Gyeonghoeru Pavilion

Picture a palace pavilion floating on a still pond, mountains in the background — that's Gyeonghoeru, and it's exactly as photogenic in person as it looks on the back of the 10,000-won note, where it's printed. Kings once used it to host lavish banquets and receive foreign envoys.

Forty-eight stone pillars hold it up, square on the outside and round on the inside — a nod to an old idea that heaven is round and earth is square.

Honest tip: the bridge to the pavilion stays roped off most of the year, so you'll view it from the pond's edge — which is honestly the better photo spot anyway. Sunset brings out the best reflection, though early morning before the crowds arrive works too. A handful of days each spring and autumn open the interior by advance reservation only (royal.khs.go.kr) if you want to go inside.