- Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seou
- Phone: +82 2-762-8261
- Website: cdg.go.kr
- Visit time: daily, except Monday, from 9:00 to 17:00
Changdeokgung - this is the only palace of all preserved in South Korea , which has completely preserved its appearance since the first construction in 1412. Now it is listed as a World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular attractions of Seoul .
History of Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul
The beginning of the construction of the palace is attributed to 1405 year. It was completely finished in 7 years. By that time, the main residence of the Korean rulers was the Gyeongbokgung Palace , and Changdeokgung was being built as a summer residence for recreation . In its original form, both palaces lived until the end of the 16th century, until Seoul was captured by the Japanese. In the process of military operations, only ruins remained from Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung.
Returning to his domain, King Sonjo had to live in Toksugun , which was not surprisingly damaged during the Japanese invasion. Unfortunately, for the royal court this beautiful palace turned out to be too small, and it was decided to revive Changdeokgung. The main residence for all representatives of the Korean royal dynasty palace complex was from the middle of the XVII century and until 1926, when the last King of Korea died Sunjon.
Park of Changdeokgung Palace
The most popular place for tourists is not the palace itself with its beautiful halls, but the secret park that starts behind the palace. Most often it is called - "back" park, or Pivon.
Once the garden was the starting point for the construction of the palace complex in this place. His shady alleys and gazebos became a favorite place for solitary royal walks. In this garden the courtiers were not admitted, therefore monarchs here could be alone with themselves or with their guests.
The uniqueness of the secret park is that it does not break the surrounding mountainous terrain. Here no one tried to level the territory and plant it with trees and shrubs in a certain style. Creating a garden, Korean architects tried to preserve and maintain the special beauty of this place, with its groves and rivers, shrouded in fog and overgrown with hills.
Treasure Cheonme
The Chonme temple was laid in the 15th century, at the same time as the construction of the palace. Since then, it contains the treasures of the Joseon Dynasty, which are carefully guarded. Perhaps it was the treasury that caused the transfer of the main residence to Changdeokgung. There are tablets with the names of kings, queens, princes and other representatives of the royal dynasty, and in the next room - tablets with the names of 82 companions who helped the Korean monarchs during their reign.
Hotels close to Changdeokgung Palace
For accommodation in Seoul, you can choose the area of the royal palace. In this case, you will live next to a beautiful park in which you can walk every day, and not far from all other sights of the capital. For a comfortable stay:
- MayPlace Hotel 3 *;
- Ibis 3 *;
- Orakai Insadong Suites 4 *;
- Center Mark Hotel 4 *;
- Aventree Hotel 4 *.
How to get to Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul?
The park and the palace are in the center of the capital, and the easiest way to reach them is by public transport . You can take the metro , lines Nos. 1,3 or 5, after reaching the station Changdeokgung Palace. Also here you can come by bus number 162, which will bring you directly to the entrance to the park.
By car or taxi, the journey from the river to Changdeokgun takes no more than half an hour.