A palace loved by the kings of Joseon—today I wandered through Changdeokgung (Changdeokgung Palace), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built in 1405 as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung, it stands to the east of Gyeongbokgung and, together with Changgyeonggung, is known as the Eastern Palaces (Donggwol). Changdeokgung served as the secondary palace where successive kings lived the longest.
View detailed travel info for Changdeokgung Palace
The palace tour takes about two hours.
Route: Donhwamun Gate → Geumcheongyo Bridge → Gwollaegaksa (Government Offices Area) → Injeongjeon Hall → Seonjeongjeon Hall → Huijeongdang Hall → Daejojeon Hall → Seongjeonggak Hall → Nakseonjae Hall. (Official English names per Korea Heritage Service.)
Injeongjeon (Injeongjeon Hall)
This is the interior of Injeongjeon, where major state ceremonies took place. Injeongjeon hosted royal accession rites, New Year’s greetings from officials, and receptions for foreign envoys.
At the front stands the king’s throne, and behind it a wooden folding screen called the “Sun, Moon and Five Peaks” screen, symbolizing yin and yang—the sun and moon for the king and queen—and five mountain peaks for the territory of the nation. It conveys the idea that the king governs all directions in accordance with cosmic principles.
Seonjeongjeon (Seonjeongjeon Hall)
As the daily office (pyeonjeon), Seonjeongjeon was built east of Injeongjeon to fit the site’s topography. Each morning it hosted state councils, briefings, and scholarly policy sessions known as gyeongyeon.
Originally called Jogyecheong, it was renamed Seonjeongjeon in 1461 (King Sejo’s 7th year), meaning “to extend benevolent governance.” The hall’s roof is covered with blue-glazed tiles, the only surviving example of its kind among palace buildings.
Daejojeon (Daejojeon Hall)
Daejojeon served as the official residence of the queen. Many auxiliary buildings once surrounded it; among them, Heungbokheon was the venue of the final state council in 1910 that led to the national tragedy of annexation.
After a fire in 1917, Gyeotaejeon (the queen’s quarters at Gyeongbokgung) was relocated here in 1920 to create today’s Daejojeon. The interior was later refitted with Western furnishings, preserving a rare glimpse of the royal family’s final lifestyle.
Huijeongdang (Huijeongdang Hall)
Huijeongdang was the space where the king spent the most time in practice. Inside, wood floors, carpets, glass windows, and chandeliers were installed, giving the hall a Western touch. The square windows framing the outside view make it a popular photo spot.
Nakseonjae (Nakseonjae Hall)
Nakseonjae is the last stop on the route and reflects King Hyeonjong’s frugal taste. Although palace buildings typically bear dancheong (polychrome painting), Nakseonjae intentionally omits dancheong because it served as a residence for queens during periods of court mourning. Amid the splendor of the palace, it feels modest.
It later became the residence where Prince Yi Gang (Youngchinwang) died in 1963; Empress Sunjeonghyo lived here until 1966; and Princess Deokhye and Lady Yi Bangja lived here until 1989.
Because lines often stretch from the ticket office to the entry gates, I recommend arriving in the morning if you’re planning a visit.
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