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• Information
  Introduction
  Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.
  
  The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.
  
  Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the Secret Garden, was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.
  
  Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.
  
  Current Status
  [Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace] National Treasure (Designated on January 8, 1985)
  [Nakseonjae Complex of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on March 2, 2012)
  [Buyongjeong Pavilion of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on March 2, 2012)
  [Donhwamun Gate of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on January 21, 1963)
  [Injeongmun Gate of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on January 8, 1985)
  [Seonjeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on January 8, 1985)
  [Huijeongdang Hall of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on January 8, 1985)
  [Daejojeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on January 8, 1985)
  [Seonwonjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace] Treasure (Designated on January 8, 1985)
  [Chinese Juniper of Changdeokgung Palace] Natural Monument (Designated on March 9, 1968)
  
  Closed
  Mondays
  
  Age Limit for Activities
  Open to visitors of all ages
  
  Operating Hours
  [Palace]
  Feb-May, Sep-Oct 09:00-18:00
  Jun-Aug 09:00-18:30
  Nov-Jan 09:00-17:30
  * Last admission: 1 hour before closing
  
  [Secret Garden Tour (Guided tour only)]
  Mar-May, Sep-Oct 10:00-17:30
  Jun-Aug 10:00-18:00
  Feb, Nov 10:00-17:00
  Dec-Jan 10:00-16:30
  * Last tour: 1 hr 30 min before closing
  * Secret Garden Tour has limited space and must travel with a guide
  
  Parking Facilities
  Available
  
  Admission Fees
  [Changdeokgung Palace]
  Adults (ages 25-64) 3,000 won / Group (over 10 people) 2,400 won
  * Free admission to Changdeokgung Palace: Refer to the website for free admission information.
  
  [Special Ticket]
  - Long-term admission 30,000 won (General admission only)
  * Expires one month after date of purchase / One portrait photo must be submitted / Admission available only for purchased palace
  
  [Secret Garden Tour]
  Adults (ages 25-64) 8,000 won
  Young adults (ages 19-24) & Senior citizens (ages 65 & older) 5,000 won
  Children and Teenagers (ages 7-18) 2,500 won
  Groups of 10 people or more 7,400 won
  * Free admission: Children (ages 6 or under)
  
  Available Facilities
  PR Hall, ticket booth, restrooms, nursing room, etc.
  
  Interpretation Services Offered
  [Changdeokgung Palace Guided Tour]
  Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese
  * Refer to website for schedule
  Length of tour: Approx. 60 min
  Start point: Inside Donhwamun Gate, in front of information map
  * Schedule and route are subject to change due to weather conditions.
  
  
• Forecast
• Tourist Sites

  • 

    Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Amusement Parks/ Tourist Resorts
    Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone stretches from Seorin-dong to Changsin-dong between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jong-ro. It includes Youth Street, Gwangjang...

  • 

    Changdeokgung Injeongmun Gate (창덕궁 인정문)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates
    Serving as the main gate of Injeongjeon Hall, Injeongmun Gate was established in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon dynasty). Later on, the ...

  • 

    Insa Art Space (인사미술공간)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Art Museums/ Art Galleries
    Insa Art Space was established in 2000 to support artists who are experiencing financial difficulties. In 2005, Art Space started to develop artistic projects a...

  • 

    Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Palaces/ Fortresses/ Gates
    Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a...

  • 

    Hyangnamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 향나무)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Rare Animals/ Plants/Spectacular Cliffs & Rock Formations
    Hyangnamu or 'Aromatic Tree' in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be about 700 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. It ...

• Accommodation

  • 

    Dajayon hanok guest house [Korea Quality] / 다자연한옥스테이 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    Dajayon Guest House is very conveniently located at the center of downtown Seoul. It’s within 2 minutes away from Jongno 3-ga Station on Subway Lines 1, 3, and...

  • 

    The Place Seoul (traditional Korean-style guesthouse) [Korea Quality] / 멀티스페이스 곳 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    “The Place Seoul” is located in a small alley in Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul. It is a guesthouse made by remodeling an 80-year-old traditional Korean house. ...

  • 

    Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Hanok Hotel [Korea Qaulity] / 락고재 서울 북촌 한옥호텔 [한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    The main building in Seoul is a traditional Korean cultural space renovated by Jeong Yeong-jin, a human cultural asset, from a hanok with a history of 130 years...

  • 

    Cheong Yeon Jae [Korea Quality] / 청연재 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    Located around the tourist information center in Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu, which is famous as the noblemen”s residential area during the Joseon Dynast...

  • 

    Hanok Mon Oncle à Séoul [Korea Quality] / 게스트하우스 서울삼촌 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Hanok
    Guesthouse Mon Oncle a Seoul is a 'hanok' guesthouse located in Bukchon Hanok Village in Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, in the alley on the hill right across from...

• Restaurants

  • 

    The Hanok (더 한옥)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Bars/ Cafes/ Clubs
    You can enjoy coffee in a hanok (Korean house). This restaurant's signature menu is coffee. This cafe is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

  • 

    After Work 33 (에프터워크33)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Western Food
    Well-known for its charming garden and stylish interior design. The best menu at this restaurant is risotto. This is a Western cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul....

  • 

    Dolgorae Hoetjip (돌고래횟집)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Korean Food
    A great place for group dining and gatherings. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sliced raw fish.

  • 

    Salon Sulla (살롱순라)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Western Food
    It is a restaurant, decorated in a hanok style, that sells Western dishes. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu i...

  • 

    OH!WABA (오!바바)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Bars/ Cafes/ Clubs
    A waffle shop. The best menu at this restaurant is waffle. This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul.

• Shopping

  • 

    Jilsiru -Rice Cake Café (떡카페 질시루)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Jilsiru is a modern cafe serving a panoply of traditional snacks. Customers may enjoy the wide variety of tteok (rice cake), hangwa (Korean traditional sweets &...

  • 

    Gogungmasil (고궁마실)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Gogungmasil is a hanbok rental shop located near Changgyeonggung Palace. Visitors can rent hanbok from Gogungmasil before going on a palace tour to Changgyeongg...

  • 

    SAINT JAMES SAM CHEONG [Korea Quality] / 세인트제임스 삼청 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Located in Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Saint James Samcheong opened in July 2016. With its large, transparent glass façade, the store is very much a part of...

  • 

    Eunnamu (은나무)

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Craft Workshops
    Eunnamu specializes in accessories, focusing on the beauty of simple nature and natural lines. It applies traditional Korean patterns to its accessories. The ma...

  • 

    Jilkyungyee Uriot [Korea Quality] / 질경이 우리옷 [한국관광 품질인증]

    Region : Jongno-gu Seoul
    Type : Shops/Malls
    Located at the entrance of Samcheong-dong Street in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Jilkyungyee Uriot Samcheong Branch specializes in daily hanbok. Housed in a free-standing ...

• Transportation

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