Changdeokgung

The Huwon (Secret Garden) at Changdeokgung requires a separate guided tour ticket from general palace admission, and tickets can be purchased through the official Korea Heritage Service reservation website. Tours fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during cherry blossom season in April, so booking a week or more in advance is strongly recommended.

While Gyeongbokgung was built on a grand, symmetrical axis, Changdeokgung was deliberately designed to harmonize with the natural topography of its site in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This integration with nature is precisely why Changdeokgung was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997, while Gyeongbokgung was not.

Yes, Changdeokgung Palace is closed every Monday, as are the other major Joseon Dynasty palaces in Seoul including Gyeongbokgung and Changgyeonggung. Plan your visit for Tuesday through Sunday, and note that last admission is typically one hour before closing.

Changdeokgung was originally constructed in 1405 during the Joseon Dynasty under King Taejong as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung. It was largely destroyed during the Japanese invasions of the late 16th century and rebuilt in the early 1600s, after which it served as the primary royal residence for about 270 years.