Wearing Hanbok at Chuseok: A First-Timer’s Guide in Korea

If you are visiting Korea during Chuseok, wearing a hanbok (한복) can be one of the most memorable ways to experience the holiday.

Hanbok is Korea’s traditional clothing. Koreans do not normally wear it in everyday life today, but you can still see hanbok at traditional holidays, weddings, first-birthday celebrations, cultural events, and historical attractions.

For international travelers, Seoul makes trying hanbok surprisingly easy. Rental shops are concentrated around major royal palaces, especially Gyeongbokgung, and many are used to helping visitors who speak little or no Korean.

In 2026, Chuseok Day falls on Friday, September 25, and the official holiday runs from September 24 to September 26.

Here is what first-time visitors should know about choosing a hanbok, renting one, visiting a royal palace, taking photos, and staying comfortable during a Chuseok trip.

1. What Is Hanbok and What Should First-Time Visitors Know?

When many travelers imagine hanbok, they picture a colorful jacket with a wide flowing skirt. That is one of the best-known styles, but traditional Korean clothing includes several different pieces and designs.

Some useful words to know are:

• Jeogori (저고리): the upper garment or jacket
• Chima (치마): the long skirt commonly seen in women’s hanbok
• Baji (바지): traditional trousers
• Durumagi (두루마기): a long traditional outer coat
• Norigae (노리개): a decorative ornament worn with hanbok

Modern rental shops usually have a much wider range than you might expect. You may see simple traditional-looking outfits, brightly colored styles, modernized hanbok, and elaborate costumes designed mainly for photography.

Some very dramatic “royal” rental costumes are inspired by historical clothing rather than being exact reproductions. If your main interest is Korean history and traditional aesthetics, ask the staff for a more traditional style.

Does Wearing Hanbok Give You Free Palace Admission?

Normally, visitors wearing qualifying hanbok can enter Seoul’s four main royal palaces—Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung—without paying the regular admission fee.

Both traditional and modernized hanbok can qualify, but there are official clothing guidelines.

• You should wear both a proper upper garment and a skirt or traditional trousers.
• Wearing only a durumagi over regular clothes does not qualify.
• A jeogori with jeans, or a hanbok skirt with a regular T-shirt, does not qualify as a complete hanbok.
• Visitors should wear hanbok in a way that is appropriate for a cultural heritage site.

There is an important difference during Chuseok 2026.

According to Korea’s official 2026 Chuseok travel guidance, Seoul’s four major royal palaces are offering free admission during the holiday. This means you do not need to wear hanbok simply to save the entrance fee during that period.

Instead, think of the hanbok itself as the experience: a chance to enjoy the holiday atmosphere, explore traditional architecture, and take memorable photos.

2. How Does Hanbok Rental Work?

One of the easiest places to rent hanbok in Seoul is the area around Gyeongbokgung Palace.

There are many rental shops within walking distance of Gyeongbokgung Station and the palace entrance, so first-time visitors do not need to bring their own hanbok.

The process is usually straightforward:

1. Choose a rental shop and rental period.
2. Browse the available hanbok styles.
3. Find a size that fits comfortably.
4. Change with assistance from the staff.
5. Add optional accessories or hairstyling.
6. Leave large bags in storage if available.
7. Visit the palace and take photos.
8. Return the outfit before your rental time ends.

Many shops also offer hair accessories, small bags, traditional hats, decorative ornaments, and simple hairstyling.

How Long Should You Rent a Hanbok?

Two hours can be enough if you only want a few photos close to the palace entrance.

For a more relaxed visit, three to four hours is much more comfortable. Gyeongbokgung is larger than it looks on a map, and you may want time to stop for photos instead of rushing from one building to another.

Before paying, check:

• the basic rental period
• late-return fees
• whether hairstyling is included
• extra charges for accessories
• whether bag storage is available
• rain and cancellation policies

Chuseok can be a busy travel period, so advance reservations may be useful if you want a specific style or an early-morning fitting.

3. Where Should You Wear Hanbok?

Gyeongbokgung Palace

For a first hanbok experience, Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) is probably the easiest choice.

The large palace grounds offer traditional gates, courtyards, tiled roofs, ponds, mountains, and long stone walls, giving you plenty of different photo backgrounds.

Popular areas include:

• Geunjeongjeon Hall
• the area around Gyeonghoeru Pavilion
• Hyangwonjeong Pavilion
• the palace walls and gates

Keep in mind that special programs may have different schedules from ordinary palace admission. For example, the special 2026 interior tour of Gyeonghoeru and Hyangwonjeong is not operating from September 24 to 27 during the Chuseok period.

Changdeokgung Palace

If you prefer a quieter, greener setting, Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁) is another excellent choice.

Its palace buildings blend beautifully with the surrounding landscape, making it especially attractive for autumn hanbok photos.

The Secret Garden has separate visiting rules and schedules, so check the official information before planning your route.

Deoksugung Palace

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) is convenient if you are also exploring central Seoul.

For the 2026 Chuseok period, Deoksugung has announced free admission from September 24 to September 27.

Bukchon and Insa-dong

If your rental time allows, you can also walk through parts of Bukchon or Insa-dong after visiting a palace.

Bukchon is especially photogenic, but remember that it is a real residential neighborhood.

Keep your voice down, respect restricted areas, and never enter or photograph private homes without permission.

4. Practical Tips for Wearing Hanbok Comfortably

Lift Long Skirts Slightly on Stairs

If you are wearing a long chima, gently lift the front edge when climbing stairs so you do not step on the hem.

You do not need to pull it very high—just enough to walk safely.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

Some rental shops offer traditional-style footwear, but royal palaces involve a surprising amount of walking.

If you plan to spend several hours exploring, comfortable shoes are often the better choice.

Check the Weather

Chuseok is an autumn holiday, but September afternoons in Korea can still feel warm.

Hanbok can involve several layers, so lightweight clothing underneath is usually more comfortable.

Temperatures may drop later in the day, so check the forecast before leaving your hotel.

Carry as Little as Possible

A large travel backpack can be awkward with hanbok and can dominate your photos.

If your rental shop has lockers or storage, leave large bags there and carry only what you need.

Remember That the Palace Is a Cultural Heritage Site

Great photos are part of the fun, but palace buildings are historical heritage.

Do not climb on railings, enter restricted spaces, or lean against fragile architectural features just to get a better photo.

5. Complete Your Chuseok Experience with Korean Food

After returning your hanbok, you can continue the Chuseok experience with traditional holiday food.

The most famous Chuseok food is songpyeon (송편), a small chewy rice cake.

Common fillings include:

• sesame seeds and sugar
• beans
• red beans
• chestnuts

Songpyeon is generally not spicy. It is soft and chewy, with a lightly sweet or nutty filling.

Other foods you may see around Chuseok include:

• Jeon (전): savory pan-fried meat, seafood, tofu, or vegetables
• Japchae (잡채): chewy glass noodles with vegetables
• Yakgwa (약과): a sweet traditional Korean confection
• Sikhye (식혜): a sweet traditional rice drink

If you are vegetarian, do not assume a vegetable dish is automatically vegetarian. Korean holiday dishes may contain meat, anchovy broth, fish sauce, egg, or other animal-based ingredients.

People with allergies should also be careful with songpyeon because pieces that look similar may contain different fillings such as sesame, soybeans, beans, chestnuts, or nuts.

For another Chuseok cultural experience in Seoul, the official 2026 holiday guide lists Namsangol Hanok Village as hosting traditional performances, games, food-related activities, and a hanbok experience from September 25 to 27, 2026.

Conclusion

Wearing hanbok during Chuseok is more than a photo opportunity.

Walking through a Korean palace in traditional clothing can make the architecture, holiday atmosphere, and history feel much more immediate than simply looking at them from behind a camera.

For a first-time visitor, a simple plan works well:

1. Rent a hanbok near Gyeongbokgung.
2. Choose a three- or four-hour rental if you want a relaxed visit.
3. Explore the palace and take photos.
4. If you have extra time, continue to Insa-dong or Bukchon.
5. Finish the day with songpyeon or another Korean holiday food.

One final detail is worth remembering for 2026: Seoul’s four major royal palaces are offering free admission during the Chuseok holiday, so you do not need hanbok simply to avoid the entrance fee.

Wear it because you want to experience a little more of Korea’s traditional culture—and because walking through a palace in hanbok during Chuseok can be a wonderful memory from your trip.