Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Joseon Royal Tombs are open free of charge to visitors during the current holiday period [1, 2].
This initiative provides local citizens and foreign tourists with free cultural access while promoting public well-being through traditional Korean health practices during the summer heat [1, 3].
As part of the festivities, a summer shelter has been established using the palace's historic medicine room [1, 3]. The space offers visitors a unique way to cool down while experiencing the atmosphere of the Joseon dynasty. The shelter provides traditional refreshments, including omija tea and jehotang [1, 3].
Alí Handro, a visitor from Spain, said the space allowed his child to settle and relax while they enjoyed the tea and the cool environment. He said they were having a pleasant break in the beautiful space [1].
Reporter Moon Sang-ah said the area is filled with the scent of medicinal herbs, creating a feeling of health just by standing there [1].
The free admission period is tied to the holiday, but the specialized summer-shelter program will continue to operate until Aug. 16 [1].
Visitors to the Seoul area can access these sites to explore the architectural heritage of the royal tombs and shrines without the usual entry fees [1, 2].
“Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Joseon Royal Tombs are open free of charge during the holiday period.”
By combining free admission with a health-focused cooling center, South Korean authorities are leveraging cultural heritage to drive tourism and public wellness. The use of a historic medicine room to serve traditional teas transforms a static museum experience into an interactive wellness activity, aligning traditional Joseon-era medicine with modern summer tourism needs.
