Changdeokgung Palace Complex

Founded in 1405 as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung, and then used in preference to it by one king after another until it became the working seat of government in all but name. After the invasions of 1592 burned all three palaces, this was the first rebuilt, in 1610, and it served as the principal palace for the next 270 years. It divides into the throne hall for ceremonies, the council hall for daily government, the residential quarters, and the rear garden. Jeongjo added to it considerably: the Gyujanggak library and the Juhamnu pavilion above it were his, and the people who carried out his reforms were trained there. The garden is the reason it is a World Heritage Site while Gyeongbokgung is not. Rather than impose an axis, the buildings are set where the valleys and ridges allow, and the woods, ponds and small pavilions behind them are laid out to the ground rather than against it.

Original Text

Visiting

Opening hours

February-May, September-October 09:00-18:00June-August 09:00-18:30November-January 09:00-17:30* Last admission 1 hr before closing

Closed

Mondays * If Monday falls on a public holiday, it will be closed on the following business day instead.

Parking

Not available

Information

+82-2-3668-2300

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Historic Site · 사적