Along with Gyeongbokgung Palace, you will find Changdeokgung Palace, another of the most important royal palaces to visit in Seoul. Changdeokgung Palace is very popular for the beauty of its inner garden, secret garden, and beautiful Korean architecture. In this post I talk about what to see in the Changdeokgung Palace and in the secret garden.
VISIT CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE, SEOUL
Changdeokgung Palace is one of the 5 Grand Palaces built in Seoul under the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). The construction of the Palace dates from the year 1404, as an annex or secondary palace of Gyeongbokgung Palace. From the year 1600 to the year 1800 the palace was the private royal residence of the Korean monarchs and was also the residence until his death in 1926 of King Sunjong, the last Korean emperor. In 1997 Changdeokgung Palace was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
It is known as the Palace of Prosperous Virtue. The enclosure occupies an area of about 45 hectares, where you will find several buildings, halls and pavilions.
WHAT TO SEE IN CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE, SEOUL
Donwamun, the main gate of Changdeokgung Palace
Donwamun is the main gate that gives entrance to the Palace compound. Its construction dates from the year 1412. Due to its historical importance, the door has the rank of National Treasure.
Geumcheongyo
After crossing the access gate is the Geumcheongyo Bridge. Built in 1411, it is the oldest stone bridge in Seoul.
Injeongjeon, the most important building to see in Changdeokgung Palace
Considered the most important building in the entire Palace, the Injeongjeon was the Throne Room or Main Hall of the palace. Its construction dates from the year 1405. The hall was used as a place for important meetings and was the place where foreign delegations were received. It is the most impressive building on the premises.
Huijeongdang and Daejojeon
These are two of the most important halls to see in Changdeokgung Palace. Both halls were the private rooms of the king and queen where they spent their day in the company of their ladies/knights.
Nakseonjae
The Nakseonjae compound was used as the private residence of Kim Gyeongbin, Emperor Heonjong's concubine and mother of his children. Faced with the impossibility of having children with his different wives, Heonjong decided that Kim Gyeongbin was the mother of his children and built this small pavilion for her to live and have their meetings.
Among the pavilions and halls there are many buildings, which were used as rooms for the ladies-in-waiting, staff, the kitchen... It is beautiful to get lost among the paths, access through the doors to new patios... Appreciate the different Korean architectural styles, the combination between red and green roofs and stone roofs. Is beautiful.
The Secret Garden or Huwon
Considered one of the most important gardens to see in all of South Korea, the Huwon or Secret Garden were the private gardens and resting place for all the kings and queens who lived throughout history in the palace. It is around 30 hectares and is home to more than 25,000 trees (some of them over 300 years old), beautiful garden areas, pavilions and a small pond full of fish. Next to the pond is the Juhamnu Pavilion, which was used as a library for the Palace.
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