Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden in Seoul
Published on 09/08/2026 at 21:52 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Changdeokgung in Seoul is a Joseon dynasty royal palace where formal halls, intimate residences and a deep wooded garden share a single, carefully arranged valley. Built in the early fifteenth century as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung and later used as the main royal residence for centuries, it shows how Korean court architecture and landscape design were drawn into one continuous setting.
A palace shaped around a valley and a hill
Changdeokgung stands in Jongno-gu in northern Seoul, at the foot of the guardian mountain Baegaksan, using rising ground rather than a flat parade square as its backdrop.the Changdeokgung Palace Complex The palace belongs to the group of five royal palaces of the Joseon dynasty, a Confucian kingdom that ruled Korea from 1392 to 1910.five Royal Palaces of the Joseon dynasty
Construction of Changdeokgung began in 1405 during the reign of King Taejong, a son of the dynasty’s founder, and was completed in the early fifteenth century.built as a secondary palace in 1405 The plan does not follow a rigid grid; instead, its gates, courtyards and timber halls are aligned with the valley floor and slopes behind them, an approach described in Korean sources as preserving the surrounding terrain rather than imposing an artificial pattern.built in harmony with nature by preserving the surrounding terrain
Royal halls, residences and everyday court life
The front part of Changdeokgung contains the main throne hall complex where kings of Joseon held formal audiences and state ceremonies. Injeongjeon Hall stands here as the central audience hall, flanked by supporting buildings that formed the core of royal governance.Injeongjeon Hall and other named halls Behind the formal buildings, a series of inner courts contains Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall and Nakseonjae, which served as living quarters and more private spaces for the royal family.
Changdeokgung became the principal seat of government after the Japanese invasions of the 1590s left Gyeongbokgung in ruins. Rebuilt in 1610 under King Gwanghaegun, it served as the effective main palace of Joseon for about 270 years, hosting successive kings through the late dynasty.rebuilt in 1610 and served as de facto primary palace The complex continued in use into the Korean Empire and the twentieth century, with Emperor Sunjong living there until his death in 1926.used throughout the Joseon Dynasty, the Korean Empire, Japanese occupation, and the Republic of Korea
The Secret Garden: court retreat in the woods
Behind the inner halls, Changdeokgung opens into Huwon, the rear garden better known in English as the Secret Garden. This extensive garden, laid out from the time of King Taejong and expanded under King Sejo in the fifteenth century, occupies wooded slopes and terraces where pavilions, ponds and planted clearings are set among mature trees.Secret Garden formed to the north and expanded in 1463 It served as a retreat and leisure ground for the royal family and their guests, with spaces used for strolls, study, archery and seasonal gatherings.
Unlike heavily formalised palace gardens, Huwon follows the contours of the land, with pavilions placed beside water, above terraces or within groves so that built and natural elements read as a single composition.naturally-arranged spaces that make the most of the surrounding topographical features Among its scenes are small study halls overlooking ponds and platforms where scholars and royals met, giving a sense of everyday court culture that extends beyond the grand throne rooms.
Visiting Changdeokgung: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Changdeokgung stands in Jongno-gu in central Seoul, east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, and is reached by city public transport along Yulgok-ro and nearby stops.
- The palace grounds include broad stone-paved courtyards and sloping paths in the rear garden, so visiting the Secret Garden involves walking on gradients and steps through wooded terrain.
- The official language is Korean and the currency is the South Korean won.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Changdeokgung on social platforms
These links open searches for Changdeokgung on each platform.Frequently asked questions about Changdeokgung
Where is Changdeokgung and what kind of place is it?
Changdeokgung is a Joseon royal palace complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, combining formal halls, residences and the Secret Garden on a wooded site.
What can visitors expect during a visit to Changdeokgung?
Visitors encounter throne halls, timber residential buildings and extensive garden scenes, with stone courts at the front and sloping woodland paths in the rear garden.
What makes Changdeokgung distinctive among Seoul’s palaces?
Changdeokgung is distinctive for its integration with a valley and hills, its Secret Garden laid out along natural contours and its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
