A Royal Retreat: The Joseon royal family needed rest after a tiring day and the Huwon Secret Garden was the place where they did. With several beautiful fountains, a large pond, a serenely flowing stream, and a gigantic 300-year old tree, this garden is the perfect getaway from the present back to the Joseon days, even if for an hour. The palace itself has an architecture that blends in effortlessly with its natural surroundings. Burnt down by angry citizens when their Joseon kings fled from their Japanese invaders in 1592, the palace was gracefully restored and is now a Unesco World Heritage Site that is loved and revered by the Koreans as one of their country's treasures; certainly, worth a guided tour.
hangdeokgung is one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty's kings. The Changdeokgung means Prospering Virtue Palace. Local people also call it “East Palace” because of its location. It was built in 1412 by Taejong, the third emperor of the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was burned by angry people after the Royal family fled during Japan attack. Japanese during their occupation of Korea in the early 20th century vastly destroyed most of the building in Gyujanggak. All collection was shifted to the library of today’s Seoul National University. After destroying the building the road network in the area, in 2005 the restoration process of Gwolnaegaksa Complex began. The rebuilt complex has some semblance of its original design.
By Subway: Just take the Anguk Subway and take the 3rd exit. Walk straight for a couple of blocks. You can also take the Jongno 3-ga Station in line 1, 3, 5 and take the 6th exit. It's 5 minutes walk to the palace By Anguk Subway and 10 minutes by Jongno 3-ga Station. The fare is 1,350 KRW for 10 Km of travel.
By Bus: Apart from the subway you can also take a bus but is slower than the subway. Bus number 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272 blue buses or the number 7025 green bus can get to the palace. A single ride in both the green and blue buses costs 1,300 KRW.
By Taxi: If you want to travel by taxi, take it from 99 Yulgok-ro, Waryongdong, Jongnogu.
Operating Hours - Palace Tour (February to May & September to October):
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
June to August
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
November to January
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Last Admission: 1 hour before closing
Huwon Tour (Guided Tour only)
March to May & September to October:
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
June to August
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
February and November
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
December to January
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Last tour: 1hour 30 minutes before closing
Waiting Time
On weekends and holidays you might have to wait an hour at the ticket counter.
Entrance Fee
Admission Fees
Changdeokgung Palace
Adults (ages 25 to 64): 3,000 KRW / Group (over 10 people): 2,400 KRW
Combination Ticket / Integrated Pass of Palaces
Admission to the Four Palaces (Changdeokgung Palace (including Huwon, Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace) and Jongmyo Shrine.
Ticket Price: 10,000 KRW per person (Valid for 3 months after the date of purchase)
Ticketing is available at the ticketing booth of the four palaces and Jongmyo Shrine.
To visit Huwon (special tour) of Changceokgung Palace, visitors must make an online reservation or get the on-site ticket on a first-come, first-served basis as admission is limited.
Time you can spend
4 hours to 5 hours
Weather
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