The annual number of people visiting the country's four main royal palaces and Jongmyo Shrine is expected to surpass the 10-million mark for the first time later this week, the cultural authorities said Tuesday.
The four palaces are Gyeongbok, Changdeok, Changgyeong and Deoksu. The Jongmyo Shrine is a place where the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) conducted ancestral memorial ceremonies. They are all in Seoul.
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Hyangwonjeong pavilion in Gyeongbokgung palace. (Yonhap) |
"The number of visitors to the historic sites was calculated at 9,957,000 as of Sunday, and the 10-millionth visitor is expected Wednesday afternoon," a Cultural Heritage Administration official said.
The annual number of such visitors posted around 8 million in 2012 and 2013, 9.7 million in 2014 and 9 million last year.
"We expect the figure to reach 10.7 million this year," the official said.
"The record number this year has been largely helped by the increase of night openings from 48 days last year to 120 days this year and various festivals and exhibitions," the official said.
The administration plans to offer a present to the 10-millionth visitor at Gyeongbok Palace on Wednesday, the official added. (Yonhap)
