Among the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty that can be found in the center of Seoul, there are “Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Gyeonghuigung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace.”
Out of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, only Changdeokgung Palace has been designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. It received this designation in 1997, with the registration number 816.
“The representative palace of Joseon is not Gyeongbokgung, but. Changdeokgung?”
Changdeokgung Palace is the palace among the five palaces in Seoul that best preserves its original form. While Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace, some argue that Changdeokgung Palace, not Gyeongbokgung, should be considered the representative palace of Joseon for the reasons mentioned above.
Most of the main buildings in Gyeongbokgung Palace were reconstructed in the 19th century, whereas in Changdeokgung Palace, including Injeongjeon Hall, most of the structures retain their original form, allowing the entire palace to be included as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
In particular, many buildings like Donhwamun Gate, Injeongjeon Hall, and Seonjeongjeon Hall remain in their original state, giving Changdeokgung Palace a higher historical value compared to other palaces of the Joseon Dynasty.
“A palace with even greater authenticity than Gyeongbokgung”
Compared to Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung Palace maintains an even greater status as the “main palace.” After Gyeongbokgung was lost during the Japanese invasions of Korea, it remained neglected for about 275 years until the reign of King Heungseon Daewongun. In contrast, Changdeokgung Palace, as the only palace that continuously preserved its original form from the early days of Joseon to its downfall, maintained the status of the main palace even during the period when Gyeongbokgung was lost.
“Unique architectural layout in an Eastern palace”
Changdeokgung Palace features a unique layout compared to other typical palaces. While Gyeongbokgung Palace strictly adheres to a layout centered around the central axis, Changdeokgung Palace’s buildings are scattered more freely along the natural terrain.
This layout was designed to harmonize with the surrounding hills, and to avoid disrupting the energy flow connected to Jongmyo, located south of Changdeokgung Palace. This distinctive arrangement is rare in other Eastern palaces, showcasing a unique architectural style specific to Korea.
“Preserving the beauty of Changdeokgung’s rear garden”
One of the most beautiful spots in Changdeokgung is the rear garden located north of the palace. At one time, it was referred to as “Secret Garden” or “Biwon,” which means a garden with hidden beauty.
The Changdeokgung rear garden gained global popularity as it appeared as a filming location in the popular South Korean drama “Kingdom.” This was the setting for the final battle between the monsters that invaded the palace in the series.
“How to visit the Changdeokgung rear garden?”
To visit the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace, it is not enough to simply visit the palace. Generally, you need to make a “special reservation for rear garden viewing” on the Changdeokgung Palace website.
Reservations are available on the website from 10:00 AM six days before the viewing date, with 50 slots available per hour. There is a total capacity of 100 visitors per hour, with the remaining 50 tickets sold on-site.
Particularly in November, which is the peak season for rear garden viewing due to the autumn foliage, online reservations are highly competitive.
If you successfully reserve a spot or purchase a ticket on-site, you can enter the rear garden with a guide at designated times. The viewing takes about two hours. Guided tours are available in Korean, English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian. It’s worth noting that Koreans can only participate in the Korean language tour, and if accompanying foreigners, up to two Koreans can enter, while foreigners can join the Korean language tour.
- Changdeokgung Palace Rear Garden Reservation Page: https://ticket.uforus.co.kr/web/main?shopEncode=
“A different atmosphere from Gyeongbokgung at Changdeokgung”
Changdeokgung Palace exudes a different atmosphere compared to Gyeongbokgung. Perhaps due to the many well-preserved historic buildings, it carries a solemn and serene ambiance.
The number of visitors is also relatively fewer compared to Gyeongbokgung, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The layout of the buildings is more in harmony with the natural terrain, allowing visitors to experience the unique charm of Changdeokgung Palace.
If you wear traditional Korean clothing, known as “Hanbok,” you can enter for free. You’ll encounter many people wearing hanbok inside the palace. While autumn is the optimal time to visit the palace, it’s a place where you can feel its charm even outside of the fall season.
“Seoul, the palace loved by the king, Changdeokgung”
- Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
- Phone number: 02-762-8261
- Operating hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM-6:30 PM (Closing time varies by season, with the last admission one hour before closing)