"Changdeokgung Palace" a Seoul Travel Page by MEdelmann

Changdeokgung was built in 1405 (Taejong, 5th year) as the detached palace of Gyeongbokgung which was the main palace of Joseon Dynasty.
In 1412, the palace was completed with the construction of the main gate Donhwamun. King Sejo expanded the palace grounds about 500.000 square meters (110 acres).
In 1592 during Japanese invasion, most of the palace buildings were destroyed by fire. The reconstruction of the palace was started by King Seonjo and completed by King Gwanghaegun in 1610.
Changdeokgung was burnt down several times because of Japanese invasion in 1592 and the Injo Political Revolt against Gwanghaegun in 1623. As recently as in 1917 the living quarters, Daejojeon and Huijeongdang were comsumed and restored with the timber of Gyotaejon and Gangnyeongjeon from Gyeongbokgung in 1920.
After the king´s period by the Sunjeong´s, 13 rulers reigned here for 270 years, therefore Changdeokgung is the place where the kings stayed longer than the main palace Gyeongbokgung. Changdeokgung Palace now has 13 buildings in the palace grounds and 28 pavilions in the garden occupying 110 acres at all.

Donhwamun, the main gate of Changdeokgung, was built in 1412 (Taejong 12th year). In the following year a copper bell weighing 9 tons carved with the achivements of King Taejong was installed here.
Donhwamun, rebuilt in 1607 (Seonjo 40th year) is the oldest two story wooden gate in Seoul.

It is surrounded by corridors leading to the queen´s living quarters in the back and to the entrance of the building in the front.

The building was constructed in 1405 as the king´s private residence and was used later as a conference hall.

This dwelling was built in 1847 as a residence of Lady Kim, King Heonjong´s concubine. The last Crown Princess Yi Bang-ja and Princess Deokhye lived there until their death in 1989.

inside of Nakseomjae

The arragement of the rear garden has three pavillions along the slope, with which fences and steps accent the natural landscape.

Look into the rooms where the crown princess Yi Bang-ja and princess Deokhye lived.

Injeongjeon is the main hall of Changdeokgung. Rebuilt in 1804, the present structure shows the architectural beauty of the end of Joseon Dynasty.

In where, king sat on the throne who was honored by civil and military officials and recieved foreign envoys.

This picture shows the yard around Injeongjeon Hall.

These living quarters contain the king and queen´s bed chambers.
The building does not have the traditional roof ridge ("dragon ridge") because this was the residence for the king who was likened to a dragon.
They built the building according to the principle of modesty and humbleness.

Biwon, originally named as "Huwon" meaning rear garden, represents the typcial backyard of Korean palaces.

Among the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, it is very famous for its natural aesthetic beauty.

In addition, it has been preserved with great care as an important national cultural treasure.

It was registered as one of the World Heritage in December 1997 and authorized as one of the World Remains.

When you join to the tour, you will make a break here. So it is enough time to take a lot pictures here ....

Used by the king to conduct everyday state business, Seonjeongjeon Hall was an auxilary office to the main hall.
In the centre of this building, the king sat on his throne backed by a screen decorated with images of the sun, the moon and five mountains. The subjects were permitted to take their seats on both sites.

Here ends our tour through Changdeokgung Palace. I hope you enjoyed it ...

Changdeokgung Palace can be visited only with guided tours. Tours in English are available in English: 11.30, 13.30 and 15.30 hours. This picture shows our guide explaining the area of Changdeokgung Palace.