▲ This Yonhap file photo shows visitors enjoying Gyeongbok Palace's "Gyeongbokgung Starlight Night" program. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE)(Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty will open their doors wide to visitors during the Chuseok holiday, a traditional Korean holiday.

 

The Korea Heritage Service said Friday that the four major palaces -- Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung and Changgyeonggung -- along with Jongmyo Shrine and the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty will be open free of charge from Sept. 24-27.

 

Jongmyo Shrine, which normally operates on a reservation-only basis, will be open for visitors to explore freely during the holiday.

 

Changdeokgung's Huwon Secret Garden, however, will continue to require paid admission as usual.

 

Traditional cultural events normally held at the palaces will also be available during the holiday.

 

The changing of the guard ceremony at Gyeongbokgung, which offers a glimpse into the royal guard culture of the Joseon Dynasty, will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., while guard patrol ceremonies will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

 

Those unable to visit the palaces in person can enjoy Joseon-era culture online.

 

By participating through the "Moduui Pungsokdo" website ([www.pungsokdo.com](http://www.pungsokdo.com)), users can create their own Joseon-era "secondary character" using a smartphone or computer.

 

Various performances and traditional game experiences will also be offered at venues across the country during the Chuseok holiday.

 

The National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, will hold a "Chuseok Folk Playground" event on Sept. 19, featuring traditional games such as yut-nori, rice-cake pounding and nongak, or farmers' music, experiences.

 

The National Folk Museum of Korea near Gyeongbokgung will hold its "Hangawi for All" event on Sept. 26-27.

 

At the outdoor Ochondak House, visitors can experience threshing rice and separating grains using traditional threshing machines and winnowing baskets. They can also make picture frames using actual rice stalks to wish for a bountiful harvest.

 

Other programs include a Chuseok ssireum experience class held with the Korea Ssireum Association, a performance of the Busan intangible heritage "Suyeong Nongcheong Nori" and the children's traditional Korean music musical "Bariya Bariya."

 

At the Paju branch, an open-storage facility, visitors will be able to fold and complete a traditional paper yut board as part of an exhibition titled "Secrets of Paper Yut Boards Revealed by Conservation Science."

 

National museums will also offer traditional performances and cultural programs.

 

At the outdoor plaza of the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, performances from "The ART SPOT Series" will be presented at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sept. 24, 26 and 27.

 

The performances will feature Gugak Orchestra Gyeol, Samul Gwangdae, Yeonhui Company Yuhui and traditional singer Kim Jun-su, presenting distinctive stages that combine traditional and contemporary elements.

 

National museums will be closed on Sept. 25, Chuseok Day.

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]