The Cultural Treasure of the Joseon Dynasty - Jibokjae

During my visit to Seoul, South Korea, I had the privilege of exploring a historic and uniquely charming library: Jibokjae. Known as the 'King's Library,' Jibokjae officially opened to the public in April. I managed to catch the last opportunity to visit before its summer closure, eagerly heading there at the end of June. Ascending the stone steps leading to Jibokjae, I was greeted by the grand and majestic traditional Korean wooden architecture, with its elegant hipped-and-gabled roof design exuding a rich Korean ambiance. Being there felt like traveling back in time, witnessing the former glory of the Joseon Dynasty. Jibokjae's history dates back to 1881. It is located within the Gyeongbokgung Palace complex, west of Geoncheonggung, and served as the private study of Emperor Gojong of Joseon, as well as a place where he received foreign envoys. The name 'Jibok' means 'collecting treasures as precious as jade,' and the library houses over 40,000 volumes of rare ancient books and documents covering various fields such as history, politics, philosophy, religion, and medicine, making it a cultural treasure of the Joseon period. Among the most precious items is the 'Annals of the Joseon Dynasty,' which records 500 years of Joseon history and is an indispensable resource for studying Korean history. Today, Jibokjae has been transformed into a small library. Visitors can experience the profound cultural heritage of the Joseon Dynasty through the library's precious books, embarking on a historical journey through time! Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Open from April to June and September to October Closed in July and August due to high temperatures Closed on Tuesdays when Gyeongbokgung Palace is closed Location: West of Geoncheonggung, near Sinmumun Gate