Complete Guide to Free Palace & Royal Tomb Admission During Lunar New Year

Complete Guide to Free Palace & Royal Tomb Admission During Lunar New Year｜How to Get Gyeongbokgung’s “Byeongo Year Sehwa” (First-Come, First-Served) + Free Entry Schedule (2/14–2/18)

As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, many people start wondering, “Where should we go?” Especially for those in their 40s to 70s, a popular choice is a meaningful, walk-friendly outing that doesn’t cost money.

This year comes with genuinely great news: the Cultural Heritage Administration will offer free admission to royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Joseon royal tombs throughout the Lunar New Year holiday. On top of that, Gyeongbokgung Palace will host a special event giving away traditional New Year artwork called “Sehwa (歲畫)” for free.

In this post, I’ll summarize the free admission dates, the full list of places you can visit for free, and the most important part—how to receive the Gyeongbokgung Sehwa giveaway (“Byeongo Year Sehwa”) on a first-come, first-served basis. Share this in your family group chat before gatherings—you’ll instantly become the “information hero.”

1) Key Summary of Free Admission (Remember This Only)

The free admission program runs during the Lunar New Year holiday period (2/14–2/18). The key point is that sites will be open and free even on days that are normally closed.

  • Free admission period: Feb 14 (Sat) – Feb 18 (Wed), 2026 (5 days total)
  • Free admission sites: 22 locations including the Four Grand Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Joseon Royal Tombs
  • Important: All Four Palaces + Jongmyo + Royal Tombs will be closed on Feb 19 (Thu)
  • Changdeokgung Secret Garden: Not included in the free admission program

Jongmyo Shrine is often operated with time-slot entry, but during the holiday period, free independent entry (no timed viewing) is allowed—which is another big advantage.

2) Where Can You Go for Free? (Full List of 22 Sites)

Here is the full list of free-admission sites during the Lunar New Year holiday. Before anyone asks “Which place should we go?”, just copy and paste this list into your family chat.

(1) Four Grand Palaces + Jongmyo Shrine

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace
  • Changdeokgung Palace (but Secret Garden excluded)
  • Deoksugung Palace
  • Changgyeonggung Palace
  • Jongmyo Shrine (free independent entry during the holiday)

(2) Joseon Royal Tombs (including won/myo)

  • Donggureung, Gwangneung, Hongyureung, Sareung, Taegangneung, Jeongneung, Uireung
  • Yeonghwiwon·Sunginwon, Seolleung & Jeongneung, Heoninreung, Seooreung, Paju Jangneung
  • Seosamneung, Yungneung & Geonneung, Paju Samneung, Gimpo Jangneung
  • Yeongneung (King Sejong Historic Site)

A royal tomb walk is often less crowded, which makes it ideal for a calm family outing. It’s a great “value course” that offers walking + healing + photos all in one.

3) Gyeongbokgung Sehwa Free Giveaway: How to Get “Byeongo Year Sehwa” (First-Come, First-Served)

The highlight of this Lunar New Year event is the free Sehwa giveaway at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Sehwa is not just a picture—it is a traditional New Year artwork believed to ward off illness and disasters while inviting good fortune. Historically, it was a royal tradition where the king presented Sehwa to officials, later spreading into folk culture.

(1) Giveaway Schedule & Location

  • Dates: Feb 16 (Mon) – Feb 18 (Wed), 2026 (3 days)
  • Location: Heungnyemun Square, Gyeongbokgung Palace (in front of the ticket office)
  • Distribution: Twice per day
  • Time: 10:20 AM / 2:20 PM

(2) Quantity (This Is What Matters)

  • 1,000 copies per session
  • 2,000 copies per day
  • 6,000 copies total (3-day total)
  • First-come, first-served (may run out early)

In other words: if you arrive late, you may not get one. If you want Sehwa, it’s best to arrive 30–40 minutes before distribution time.

(3) What’s the Theme This Year?

The 2026 Sehwa was created in collaboration with Jung Gwi-ja, a holder of Seoul’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in folk painting (Minhwa), and features the theme “The Red Horse Guardian of the Twelve Zodiac Deities.”

Think of it as a lucky New Year keepsake—placing it near your entrance or living room can make your home feel instantly more festive and “blessed.”

4) Only Paper? No—You Can Download a Digital Version Too

If you can’t visit in person, or if you miss the first-come distribution, don’t worry. The Sehwa artwork can also be downloaded as a digital image.

  • Download available on the Korea Heritage Agency Foundation website
  • Download also available via QR code at the event site

Setting it as your phone wallpaper is a fun way to keep a “New Year luck” vibe all season long.

5) Recommended Family Outing Routes (3 Practical Plans)

The Lunar New Year holiday can get crowded, so planning your route matters. If you follow one of these three plans, you’ll almost never fail.

Plan A) Gyeongbokgung + Sehwa + Gwanghwamun Walk

  • Arrive around 9:40–10:00 AM
  • Get Sehwa at 10:20 AM
  • Tour Gyeongbokgung → walk around Gwanghwamun / café in Seochon

Plan B) Jongmyo Shrine Free Entry + Insadong

  • Tour Jongmyo Shrine freely
  • Meal in Insadong / Ikseondong

Plan C) Healing Course at Royal Tombs (Perfect for Parents)

  • Choose a less crowded royal tomb site
  • Walk → photos → nearby restaurant

6) Safety Notice: National Heritage Disaster Alert Raised During the Holiday

One more important point: due to dry weather and wildfire risks, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced it has raised the National Heritage Disaster Crisis Alert from “Attention” to “Caution”, strengthening safety management during the holiday period.

For visitors, just remember these key rules:

  • No smoking near cultural heritage sites
  • Be careful with lighters or any flammable items
  • Follow restricted area controls strictly

Conclusion (3-Line Summary)

1) During the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday (2/14–2/18), 22 sites including the Four Grand Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Joseon Royal Tombs will be free.
2) At Gyeongbokgung Palace, “Byeongo Year Sehwa” will be distributed for free on a first-come, first-served basis from 2/16–2/18 (6,000 copies total).
3) All sites will be closed on 2/19 (Thu), so plan your trip no later than 2/18.

For official details, you can check the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Royal Palaces & Tombs Office and the Korea Heritage Agency Foundation channels. If you need on-site inquiries, contact the Royal Palaces & Tombs Promotion Team at the Korea Heritage Agency Foundation (02-3011-7753).

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