{"id":16819,"date":"2014-08-05T06:48:37","date_gmt":"2014-08-05T06:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/?p=16819"},"modified":"2022-09-19T10:59:51","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T10:59:51","slug":"changdeokgung-palace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/destinations\/south-korea\/changdeokgung-palace\/","title":{"rendered":"Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\"Changdeokgung<\/a>

Exterior of the Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul<\/strong><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

A two-and-a-half-hour guided tour around the Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden<\/strong> is a beloved sightseeing attraction for every tourist visiting Seoul, South Korea. This over-600-year-old<\/strong> royal establishment has gone through tumultuous times, but has never lost its essence despite the restoration performed on a few of its parts. It is no wonder that UNESCO listed the Changdeokgung Palace Complex as a World Heritage Site in 1997 for its \u201carchitecture and design\u201d that merges \u201charmoniously\u201d with the natural surroundings.<\/p>\n

The tour of the Changdeokgung Palace begins with the grand Donhwamun entrance<\/strong>, and leads you through a stone bridge, Geumcheongyo, considered the oldest in the city, with carved mythical animals (haetae) on both sides towards the main palace \u2013 the Injeongjeon Hall<\/strong>. The building is made of incredibly ornate wood, and has an interesting interior that uniquely combines traditionally painted ceilings and throne with rather modern curtains and chandeliers lit by electricity. This variance may be attributed to the fact that the palace complex has been home to the royals till 1989, and a number of changes were made to keep the palace maintained and worth living. Next to the palace stand buildings \u2013 Seonjeongjeon (with government offices) and Nakseonjae (the royal residence). The entire Changdeokgung Palace tour can be seen in about an hour. The sightseeing does not end here; the best is, in fact, yet to come.<\/p>\n

Once you are done with the palace viewing, the tour guide will steer you through a dense forest patch and into what might look like heaven! The Biwon<\/strong> or Huwon<\/strong> or the Secret and Hidden Garden is a 72-acre landscaped plot with a huge, 300-year-old tree, lotus pool, fishing pond, fountains, water streams, and some pavilions. The Yeongyeongdang pavilion has a yangban house that was built as a study place for the prince. The Buyongjeong <\/strong>pavilion was used as a fishing spot, and the Juhapru pavilion housing a library was used extensively by the royalty and courtiers for administrative deliberations. The garden has a stream, Ongnyucheon<\/strong>, surrounding which are five comparatively small pavilions, including Chunguijeong, Soyojeong, and Taegeukjeong. An interesting characteristic of the stream is the Soyoam. It is a big rock, around which is a U-shaped water channel leading to a waterfall. There is an inscription of a Chinese poem on the rock. It is believed that the place was used as inspiration for poetry by the kings and his scholars. This incredible Changdeokgung Palace Garden tour will take about an hour and a half to complete.<\/p>\n

Explore<\/strong>: \u00a0Things to do in Seoul<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Changdeokgung Palace Map<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Location<\/a>

Location map of Changdeokgung Palace<\/p><\/div>\n

Changdeokgung Palace Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n