How will the reservation for Korean citizens for the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour in the second half of 2026 be conducted, and what are the application and winner announcement schedules?

This Moonlight Tour will be conducted via a lottery system through Ticketlink. Applications can be submitted on Ticketlink from 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 20th, to 11:59 PM on Wednesday, August 26th. Winners will be announced at 5:00 PM on Friday, August 28th, via the Korea Heritage Promotion Agency website.

When will the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour for the second half of 2026 be operated, and how are the viewing times divided?

The event will run from September 10th to October 17th, 2026, every Thursday to Sunday. Viewing times are divided into Part 1 (7:10 PM, 7:15 PM, 7:20 PM) and Part 2 (8:00 PM, 8:05 PM, 8:10 PM).

When and where can international visitors make reservations for the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour in the second half of 2026, and how many days will the foreign-exclusive sessions be operated?

International visitors can make reservations on a first-come, first-served basis through Creatrip starting at 9:00 AM on Friday, August 28th. The foreign-exclusive sessions will be operated for a total of 4 days: September 20th, September 27th, October 4th, and October 11th.

Approximately how long does the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour course take in the second half of 2026, and what should I prepare for the tour?

The Moonlight Tour course takes approximately 100 minutes. Since there are uphill and downhill sections, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. It's also a good idea to bring water and use the restroom before starting the tour.

Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour 2026: Booking Guide & Dates

Seoul Travel

2026 Second Half Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour

Hello, this is Durimap! ☀️

If I had to pick just one must-visit spot in Seoul during autumn, I'd definitely recommend the Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour.

I actually managed to snag a ticket for it myself once, after a fierce ticketing battle! And honestly, it was such an amazing experience that I wished I could go every year.

Finally, the reservation schedule for the 2026 Second Half Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour has been announced!

This isn't a first-come, first-served ticketing event; it's a lottery system this time. So, if you've been dreaming of going, make sure to mark your calendars for the application period starting tomorrow!

📍 Changdeokgung Palace
99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

2026 Second Half Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour

📍 Event Period: 2026.9.10~10.17

📍 Operating Days: Every Thursday~Sunday

📍 Part 1: 19:10 / 19:15 / 19:20

📍 Part 2: 20:00 / 20:05 / 20:10

📍 Price: ~$21 per person

📍 28 participants per session, total 3,864 participants

Ticketing

Now for the most important part: ticketing!

This Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour will be held via a Ticketlink Lottery System.

You can apply on Ticketlink from August 20th (Thursday) 2 PM to August 26th (Wednesday) 11:59 PM. Winners will be announced on August 28th (Friday) at 5 PM via the National Heritage Administration website and will also be notified individually.

Winners can reserve up to 2 tickets from August 29th (Saturday) 2 PM to September 2nd (Wednesday), and it's ~$21 per person!

[Reservation Ticket Lottery] 2026 Changdeokgung Moonlight Tour (Second Half) | Ticketlinkwww.ticketlink.co.kr

✔️ Application: 8/20 (Thu) 14:00~8/26 (Wed) 23:59

✔️ One application per account (ID)

✔️ Winner Announcement: 8/28 (Fri) 17:00, National Heritage Administration (www.kh.or.kr) website, individual notification

✔️ Winner Reservation: 8/29 (Sat) 14:00~9/2 (Wed)

✔️ Maximum 2 tickets per person

✔️ Remaining Tickets Reservation: 9/3 (Thu) 14:00 onwards, first-come, first-served

I remember when ticketing used to be incredibly fierce, almost as competitive as signing up for popular university courses!

But now, since it's a lottery system, you don't need to 'power-click' right at opening time when applying during the lottery period, haha.

By the way, international visitors can participate in dedicated sessions (English, Chinese, Japanese).

These will run for a total of 4 days (September 20th, September 27th, October 4th, October 11th), and reservations can be made on Creatrip on a first-come, first-served basis starting August 28th (Friday) at 9 AM.

📍Reservation Site for International Visitors📍

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Creatrip: Explore Your Koreawww.creatrip.com

Main Viewing Course

What makes the Moonlight Tour different from a regular Changdeokgung visit is that you get to carry a 'cheongsachorong' (traditional Korean lantern) and walk through the palace and its Secret Garden (Hu won) at night with a knowledgeable guide.

When I went, the tour started by entering through Donhwamun Gate, passing Geumcheongyo Bridge, and then continuing through Injeongjeon Hall, Nakseonjae, the Secret Garden, and Yeongyeongdang.

However, I've heard that Donhwamun Gate is currently under renovation, so entry is now through Geumhomun Gate.

The first highlight is the night view of Injeongjeon Hall.

As you pass through the Injeongmun Gate on a dark night, the illuminated Injeongjeon Hall appears,

On the day I visited, there was even a light night fog, making it truly mystical.

Against the dark sky, the illuminated Injeongjeon Hall was truly impressive.

Nakseonjae and Sangnyangjeong

Next, the place that truly stood out to me was Nakseonjae.

As a building without vibrant 'dancheong' (traditional Korean decorative coloring), its atmosphere is completely different from Injeongjeon. Instead, each window and door frame has a unique design, making it fascinating to examine up close.

출처 : 국가유산포털 — Source: National Heritage Portal

What's especially charming about the Moonlight Tour is that you can explore areas that are usually difficult to access during regular daytime visits.

At Sangnyangjeong Pavilion, a daegeum (traditional Korean flute) performance continues. The sound of the daegeum heard in the night palace perfectly complemented the ambiance.

출처 : 국가유산청 — Source: Korea National Heritage Administration

Changdeokgung Palace's Huwon (Secret Garden) and Buyongji Pond

The place I was most looking forward to was, of course, the Huwon (Secret Garden).

Even after seeing Changdeokgung Palace's Huwon during the day and thinking how beautiful it was, at night, it had a completely different feel.

Walking while listening to the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind, the moment when the illuminated Buyongji Pond and Juhamnu Pavilion area started to appear through the tree branches is especially memorable.

This year, at Buyongji Pond, you can take commemorative photos with the cast of 'A Royal Walk', and finally, at Yeon-gyeongdang Hall, there will be a time to enjoy traditional refreshments with a Korean traditional music ensemble.

Preparation Tips

When I went personally, it was a walking course of about 100 minutes, and there were more uphill and downhill sections than I expected.

So, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes rather than pretty ones, and bringing some water.

It's also a good idea to use the restroom before you start.

Also, because there isn't a lot of lighting, portraits don't turn out very well. Make sure to take plenty of portrait photos when you pass in front of a slightly brighter spot.

Final Thoughts

I visited on a day that was humid all day, but precisely because of that humidity and the night fog, the palace felt even more atmospheric and charming.

Even if you live in Seoul, the chance to walk through Changdeokgung Palace's Huwon at night isn't common, is it?

If I get another chance, it's definitely a program I'd love to experience again.

If you've been waiting for this year's Autumn Moonlight Tour, make sure to mark your calendars for the lottery application starting at 2 PM on Thursday, August 20th. 🌙

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