Changdeokgung Palace
UNESCO palace with the famous Secret Garden.
Why go
Changdeokgung is the best-preserved of Seoul’s Joseon-era royal palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage site, laid out to follow the natural hillside rather than impose on it.
Its Huwon ‘Secret Garden’, seen on a timed guided walk, is the highlight — especially in autumn.
Built in 1405 as a secondary palace, Changdeokgung became the Joseon kings' favoured residence for much of the dynasty. Its Injeongjeon throne hall and the naturalistic Huwon garden — with lotus ponds and centuries-old trees — earned it the UNESCO World Heritage listing in 1997.
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Good to know
- The Secret Garden (Huwon) uses a separate timed ticket — book or arrive early.
- Like other palaces it closes one day a week; check hours on the official site.
- It pairs naturally with Bukchon and Gyeongbokgung in one morning.
- The Secret Garden is entered only on a scheduled guided walk (about 90 minutes) with limited daily places, and the palace closes on Mondays — plan around both.
Nearby
Official info
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