Chuseok is a wonderful time to photograph Seoul’s traditional side. Visitors in hanbok add color to the royal palaces, while hanok neighborhoods and markets fill with seasonal food, autumn fruit, and holiday decorations.
In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Friday, September 25. The official holiday runs from Thursday, September 24, through Saturday, September 26. Seoul’s four major royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine offer complimentary general admission during this period.
That does not mean every attraction, restaurant, or market stall will be open. Many Koreans spend the holiday with family, so independent businesses may close or shorten their hours. Build your photography plan around palaces and public spaces, then confirm restaurants and shops on the day of your visit.

1. Grand Palace Views: Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung

1) Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung is one of the easiest places for first-time visitors to photograph hanbok and Korean palace architecture in the same frame. Gwanghwamun Gate, Geunjeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and Hyangwonjeong Pavilion each offer a different composition.

Standard September and October hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with final admission at 5:00 p.m. General admission is complimentary during the 2026 Chuseok holiday, although special programs may still require a reservation or fee.

Access to the stone platform around Geunjeongjeon Hall is restricted from September 2 through October 31, 2026. You can still photograph the hall, but you may not be able to walk onto the platform.

Arrive shortly after opening for quieter courtyards.
Use the side corridors to create depth instead of taking every photo straight on.
Photograph Gyeonghoeru from a low angle to include its reflection.
Choose a hanbok that is comfortable for walking and climbing steps.
Check the rules before using a large tripod, professional light, or commercial equipment.

2) Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden

Changdeokgung feels more closely connected to its natural surroundings than Seoul’s more formal palace spaces. Tiled roofs, stone paths, mature trees, and gently changing ground levels create beautiful layered photographs.

Injeongjeon Hall and Nakseonjae are good for architecture, while the Secret Garden is known for ponds, pavilions, and wooded scenery.

Morning light works well around Injeongjeon and its corridors.
Focus on wooden doors and window patterns around Nakseonjae.
Check reservations separately for the Secret Garden.
Holiday admission benefits may not cover every limited or guided program.
Stay on the designated path and never enter planted areas for a photograph.

Check the Official 2026 Chuseok Travel Guide

2. Hanok and Hanbok Photos: Bukchon and Namsangol

3) Bukchon Hanok Village

Bukchon offers a rare view of traditional tiled roofs against modern central Seoul. It is also a real residential neighborhood, not an outdoor film set. Visitors must protect residents’ privacy and keep noise to a minimum.

Tourist visits to the Red Zone around Bukchon-ro 11-gil are allowed only from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Entering for tourism between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. can result in a fine of KRW 100,000.

Visit after 10:00 a.m. and leave before 5:00 p.m.
Sunday is promoted as a rest day for the alleyways, so choose another spot if possible.
Never open a private gate or look into a residential courtyard.
Avoid photographing residents’ faces and vehicle license plates.
Do not block an alley while posing or setting up equipment.
Keep conversations quiet and avoid drones or large tripods.

4) Namsangol Hanok Village

Namsangol Hanok Village is a cultural site with restored traditional houses and gardens. It is easier to explore than a residential hanok neighborhood, and you can photograph wooden verandas, stone walls, jars, ponds, and pavilions.

The 2026 Namsan Moonlight Madang is scheduled for September 25–27. The program includes traditional performances, hanbok experiences, folk games, and a K-food market.

Photograph the buildings before performance areas become crowded.
Ask before taking close-up photos of participants.
Use evening lights to frame the curves of the tiled roofs.
Turn off your flash during performances.
Some activities may require a reservation or fee and may fill up early.

3. Old and New Seoul: Deoksugung and Gwanghwamun Square

5) Deoksugung Palace and Stonewall Road

Deoksugung combines Korean palace buildings with Western-style stone architecture. This contrast makes it one of Seoul’s most varied photography locations. Connect Junghwajeon Hall, Seokjojeon Hall, and Deoksugung Stonewall Road for three different visual styles.

Deoksugung normally stays open until 9:00 p.m., with final admission at 8:00 p.m., making it particularly useful for evening palace photography.

Frame Junghwajeon through the columns of a nearby corridor.
Use a centered composition to emphasize Seokjojeon’s symmetry.
Visit the stonewall road around sunset for warm street lighting.
After rain, look for reflections on the pavement.
Keep tripods and bags out of the pedestrian lane.

6) Gwanghwamun Square

Gwanghwamun Square connects the statues of King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin with Gwanghwamun Gate and Bugaksan Mountain. It is a strong choice when you want one image to show both historic and modern Seoul.

Use a low vertical composition to include Gwanghwamun and the mountain.
Visit around sunset for palace lighting and a deep blue sky.
Protect your camera and phone near the fountains.
Expect route changes when public events or demonstrations are taking place.
Do not climb on monuments or lean equipment against public art.

4. Holiday Food and Alleys: Gwangjang Market and Ikseon-dong

7) Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is ideal for photographing sizzling pancakes, trays of fruit, bowls of noodles, rice cakes, and vendors at work. Ask permission before taking a close-up photo of a person or their food preparation.

“May I take a photo?” can be expressed as Sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo? (사진 찍어도 돼요?). It is considerate to order something rather than taking many photos and leaving without buying food.

Bindaetteok (빈대떡): A thick mung bean pancake with a crisp surface and moist center. Many versions contain pork.
Tteokbokki (떡볶이): Chewy rice cakes in a sweet and spicy gochujang sauce. Fish cake and seafood-based stock are common.
Mini gimbap (꼬마김밥): Small rice rolls that are usually mild. Sesame oil and sesame seeds are often used.
Yukhoe (육회): Seasoned raw beef. Pregnant travelers, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems should avoid it.
Kalguksu (칼국수): Soft, knife-cut noodles in warm broth. Anchovies or seafood may be used in the stock.

Holiday hours vary by vendor. The market passage may be accessible even when many individual stalls are closed, so check again shortly before visiting.

8) Ikseon-dong Hanok Streets

Ikseon-dong’s narrow hanok alleys are filled with cafés and small restaurants. Traditional roofs, modern storefronts, desserts, and evening lights create a very different look from the royal palaces.

You may find several seasonal Korean treats:

Songpyeon (송편): Chewy rice cakes filled with sesame, beans, chestnuts, or sweet paste. They are mildly sweet rather than spicy.
Yakgwa (약과): A rich and chewy pastry commonly made with wheat flour, oil, honey, or syrup.
Sikhye (식혜): A chilled, sweet rice drink containing soft grains of rice.
Korean tea: Yuja, jujube, and omija teas are popular, but sweetness varies by café.

Check songpyeon fillings if you are allergic to sesame or nuts. Yakgwa usually contains wheat and may contain honey, making it unsuitable for some gluten-free or strict vegan diets.

Ikseon-dong businesses set their own holiday schedules. Expect some cafés and restaurants to close or operate for shorter hours on Chuseok Day.

5. Full-Moon and Night Views: Namsan and Cheonggyecheon

9) Namsan Park and N Seoul Tower

Namsan is one of the best places to combine Seoul’s skyline, wooded slopes, and N Seoul Tower in a single frame. If you hope to photograph the Chuseok moon, arrive before sunset and choose your position in advance.

Use tree branches to create a natural frame around the tower.
At the observatory, hold the lens close to the glass to reduce reflections.
The blue hour just after sunset balances city lights with color in the sky.
The moon’s position and visibility depend on time, weather, and cloud cover.
Cable car and observatory tickets are not free, and holiday queues may be long.

10) Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon is an easy final stop after Gwanghwamun, Jongno, or Gwangjang Market. Reflections from bridges and surrounding buildings can add movement and color to nighttime photographs.

Watch for wet and slippery stones near the water.
Do not block the narrow walking path with a tripod.
Keep long-exposure sessions brief and use a quieter section.
Do not leave bags or equipment on stairs.
Sections may close temporarily during heavy rain.

Start at Gyeongbokgung Palace on Google Maps

Conclusion

Seoul’s best Chuseok photo spots fall into four easy categories: royal palaces, hanok neighborhoods, traditional markets, and nighttime viewpoints.

A practical first-time itinerary could look like this:

Morning: Gyeongbokgung Palace
Late morning: Bukchon or Changdeokgung Palace
Afternoon: Namsangol Hanok Village
Evening: Gwangjang Market or Ikseon-dong
Night: Cheonggyecheon or Namsan

Choose three or four places instead of trying to visit all ten in one day. Bukchon remains a residential neighborhood, and vendors and festival participants also have a right to privacy. Respectful photography is just as important as finding the perfect composition.

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