Attraction
Gyeongbokgung Palace
The first and largest royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, founded in 1395 and home to the throne hall Geunjeongjeon and the Gyeonghoeru banquet pavilion.
Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon
A UNESCO-listed Joseon palace built in 1405, admired for buildings that follow the hillside and for Huwon, its wooded rear garden of ponds and pavilions.
At a glance
- Type
- Royal palace and garden, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Area
- Jongno, Seoul, South Korea
- Official site
- royal.khs.go.kr
Good to know
- Closed Mondays
- Secret Garden by reservation
- Wheelchair rental
- Pushchair rental
Why we recommend it
Changdeokgung was built in 1405 as a secondary palace, but after Gyeongbokgung was destroyed in 1592 it became the main residence of the Joseon kings for around 270 years. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, largely because its halls were laid out to follow the ridges of Bugaksan rather than a rigid grid, so the architecture and the landscape feel like one design.
Donhwamun, the main gate, was first completed in 1412 and is the oldest surviving palace gate in Seoul. Beyond it, Injeongjeon, the throne hall, is a National Treasure rebuilt in 1804, and the general route continues through official halls to Nakseonjae, a group of unpainted residential buildings used by the royal family into the 20th century.
The real reason many people come is Huwon, the rear garden, sometimes called the Secret Garden. It covers a large part of the palace grounds and was reserved for the royal family, who used it for study, banquets, archery and examinations. More than 160 species of tree grow here, many of them centuries old. The centrepiece is Buyongji, a square pond with the Buyongjeong pavilion at its edge and the two-storey Juhamnu above, and the walk continues through the woods to Ongnyucheon, a stream where kings composed poetry. Huwon can only be visited on a timed tour, booked through the palace's online reservation service, and places go quickly in spring and autumn.
The palace is closed on Mondays. Hours vary by season, from 09:00 to 17:30 in winter to 09:00 to 18:30 in summer, with last entry an hour before closing. Allow about an hour for the main palace and another 90 minutes for the garden tour. Autumn leaves in late October and November and spring blossom make the garden at its most photogenic, but it is pleasant in any season. Paths in Huwon include slopes and steps, so wear comfortable shoes.
Anguk Station on Line 3 is a few minutes' walk from Donhwamun. Changgyeonggung Palace adjoins the grounds to the east, Jongmyo Shrine is a short walk south, and the hanok lanes of Bukchon and the restaurants of Ikseon-dong are close by.
Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon FAQs
Do you need to book the Secret Garden?
Yes. Huwon can only be visited on a timed tour that you reserve through the palace's online reservation service, and it often sells out at weekends and in autumn.
Which day is Changdeokgung closed?
The palace is closed on Mondays.
What are the opening hours?
They vary by season, from 09:00 to 17:30 in winter to 09:00 to 18:30 from June to August, with last entry one hour before closing.
How long should you allow?
Allow about an hour for the palace buildings and roughly 90 minutes more for the Huwon tour.
Why is it a UNESCO site?
It was listed in 1997 for the way its buildings were arranged to fit the natural landscape of the hillside.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring blossom and the autumn foliage of late October and November are the most popular times for the garden.
How do you get there?
Take Line 3 to Anguk Station, Exit 3, which is a few minutes' walk from Donhwamun gate.
What is nearby?
Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village and Ikseon-dong are all within walking distance.