How To Go to Changgyeonggung Palace In Seoul
13 min read
Though Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung are the most well-known palaces in Seoul, Changgyeonggung Palace was the third palace compound to be developed during the Joseon Dynasty and it’s frequently missed. This elaborate was produced to serve as a royal residence relatively than a seat of govt, but it characteristics a stunning pond and an in depth backyard most readers don’t know about.
In this guideline, we’re likely to show you just what to see inside Changgyeonggung Palace together with how to just take a free guided tour.
Our Seoul Expertise
Mark posing for a picture within Changgyeonggung Palace with N Seoul Tower in the distance
We used 14 times checking out Seoul in March 2023. Through this journey, we individually visited Changgyeonggung Palace as perfectly as the 4 other royal palaces in Seoul. This is one particular of the far more perfectly recognized palaces in the city thanks to it’s place.
Changgyeonggung is straightforward to visit simply because it is positioned very near to Changdeokgung Palace and we observed both of those in the exact same working day. We started off the working day at Changdeokgung which includes a tour of the Huwon Magic formula Garden and then finished with Changgyeonggung. Go through more about us.
Changgyeonggung Palace Heritage
Big red pillars within Changgyeonggung generate pure top lines
Created during the reign of King Seongjong (1469-1494), Changgyeonggung Palace was the 3rd palace compound constructed just after the completion of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung. It’s often referred to as one particular of the jap palaces simply because it’s positioned on the east facet of the town.
Since the Korean royal family members put in most of their time at Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung was purposefully positioned ideal next doorway. It did not originally have a garden inside the grounds mainly because the loved ones could appreciate their privacy in Huwon Top secret Back garden close by.
The complicated principally served as a home for the queens or residing quarters for other users of the royal family. But this palace has a really colorful history. Unfortunately it was wrecked numerous instances by the Japanese, but it is also been household to a zoo and botanical garden.
The Grand Greenhouse was constructed in 1909 by Japan along with the assistance of a French developing firm. At the time of completion, it was the most important conservatory in Asia and Korea’s initial modern-day conservatory.
Customer Info
Our Royal Palace Pass for Seoul
As we described over, the Changgyeonggung Palace is situated right following to Changdeokgung. It is open up every single working day of the 7 days from 9:00 to 21:00, but closed on Monday with last admission at 20:00.
Tackle: 185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Spot: Google Maps
Greatest subway halt: Anguk Station (line 3, exit 3) or Hyehwa Station (line 4, exit 3/4)
Admission tickets for Changgyeonggung Palace value 1,000 KRW for older people (US$ .75) or 800 KRW (US$ .60) with groups of 10 or far more. Guests around the age of 65 and little ones under the age of 19 will receive cost-free entry into the palace. You can also visit for cost-free on Tradition Working day, which is the last Wednesday of just about every thirty day period.
We imagine the simplest way to purchase tickets is on web site, but if you prepare to take a look at all 5 of Seoul’s royal palaces, you should take into account the royal palace move. This is what we applied to stop by Changgyeonggung Palace.
The royal palace move costs 10,000 KRW (US $7.53) and it’s valid for 3 months from the day of invest in. This go can only be procured from the web-sites listed down below:
Gyeongbokgung
Changdeokgung
Changgyeonggung
Deoksugung
Jongmyo Shrine
It is a excellent prospect for people who want to check out a lot of palaces in the metropolis because it will help you save you a tiny little bit of funds. On top of that, it also saved us some time by not getting to wait in a lengthy ticket line.
Hanbok Rentals
A visitor waiting around to get a photo in a vivid pink hanbok at Changgyeonggung
Admission to Changgyeonggung Palace is free of charge for any person carrying a hanbok. This is traditional Korean clothing and it is quite popular for people today to have their hair accomplished for the occasion as effectively.
When you pay a visit to the palace, you can be expecting to see several travellers dressed in hanboks. If you want to rent your personal, this Hanbok rental is a incredibly well-known solution with Klook. Hanboks are usually rented by the hour or for each day.
Travel Suggestion: The pick up locale to the rental corporation we presented is sandwiched among both of those Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palace. So you could check out all 3 palaces in the very same working day if you prepared well.
Changgyeonggung Excursions
Kristen hiding driving a red pillar in Changgyeonggung
When we visited, we used the free informational brochure to wander about and learn about the many buildings. There are also several exhibits placed through the grounds or you can lease an audioguide at the major entrance for extra info.
But if you want to learn from a community manual, you can go to one particular of the free 60 minute guided tours made available in many languages. Here are the guided tour instances:
Korean: 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30
Chinese: 9:30, 15:00
English: 11:00, 16:00
Japanese: 10:00, 14:00
If you cannot check out all through the no cost guided tour hours, you can book a tour with a 3rd occasion enterprise. Lots of of these tours involve admission to the palace as very well as some of the best factors to do in Seoul.
Below are highly rated tour possibilities:
Changgyeonggung Night time Tour – Your prospect to investigate the grounds at night time and study about the dim background of the palace
Palace and Evening Industry Tour – A evening tour of Changgyeonggung Palace followed by a guided tour of a well known night market
Darkish Aspect of the Town – Check out Korea’s dim heritage as you hear ghost tales. This tour explores 3 of Seoul’s five palaces.
10 Very best Things To Do In Changgyeonggung Palace
There are many attractive sights to see when visiting like the expansive gardens. This intricate is smaller compered to the greater palaces, but if you want to examine the gardens, you are going to want to plan for excess time in your Seoul itinerary.
Most of the buildings are centralized in the center of the elaborate, even though the gardens grow out from the sides. So you can stop by most of this palace without having venturing into the gardens if you just want to see the most important highlights.
In this article is what you need to see at Changgyeonggung Palace:
1. Honghwamun Gate
Honghwamun Gate with Okcheongyo Bridge
The Honghwamun Gate is the most important gate of the Changgyeonggung Palace. The translation literally means advertising harmony. Similar to other palace structures, it was ruined by the Japanese invasion of 1592-1598, but the gate was rebuilt a few yrs afterwards in 1616.
This gate was vital in the course of Korean history because this is wherever the king traditionally met with the folks. In 1750, King Yeongjo spoke with the general public about the taxation process in advance of the enactment of the Equivalent Army Companies Act. And in 1795, King Jeongjo handed out rice to individuals fewer lucky.
Travel Idea: Most guests enter the palace through Honghwamun Gate so it’s usually a occupied location. If you want to get absent from the crowds, head farther into the sophisticated.
2. Okcheongyo Bridge
Each and every royal palace in Seoul consists of a organic steam with a bridge crafted above it. Right after going for walks by Honghwamun Gate, website visitors will make their way throughout Okcheongyo Bridge.
Designed in 1484, the water in the stream underneath Okcheongyo Bridge originates from close by Eungbongsan Mountain. The h2o follows a path south towards to the bridge passing both of those Jondeokjeong Pavilion of Changdeokgung Palace and Chundangji Pond of Changgyeonggung Palace.
It’s a person of the most very well-preserved bridges inside of the Seoul palaces so this is one particular sight you do not want to pass up. In March when we frequented, the cherry blossoms were being just starting off to bloom and lots of website visitors were being getting images of the trees and bridge collectively.
Journey Idea: Below the arch of Okcheongyo Bridge, there is a deal with of a goblin carved into the stone. This goblin allows to protect the palace versus evil spirits coming into the grounds as a result of the river.
3. Myeongjeongjeon Corridor
Exterior see of the main hall major from Honghwamun Gate
Myeongjeongjeon Corridor is the most important hall within Changgyeonggung Palace and it is the oldest throne corridor in Korea. This is in which royal rituals took position such as the king’s enthronement, point out examinations, royal receptions and congratulatory ceremonies.
Originally crafted in 1484, Myeongjeongjeon Corridor is more compact than the throne halls at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace mainly because it was at first made to be the queen’s residence. If you observe in our photograph earlier mentioned, the making is a single story instead than a big framework with higher ceilings.
Regrettably, this corridor was wrecked in the Japanese invasion of 1592. But it was rebuilt in 1616. A person of the most critical ceremonies from the Joseon period of time was the marriage ceremony ceremony concerning 66 year old King Yeongjo (1724-1776) and 15 yr outdated Queen Jeongsu’s (1745-1805) in 1759.
Within this stunning constructing, you will see the king’s throne as nicely as an important folding screen showcasing the sun, moon and 5 peaks. The solar and moon refer to the king and queen although the five peaks signify the 5 elements in addition to the whole country.
Vacation Suggestion: In the course of royal rituals, government officials would stand next to the corresponding stone marker on the floor that matched their rank. You are going to see these stones in all of Seoul’s royal palaces.
4. Sungmundang Corridor
Japsang on the roof at Changgyeonggung Palace close to Sungmundang Hall
This intricate hall was used as the king’s examine. Sungmundang translates to regard discovering and this is was a spot where by the king often worked or analyzed. It’s also documented that the 21st King Yeongjo taught learners from the Seonggyungwan Academy and gave lectures about Confucian classics.
Vacation Idea: You are going to find a signboard in Sungmundang Hall which is handwritten by King Yeongjo himself.
5. Binyangmun Gate
Kristen inside a doorway of Binyangmun Gate
One particular of the most popular destinations for photography inside of Changgyeonggung Palace, Binyangmun Gate linked the king’s official space to his personal quarters. This major gate was the entrance doorway to the king’s personal region so entry through this gate was strictly prohibited. The gate we see nowadays was rebuilt in 1986 just after the Japanese invasion.
6. Chundangji Pond
Site visitors strolling about Chundangji Pond on a neat spring day in Seoul
Right now, Chundangji Pond at Changgyeonggung Palace is divided into two primary sections. The lesser upper segment of the pond was the authentic locale while the reduced portion was employed for cultivating greens.
Having said that, the big pond we can see currently was created in 1909 by the Japanese, but it was renovated in 1986 to showcase the unique Korean design and style pond. Chundangji Pond in found the back of the intricate around the gardens of the palace.
This space was quite hectic when we frequented with folks making the most of the flowers in bloom and walking the perimeter of the pond. We think about this pond is extremely wonderful later on in year when the vegetation has finally developed lush and environmentally friendly.
Travel Tip: Chundangji Pond now serves as an critical avian refuge in Seoul, but these grounds have been at first rice paddies which the king plowed himself.
7. Octagonal Seven Story Stone Pagoda
The attractive seven story stone pagoda
Situated straight upcoming to Chundangji Pond, an octagonal stone pagoda with seven tales was at first crafted in 1470. It’s rumored to have been purchased from a merchant in the course of the Chinese Ming Dynasty.
Now categorised as an formal Korean treasure, the pagoda platform attributes a lotus pedestal and just about every aspect is embellished with bouquets. Each individual tier is also carved with different intricate types so we hugely advise you try out to locate this gorgeous pagoda within just Changgyeonggung Palace.
8. The Placenta Chamber
The placenta chamber inside Changgyeonggung Palace
A person of the most fascinating items to see at Changgyeonggung Palace is the placenta chamber and stele of King Seongjong. When a new infant was born into the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), his or her naval string was kept in a very exclusive jar and then buried in a placenta chamber.
This represented excellent prosperity for the nation and the baby’s wellbeing. But throughout the Japanese colonial interval, several of the placenta chambers ended up moved to the Seosamneung Royal Tombs.
So though the placenta chambers have since been eradicated, you can however see the stone structure for King Seongjong’s which was relocated to this place in 1928.
9. Grand Greenhouse
The stunning Grand Greenhouse inside of Changgyeonggung Palace
A further distinctive point to see inside Changgyeonggung Palace is the Grand Greenhouse. Originally developed in 1909, this lovely developing was Korea’s to start with western fashion greenhouse. It was developed together with a zoo by the Japanese colonial authorities under the rule of Emperor Sunjong who resided at Changdeokgung Palace throughout this turbulent period of time.
But nowadays, the Grand Greenhouse is crammed with indigenous and unusual tropical plants so we advocate you quit by when going to the palace. The plants inside the greenhouse have informational markers with both equally Korean and English translation.
Vacation Idea: The gardens in and all-around the Grand Greenhouse are a quite preferred location for pics so it can be very hectic in this standard area.
10. Changgyeonggung Palace Paths
A substantial strolling route inside of Changgyeonggung Palace
Although the paths are not an official vacationer desired destination, we think Changgyeonggung Palace is a person of the very best places to delight in a leisurely wander in Seoul. The palace itself is pretty small in contrast to the massive grounds, but there are comprehensive paths major into the gardens so you have a whole lot of possibilities if you want to stroll around.
Many of the paths within the complicated are paved so any people with strollers or wheelchairs will quickly get close to. We assumed this palace was a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of both of those Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung. So if you want to get away from the crowds, head to Changgyeonggung.
The Morgan Conclusion
As just one of the more effectively recognized palaces in Seoul, Changgyeonggung is special because it features an comprehensive back garden, a stunning pond and a western fashion greenhouse. Site visitors can also choose no cost 60 minute walking excursions if they want to understand additional about the complex.
So is Changgyeonggung Palace worth viewing?
Certainly, the Changgyeonggung Palace is truly worth visiting because the palace advanced features a wonderful massive backyard garden place. And since this palace is positioned immediately upcoming to Changdeokgung, you can easily pay a visit to each in one particular day. If you just can’t get tickets for the Huwon Key Back garden, this would be a terrific option.
We like Changgyeonggung for the reason that the structures of the palace are not spread out as much in comparison to the even bigger palaces so it is less difficult to pay a visit to. In overall, we spent about 2.5 several hours inside the complex, but if you want to go to the gardens, you could possibly require to program for a lot more time. We advocate you see Chundangji Pond, the Placenta Chamber and the Grand Greenhouse simply because they are extremely distinctive.
Several visitors also flock to Changgyeonggung Palace for the reason that this is wherever the Crown Prince Sado was murdered. There are various theories, but it was rumored the prince was mentally unwell and driven to madness by his father the king. This gruesome story is generally reviewed on the paid out guided tours we involved previously mentioned.
Our Changgyeonggung Palace Images
We savored our pay a visit to to the palace and took several shots. Right here are a handful of of our favorites so you know accurately what to anticipate:
Aspect profile of the Grand Greenhouse in Seoul
Kristen posing for a image with the blooming flowers in spring
A attractive white birch tree at the palace grounds
Colourful structures inside Changgyeonggung Palace
A cat hanging out by Chundangji Pond
Tongmyeongjeon Corridor inside Changgyeonggung Palace
Colourful bouquets blooming in the spring sunshine along the palace partitions
Stone markers in front of the key throne corridor
Kristen stopping for a picture at Chundangji Pond
A small bonsai tree inside of the Grand Greenhouse
Perspective picture of Kristen in the Grand Greenhouse
Near up check out of the foliage and the Grand Greenhouse
Kristen on the stairs of Seoul’s Grand Greenhouse
Site visitors exploring the grounds of a palace in Seoul, South Korea
Our Common Seoul Guides
More Seoul Palaces
Want much more Seoul content? Head more than to our South Korea Journey Guides to take a look at the pretty ideal of Seoul and further than.
We hope this guideline that includes greatest factors to do at Changgyeonggung Palace assists with arranging your visit to Seoul!
Please let us know if you have any concerns about viewing this palace or Seoul in the responses down below.
Satisfied Travels,
Mark and Kristen
Appreciate this Changgyeonggung Palace manual? Pin it for your visit!
Observe: This post incorporates affiliate inbound links. When you make a invest in applying a single of these affiliate links, we may well make a little commission at no excess cost to you.
All Legal rights Reserved © In which Are People Morgans, LLC. Republishing this report and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, and many others.) in entire or in element is strictly prohibited.
Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, climbing and photography experts. Above the very last 6 a long time traveling full time, they have explored far more than 40 international locations and 30 US states.
In which Are Those people Morgans has been highlighted in United states These days, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler alongside with various other publications. Read much more about us.
