakbang's historical identity as a place of healing to offer tea and shade, the city transforms static monuments into functional community spaces, increasing the perceived value of heritage sites for younger and international audiences.
