Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Visit Info

Today, I'd like to share my visit to Changdeokgung Palace and its beautiful gardens, which was the third destination on my Seoul palace tour, following visits to Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace. To enter Changdeokgung's gardens, I made an online reservation and purchased entrance tickets in advance, although on-site ticket purchases are also available. For those planning to visit, please take note of the following information.

The Changdeokgung parking lot isn't separate from Changdeokgung itself, so I used the nearby Wonseo Park parking lot, which seemed to offer more affordable parking than private lots in the area. Changdeokgung is closed on Mondays, so it's important to plan your visit accordingly.

To enter the palace, I visited the Changdeokgung ticket booth located near the Wonseo Park parking lot, even though I had made a prior reservation for the gardens. The entrance ticket for Changdeokgung Palace must be purchased separately. If you're taking the subway, you can get off at Jongno 3-ga Station and walk for about 10 minutes to reach Changdeokgung Palace.

As I passed through Donhwamun, the main gate of Changdeokgung, I was struck by the grandeur and spaciousness of Donhwamun Square. Beyond Donhwamun, you'll find Gyeonghoeru, a building I hadn't seen much before. This is where important state banquets and ceremonies were held.

Next, I passed through Jinseonmun. It's worth noting that Changdeokgung Palace is unique among Seoul's five palaces as it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It was built as an alternative to Gyeongbokgung Palace because King Taejong, the third king of the Joseon Dynasty, was reluctant to stay at Gyeongbokgung due to a history of power struggles.

I also visited Injeongmun, which is the gate to Changdeokgung. We initially skipped exploring the palace, planning to return later, but upon passing through the last gate, we found a separate ticket booth for the gardens. Even if you've reserved your visit to the gardens in advance, you'll still need to get your entrance ticket at this booth.

The Changdeokgung Palace garden entrance fees vary based on age and are as follows:
- Ages 7-18: 2,500 KRW (free entrance to Jeonggak building)
- Ages 19-24: 5,000 KRW (free entrance to Jeonggak building)
- Ages 25-64: 5,000 KRW (additional 3,000 KRW for Jeonggak building)
- Ages 65 and above: 5,000 KRW (free entrance to Jeonggak building)

Upon entering the gardens, visitors began to gather, eager to explore. The garden routes are adjusted seasonally and are guided by cultural interpreters. During my visit, we had the opportunity to listen to the guide's explanations as we began our garden tour. It was estimated that the full tour would take approximately 70 minutes.

Our first stop was Buyongji, the first destination within Changdeokgung's gardens. While I visited during a time when lotus flowers were not in bloom, it must be even more breathtaking during the lotus season.

Above Buyongji, you'll find Gyujanggak, which is like a royal library, and it overlooks the lotus pond below.

Near the lotus pond at Yeonghwadang, kings would take part in special exams and various events.

We then moved on to Aeryeonji and Uiduhap. Aeryeonji was a serene place surrounded by the deep forest, and it was followed by Uiduhap, which features a pond. The pond's name, "Aeryeonji," means "place of lotus blooms" because King Sukjong loved lotus flowers.

At Aeryeonji, you can take a moment to appreciate the peacefulness and the beautiful views of the Changdeokgung gardens. 

As we continued through the forested path, we reached the Changdeokgung garden's last destination. The buildings on the hillside, including Seonwonjeon and Jeukjodang, overlook the Changdeokgung Palace and offer a magnificent view.

Finally, I visited the magnificent Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, which is nestled in the center of a small pond. It was built to resemble a thatched house in the countryside.

Our tour concluded at Heejeongdang, the last residence of Changdeokgung, and with this visit, I wrapped up my day exploring the palace and its beautiful gardens. It took approximately two hours to walk through the palace and gardens.

Changdeokgung Palace and its gardens provide a unique and serene glimpse into the historical beauty of Korea's royal palaces. Exploring the lush gardens and architectural treasures was an enriching experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Seoul.

To visit Changdeokgung Palace and its gardens:
Changdeokgung Palace, 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea.

I hope this information helps you plan your visit to this remarkable historical site. Enjoy your time at Changdeokgung Palace!