Look inside Joseon queen’s sleeping chamber

Gyotaejeon, the Joseon queen’s sleeping chamber, at Gyeongbokgung in Seoul (Korea Heritage Service)

Palace tours offering a rare glimpse inside the queen’s sleeping chamber, Gyotaejeon, at Gyeongbokgung, one of the five Joseon-era (1392-1910) palaces, will be available from May 8 to June 27.

On display at Gyotaejeon, restored in 1995, will be royal household items as well as replicas of two wall paintings installed last year. The original paintings are held at the National Museum of Korea.

The paintings of a monkey family and a pair of tropical birds symbolize a wish for a happy and fulfilling royal marriage. The Italian fashion house Gucci funded their recreation through a 270 million won ($190,000) project.

Wall painitings at Gyotaejeon, the Joseon queen’s sleeping chamber, at Gyeongbokgung in Seoul (Korea Heritage Service)

The Korea Heritage Service, the agency overseeing nationally significant historic sites and objects, said the tours will mark the 30th anniversary of the hall’s restoration.

A KHS official recommended taking a close look at “ondol,” the Korean underfloor heating system, and the small garden adjacent to the hall during the tour.

Online reservations will open at 2 p.m., April 30, at royal.khs.go.kr. The 20-minute tours will run ten times daily. Each tour is limited to 15 persons.