[Korea Tour Guide] Seoul - Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (창덕궁과 후원) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbukgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Japanese invasion of Korea. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae.

Changdeokgung Palace’s rear garden was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a resting place for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bukwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon after King Kojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong, Buyongji, Juhabru, Eosumun, Yeonghwadang, Bullomun, Aeryeonjeong, and Yeongyeongdang are some of the many pavilions and fountains that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Changdeokgung Palace was one of the places visited by the first ladies of the Seoul G20 summit during the G20 conference in Seoul in November 2010. It is one of the most historically significant attractions that represent the beauty of Korea.

**Click here for more information on Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Postal Code: 03 072
Phone: + 82-2-3668-2300
Website: eng.cdg.go.kr
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Address: 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Directions: [Subway]
 Jongno 3 (sam) -ga Station (Subway Line 1, 3 or 5), Exit 6.
 Walk for about 10-min to arrive at the palace entrance.
 Or,
 Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 3.
 Walk straight from the exit (towards east) for about 5-min to arrive at the palace entrance.

 [Bus]
 Take Bus No. 7025, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272 or 601 and get off at Changdeokgung Palace Bus Stop.

World Heritage Sites
Contact and Information: • 1330 Travel Hotline: + 82-2-1330
 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• For more info: + 82-2-3668-2300
Day of rest: Mondays
Hours: Feb-May, Sep-Oct 09: 00-18: 00
Jun-Aug 09: 00-18: 30
Nov-Jan 09: 00-17: 30

 
* Last admission: 1 hour before closing.
* Huwon Course (Guided Tour only)
Parking: Available (26 mid-size spaces, 2 small car spaces, 2 spaces for people with disabilities, 2 business spaces, 2 bus spaces, 3 vans (max 25 people) spaces)

Admission Fees
[Korean Citizens]
* Changdeokgung Palace

Adults (ages 25-64): 3,000 won / Group (over 10): 2,400 won
Children and Teenagers (ages 24 and under): Free 
Long-term admission: 30,000 won (For regular tour only)
- Admission hours: 09:00 - 17:30 / Expires one month after date of purchase / Portrait photo must be submitted to receive pass 
Lunch hour admission: 5,000 won (For regular tour only)
- Admission hours: 12:00 - 13:00 / Limited to 10 times for use anytime during 3 months after date of purchase. (Applicants are limited to office workers near the palace or residents in the area.) 
* People in the following categories may enter free of charge:
- Children (age 6 & below) accompanying a guardian Seniors (ages 65 & over)
- Teachers and/or guides on an educational purpose for nursery, elementary, middle, or high school groups
- People wearing hanbok
- People with disabilities
- Children and Teenagers (ages 24 and under)
- Holders of important intangible cultural properties.

* Huwon Tour (Secret Garden)
Adults (ages 19 and over): 5,000 won
Children and Teenagers (ages 7-18): 2,500 won
* To participate in the Huwon tour, both regular admission (3,000 won) and admission to Huwon (5,000 won) must be purchased.
* Seniors are required to purchase tickets to enter Huwon. 
* The following people may enter free of charge: Children (age 6 & below), people with disabilities. 

[International Visitors]
Adults (ages 19-64): Regular 3,000 won / Huwon 5,000 won
Children and Teenagers (ages 18 and under): Regular 1,500 won / Huwon 2,500 won
Group (over 10): 20% discount offered for regular tickets only.

[Integrated Admission]
- Admission to the Four Palaces (Changdeokgung Palaces (including Huwon, Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace) and Jongmyo Shrine.
- Ticket price: 10,000 won per person (Valid for 1 month after date of purchase)
- Refunds are not available after the ticket has been used at the first site.
- Visitors may go on a combined tour of Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces. (Separate tickets must be purchased at Hamyangmun Gate.)
- The Jongmyo Shrine tour will be offered only at specific times of the day, except on Saturdays, when visitors may tour at their leisure. During this time, the passage connecting Jongmyo Shrine and Changgyeonggung Palace will be closed to the public.
- Closed on Mondays: Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung Palaces
- Closed on Tuesdays: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine.

Available Facilities
Benches, water fountain, shaded rest areas, snack bar

Interpretation Services Offered
Palace General Tour (Duration: 60 min)
English: 10:30, 14:30
Japanese: 12:30
Chinese: 10:00

Changdeokgung Palace (Duration: 60 min)
Korean: 09:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 16:30 / Route: Donhwamun Gate - Injeongjeon Hall - Seonjeongjeon Hall - Huijeongdang House - Daejojeon Hall - Nakseonjae
(* The tour time and route are subject to change due to weather conditions.)

English: 10:30, 14:30
Japanese: 12:30
Chinese: 10:00

Huwon (Duration: 90 min)
Korean: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 16:00, 16:30 / Route: Hamnyangmun Gate - Buyongji Pond - Bullomun, Aeryeonji Pond - Gwanramji Pond - Ongnyucheon - Yeongyeongdang House - Bingcheon-gil - Donhwamun Gate
(* The tour time and route are subject to change due to weather conditions.)

English: 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30  (Feb-Oct)
Japanese: 10:30
Chinese: 12:30

 * Admission to Huwon is limited to 100 people per session. (On-line reservations of 50 people, on-site purchases of 50 people on a first-come, first served basis). Therefore, integrated ticket holders are also required to exchange tickets for separate admission either on-line or in person.

Reservation Info. for Foreigners
Online or on-site reservations (on a first-come, first served basis) are required for the Huwon Tour (Secret Garden area).

* There are only 100 tickets available for each tour. 50 for internet booking in advance and
  the remaining 50 are sold at a ticket office on the day.
* Please make an online reservation (max. 50 people). (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese)
* On-site reservations start at 09:00.