Changdeokgung Palace

The Secret Garden, also known as Huwon, is a large private garden behind Changdeokgung Palace featuring pavilions, lotus ponds, and centuries-old trees integrated with the natural landscape. It was used by the Joseon royal family for relaxation, scholarly pursuits, and royal banquets, and can only be visited by guided tour.

Changdeokgung Palace was originally constructed in 1405 during the early Joseon Dynasty under King Taejong. Like many of Seoul's royal palaces, it was destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to Japanese invasions and fires, with major reconstructions taking place in the 17th century.

Yes, Changdeokgung Palace was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The listing specifically recognizes the palace's harmonious integration with the natural topography, which distinguished it from other Korean palaces that followed more rigid geometric layouts.

Changdeokgung was actually the preferred residence of many Joseon kings for a longer continuous period than Gyeongbokgung, which served as the main royal palace but was often destroyed and left in ruins for extended periods. While Gyeongbokgung follows a more formal axial layout, Changdeokgung was deliberately designed to adapt to its hilly, natural surroundings.