Injeongjeon throne hall of Changdeokgung with its two-tier roof and stone terrace under a deep blue sky

Heritage · Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon

UNESCO-listed Joseon palace laid out to follow the hills, with the wooded Secret Garden behind

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Discover Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon

Where Gyeongbokgung is formal and symmetrical, Changdeokgung follows the lie of the land. Its halls and courtyards step gently around the foot of the hills, so that walking through the palace feels more like moving through a series of quiet enclosures. The throne hall, Injeongjeon, rises above a stone courtyard, while lesser halls with unpainted or softly coloured timber hint at the more private life of the court.

Behind the palace lies Huwon, the rear garden often called the Secret Garden. Paths climb through old trees to Buyongji, a square lotus pond overlooked by the two-storey Juhamnu, and on to streams and pavilions tucked into the woods. In autumn the maples turn the garden red and gold, and it becomes one of the most sought-after walks in Seoul.

Don’t miss

01Injeongjeon, the throne hall where enthronements and major state ceremonies were held
02Donhwamun, the main gate, first completed in 1412 and rebuilt in the early 1600s
03Buyongji pond in Huwon, dug in 1707, with the Buyongjeong pavilion and Juhamnu above it
04Ongnyucheon, a stream area in the north of the garden with small pavilions and carved rock
05Nakseonjae, a deliberately plain residential hall built in 1847

History & culture

The story of Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon

Changdeokgung was built in 1405 under King Taejong as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung. During the Imjin War of 1592 both palaces were burned; Changdeokgung was rebuilt first, restored in 1611 under Gwanghaegun, and went on to serve as the main seat of Joseon kings for around 250 years. Its main gate, Donhwamun, is the oldest surviving palace gate in Seoul.

UNESCO inscribed the palace complex as a World Heritage Site in December 1997, recognising how its layout adapts to the terrain in line with pungsu principles and Confucian ideals, and its influence on Korean architecture and garden design. The rear garden covers terraces, a lotus pool and pavilions set against wooded slopes, and UNESCO notes it holds over 56,000 trees and plants. Alterations made during the Japanese occupation are being gradually reversed using traditional methods.

Local life & traditions

Seoul residents treat Huwon as a seasonal ritual: spring for fresh green and blossom, and late October to November for the autumn leaves, when tickets can be hard to get. The palace is popular with photographers and with visitors in hanbok, while the surrounding streets towards Bukchon keep a lived-in, neighbourhood feel with small galleries, cafes and restaurants.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Start at Donhwamun and explore the palace halls at your own pace, from Injeongjeon to the more intimate living quarters to the east. Then enter Huwon, which needs a separate ticket; parts of the garden can only be visited on guided tours, so check the current arrangements and book ahead, particularly in autumn.

The palace's seasonal Moonlight Tour, when visitors walk the grounds by lantern light, is a memorable evening experience when it runs. Changdeokgung connects naturally with Bukchon Hanok Village to the west and Changgyeonggung Palace to the east.

When to go

Autumn, from late October to mid-November, is the classic season for Huwon's maples, and spring (April to May) is also lovely with new leaves and blossom. Summer is lush but humid, and winter quiet and cold, sometimes with snow on the pavilions. Note that the palace closes on Mondays and that garden slots fill quickly at weekends and in leaf season.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Opening hours: February to May and September to October 09:00-18:00; June to August 09:00-18:30; November to January 09:00-17:30; last admission one hour before closing Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗
Closing day: Closed on Mondays; if a Monday is a public holiday, the palace closes on the next business day instead Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗
Admission (as published, Oct 2026): Palace 3,000 won; Secret Garden (Huwon) adults 5,000 won, children 2,500 won Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗
UNESCO World Heritage: Changdeokgung Palace Complex was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in December 1997; the property covers about 58 hectares Source: whc.unesco.org ↗
Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul; phone +82-2-3668-2300; no visitor parking Source: english.visitkorea.or.kr ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Book Huwon garden entry early in autumn, as time slots and tour places sell out.
Remember the Monday closure, which differs from Gyeongbokgung's Tuesday closure.
The garden paths include slopes and steps; wear good walking shoes.
Allow at least two to three hours for the palace and garden together.
Keep to marked paths in Huwon and do not touch the timber buildings.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Changdeokgung Palace & Huwon: food, markets & places to stay

Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 is the closest station, with Exit 3 signposted for Changdeokgung. Bukchon Hanok Village lies uphill to the west, Insa-dong's craft shops and tea houses to the south-west, and Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine to the east and south. The area has many small Korean restaurants and cafes; vegetarian temple-style dishes are easier to find than certified halal food here.