Chuseok is the traditional Korean autumn harvest celebration, similar to Thanksgiving in the United States, and many Koreans visit their hometowns for ancestral rituals and to spend time with their families during the holiday.
But if you are planning to spend the Chuseok holiday in Seoul, visiting royal palaces and tombs, and national museums and parks in the city could be a good option.
Four palaces in Seoul, including Deoksu at the heart of the capital, will keep their doors open throughout the four-day holiday to admit visitors for free.
Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Deoksu and Changgyeong palaces ― which, along with Gyeonghui ― represent the five major Joseon-era royal residences, will temporarily do away with admission fees during the traditional holiday from Sept. 12-15. Admission to Gyeonghui Palace is always free.
The UNESCO-recognized Royal Tombs of the Joseon Kingdom in the capital and surrounding areas, and major heritage sites will also remain open without charge, according to the local government.
The decision is part of efforts to promote domestic tourism during the long holiday when many Koreans often opt for overseas tours.
As part of the policy, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will also open up its outlets in central Seoul, Gwacheon and Deoksu Palace for free from Sept. 12 to 14, while the National Science Museum will give a 50 percent discount on ticket purchases.
Two national parks ― Mount Bukhan and Mount Jiri ― will be part of the campaign, providing a 30 percent admission discount.
During the holiday, tours featuring 20 heritage villages will also be available. They include Bongpyeong in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, the setting for the famous novel "When Buckwheat Flowers Bloom" by prominent novelist Lee Hyo-seok; Icheon, which is famous for ceramics; and Jeju Island's Hwabuk, the site of the Jeju Uprising that took place from April 1948 to May 1949. (Yonhap)
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