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Destinations by Region
Changgyeonggung Palace (창경궁)
- Address
- 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 185 (와룡동) - Type
- Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates
- Inquiries
-
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: +82-2-762-4868 - Homepage
- cgg.cha.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
-
Information
Introduction
Located in the heart of Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was originally built as Suganggung Palace by the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (r.1418-1450), for his retiring father, King Taejong. It often served as residential quarters for queens and concubines. During the reign of King Seongjong (r.1469-1494), the palace was renovated and renamed to Changgyeonggung Palace. It later became a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during Japanese colonial rule. The palace grounds remained this way until 1983 when restoration of its old grace was completed.
Past the main entrance of Changgyeonggung Palace, Honghwa Gate, you will find Okcheongyo Bridge. All palaces of the Joseon dynasty have ponds with an arch bridge over them, just like Okcheongyo Bridge. Cross Okcheongyo Bridge, pass the Myeongjeongmun Gate, and you will find Myeonjeongjeon. This is the office of the king, and Myeongjeongjeon is the oldest of the Joseon Dynasty palaces. The houses face southwards, but Myeongjeongjeon faces east. Because the ancestral shrine of the royal family is located to the south, the gate couldn't face the south, as is required by Confucian custom. There are stones with the status of the officials carved on the yard. Behind Myeongjeongjeon on the upper left side is Sungmundang. This building utilizes the slope of the mountain. If you look at Myeongjeongjeon and Munjeongjeon, the combination of the high and low roofs offers a beautiful view.
Tongmyeongjeon was built for the queen. It is the biggest building in Changgyeonggung Palace, and you can recognize the delicate details of its structure in various parts of the building. Walk up the stones past Tongmyeongjeon and there you will find Jagyeongjeon. On the southeast direction of the Jagyeongjeon is the Punggidae. This Punggidae is a measuring instrument. It is a long pole with a cloth hung at the end used to check the speed and direction of the wind. If you head north there is a large pond called Chundangji. Half of the pond was originally a rice field that the king took care of. But during the Japanese occupation, the rice field was changed to a pond with little ships floating on it. And the botanic garden built above the pond still remains today.
Current Status
Historic Site No.123 (Designated on January 18, 1963)
Closed
Mondays
Operating Hours
February-May, September-October 09:00-18:00
June-August 09:00-18:30
November-January 09:00-17:30
* Last admission 1 hour before closing.
Parking Facilities
Available (33 spaces)
Admission Fees
[Korean Citizens]
Adults (ages 25-64): Individual 1,000 won / Group (10+ people): 800 won
[International Visitors]
Adults (ages 19 and older): Individual 1,000 won / Group (10+ people): 800 won
Teenagers & Children (ages 18 and younger): 500 won
* Free admission: Preschoolers (ages 6 and younger), visitors wearing hanbok, all visitors on the last Wednesday of each month
* Integrated admission ticket is also available and can be purchased separately. Refer to the palace websites for details.
Restrooms
Available
Parking Fees
Standard fare: 2,000 won for 2 hr / 1,000 for every additional 30 min
Minibus and larger: 3,000 won for 2 hr / 1,000 for every additional 30 min
* Free parking when palace is closed
Interpretation Services Offered
English - 11:00, 16:00
Japanese - 10:00, 14:00
Chinese - 09:30, 15:00
* Departure: In front of Okcheongyo Bridge / Duration: Approx. 1 hour
* Groups of 30 people or more are required to make a reservation two days in advance via phone at +82-2-762-4868.
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- Traveler Reviews for Changgyeonggung