Seoul Searching | Changdeokgung Palace.

Holidays in South Korea are usually very festive, as most tourist attractions come up with fun and interesting events to celebrate the occasion, or offer special discounts for both tourists and locals alike, If you're lucky, you might come across 'Free Admission' promos, such as the one that the four traditional palaces offered during the long weekend (May 5-8).

I wouldn't pass up on this great opportunity, so Yue and I trooped to Changdeokgung Palace last Saturday - along with about a thousand or more eager beavers (ergo, tourists).

If you see this sign, then you have walked to the right place.

One of the most well-preserved traditional palaces in the country, Changdeokgung Palace was built in 1405 by King Taejong, the third ruler of Joseon. (He's also known as Yi Bang Won, the character portrayed by Yoo Ah In in the sageuk 'Six Flying Dragons'.)

Changdeokgung Palace: an introduction.

Like the other palaces in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace was also burnt down during the Japanese invasion in 1592. It was rebuilt about 18 years later, and since then, it has become the primary palace until the late 1800s. In 1997, it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Korea, together with the Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon.

Free Admission Day!
Secret Garden not included, though.

Behold the beauty of Changdeokgung Palace! More photos after the jump!
The entire Changdeokgung compound covers about 110 acres of land, with 13 buildings on the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the garden. The rear garden, also known as Huwon, occupies 78 acres, or at least two-thirds of the entire palace grounds.

Map of Changdeokgung Palace.
Click to enlarge

Ready for another round of walking! :)

Its main gate, the Donhwamun Gate, is a two-story pavilion-type wooden structure and the largest among all the palace gates. At present, it is heralded as one of Korea's national treasures.

Donhwamun Gate.

Inside the palace are key governmental areas, the center of which is Injeongjeon or the throne hall.

Injeongjeon.

Major state affairs, such as the coronation of a new king and reception of foreign envoys, were held here.

Architecture at its finest.

From the outside, the throne hall looks like a two-story building. But take a closer look inside and you will see that it is just a single space, with a high, beautifully-adorned ceiling.

The throne, and the intricate design of the ceiling.

To the east of the throne hall stands Seonjeongjeon Hall, which serves as the king's office. Here, official assemblies such as meetings with the ministers, state seminars, and reports on state affairs are held.

Seonjeongjeon Hall.

Located nearby is the Huijeongdang Hall, which serves as the king's bedchamber. This building, however, is a reconstruction that looks totally different from the original. The Huijeongdang Hall that was destroyed by fire in 1917 was a more elegant structure with a raised floor set on stone columns, and had a pond in the courtyard. The hall that we see today is outfitted with western features such as wooden floorboards and carpets, glass windows, and chandeliers.

Huijeongdang Hall.

Also a reconstruction of the original is the Daejojeon Hall, the Queen's residence. 

Daejojeon Hall.

With the exclusion of the Secret Garden, one of the more interesting structures in Changdeokgung Palace is the Nakseonjae Complex. 

Nakseonjae Complex.

This area was constructed upon the order of King Heonjong for his concubine Gyeong, whom he took in because the Queen could not bear a child.

One of the rooms at Nakseonjae Complex.

The main building at Nakseonjae.

The walls surrounding the complex.

The crown prince also has his own residence, known as the Junghuidang. This building used to be part of Seongjonggak Hall, but was eventually removed in 1891. The only original buildings that remain today are Samsamwa - the hexagonal pavilion, Chilbunseo, and Seunghwaru.

Seongjonggak Hall.

These structures were once connected by corridors, and served as the crown prince's study. This hall later became the royal hospital during the Japanese occupation.

Samsamwa.

During our visit, an event called Naeuiwon Royal Pharmacy Experience was being held at Seongjonggak Hall. Visitors were given the chance to experience medical services of the Royal Joseon Court.

Naeuiwon Royal Pharmacy Experience.

Medical practitioners were even dressed in traditional physician costumes, which made the event even more interesting.I would have gladly joined the throng of 'patients', but my Hangul skills may not be enough for medical terms, haha.

Medical check-ups, the Joseon way.

I joined this group instead. They were lining up to get a taste of apricot tea, which they say is good for indigestion, constipation, fever, and anemia. I had none of the ailments mentioned above, but I was curious as to how apricot tastes like so I lined up anyway.

Lining up for medicinal tea.

Yue, on the other hand, was drawn to the scent of herbs emanating from the table nearby. Medicinal herbs have long been part of Korean culture, and a variety of them were on display for visitors to smell, touch, and feel during the event.

Medicinal herbs on display.

The pharmacist was so enamored by my friendly little boy (he can speak/understand simple Korean greetings like 'annyeonghaseyo', 'jaljinaeseyo', and such) that he gave him a pouch filled with herbal medicines as souvenir.

Yue made new friends! :)

Finally, the Secret Garden - the secluded rear garden of the palace which served as a resting place for the members of the Royal Family. 

Unraveling the secrets of The Secret Garden.

The highlight of Changdeokgung Palace, the Secret Garden is a sight to behold with its lotus pond, lovely pavilions, and landscaped lawns.

Buyongjeong Pavilion.

The garden is home to probably a hundred different species of trees, some of which are over 300 years old.

Juhamnu Pavilion.

I certainly do not regret paying extra (5000 won for me, and 2500 won for Yue) for this Secret Garden Tour! Definitely one of the most beautiful scenery that I have laid my eyes on. Even my son, who had been very impatient during our tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace last winter, enjoyed the long walk around the garden.

Gwallamjong Pavilion.

To get to Changdeokgung Palace, take the subway to Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) Exit 3. From the exit, walk straight towards the east for about 5 minutes until you get to the palace entrance.

We love Changdeokgung! :)

Changdeokgung Palace
99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3668-2300