This is one of the grandest and most famous palaces of the Joseon era, which ruled over Korea until the 16th century. The palace grounds are vast and you need to leave yourself at least three or four hours to spend wandering inside in between all the buildings and have time to see the National Folk Museum of Korea and Joseon Palace Museum. If you walk right through the palace grounds you will emerge from the northern gate which from where you will be able to view the Cheong Wa Dae (or the blue house named after its blue roof). The house is now the presidential palace and is heavily guarded by both uniform and plain clothes guards wandering about.