Palaces, Seoul    

Facebook Twitter
 

Seoul is the ancient seat of Korean’s Royalty and, as such, there are a number of palaces (some renovated and others rebuilt) that offer a glimpe into the country’s past. Many are well worth a visit. The palaces (gung) date from various periods of the Joseon (aka Chosun) Dynasty (about 5-600 years until the early 20th century)

Changdeok-gung was first built in 1405 and was the seat of power between 1618 and 1896. The buildings have all been recently restored and freshly repainted. Buildings of particular note include the blue-roofed Seonjeongjeon, which was the king's office, and the Daejojeon ("Great Making Hall"), his bedchamber, but most famous of all is the Biwon ("Secret Garden") in the back. This area was once refered to simply as Huwon, meaning Rear Garden. Access to the complex (Changdeok and Biwon) is by guided tour only. Website has some English, Chinese and Japanese.
Admission: W3,000 
Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM November through February and 9 AM to 6 PM May through October. Closed Mondays
Tours: English tours are offered 3 times a day at  11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM, but Korean-language ones are available every half hour.( Suggest you check with the 1330 help line to confirm those times in case they may have changed.
Directions:  Located near Anguk Subway Station Line 3 (stop 328). .

Gyeongbok-gung is Seoul's grandest palace and the seat of power for centuries before it was razed in 1592 and again in 1910 by the Japanese. Large parts have now been restored and the vast grounds also house the Joseon Palace Museum and the Korean Folk Museum.
Admission:  W3000 Adults, W1,200 Children.
Hours:9 AM to 5 PM November through February and 9 AM to 6 PM May through October. Closed Tuesdays. Some information on the website is in English.
Directions: Located behind the Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Station Line 3 (stop 327) or Gwangwhamun Station, Arop 533, Exit 2. 

Deoksu-gung is a vivd contrast other nearby palaces. Built during the mid-fifteenth century, the architecture is a fusion of both Korean (outside) and Western (inside) architecture.
Admission: Adults (19 to 64 years old): 1,000 won (groups: 800 won) Children (7 to 18 years old) and soldiers: 500 won (groups: 400 won). Free for children 6 and under as well as seniors 65 and over.
Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM November through February and 9 AM to 6 PM May through October.  Closed on Mondays. Website has some information in English.
Located across from City Hall. Take Subway lines 1 or 2 to the City Hall Stop (stop 203 or 133). 

ChangGyeong-gung was built in 1104 as a summer palace for the kings of the Koryo Dynasty.. It later became one of the main palaces during the Joseon Dynasty and was used as a temporary home for the king while Gyeongbuk Palace was being built. Unlike other palaces that have a North-South orientation, ChangGyeong Palace faces East-West. It also connects to Jongmyo Shrine, a holy place for the Joseon Dynasty, where ancestral rites were practiced for previous kings and queens.
Admission: Adults (19 to 64 years old): 1,000 won (groups: 800) Children (7 to 18 years old): 500 won (groups: 400). Free for children 6 and under, as well as for seniors 65 and over.
Hours 9 AM to 5:30 PM November through February and 9 AM to 6 PM may through October. Closed on Tuesdays. Website has some information in English.
Directions: Located on Subway Line 4 Hyehwa Station (stop 420) or Jongno-3-ga or Jongno-5-ga Stations (stop 131 or 130).  

Unhyeon-gung  hosts the re-enactment of the wedding ceremony of King Gojong and Queen Min. It is a former royal residence. At one time, it was known as the Palace of the Queen since it was used for royal wedding preparation. This was where the Queen prepared for her wedding and where she was instructed in her duties. King Kojong lived at Unhyeon until he was 12 years old.
Admission:There is a small admission fee to enter (about W700).
Hours: Unhyeongung is open from 9:00 to 18:00 from November to February, from 9:00 to 19:00 from March to May and September to October. Hours in July and August are 9:00 to 20:00. The palace is closed on Mondays. 
Directions: Go out Exit 4 of Anguk Subway Station, line 3, stop 328). The palace is about 40 meters up the street.

K4E Editor: Korea4Expats wants to provide the most accurate and complete information possible, so if you noticed an error or omission in the contents above, please contact us at info@korea4expats.com