ChangDeokGung — The secret garden palace
Personally, my most favourite palace.
Well, we all know Gyeongbokgung — The main palace located in the center of Seoul behind the famous Gwanghwamun gate. Usually crowded with tourists in their hanboks (Korean traditional dress) enjoying their royal experience.
But, have you been to this secret beauty? Changdeokgung Palace was built as a secondary palace to the main palace in 1405 (5th year of King Taejong) source: https://royal.cha.go.kr/ENG/contents/E102010000.do
If you go to Changdeokgung, you can experience the same history and culture of Korea, with lesser crowd, much beautiful buildings and better pictures 😜.
It has several beautiful gardens were the Kings and Queens spent their leisurely hours, filled with romance and beauty, they are now known as “Secret Garden”. You must wonder whether the drama “Secret Garden” is based on this? But unfortunately, no. This is the real secret garden and that’s on reel. There are speculations that it’s called a secret garden because it’s located far from the palaces and are meant only for the royals and so the name.
ok, now, let’s get started. I will take you guys throught the palace grounds one by one. In present day seoul, inorder to visit Changdeokgung you have to buy tickets and reserve tickets for special shows.
📍서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99 (와룡동) | 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
💵 Generally the palace visit is free for:
- Children and Youth ( age 18 and under)
- Seniors (over 65)
- Those wearing hanbok (same as Gyeongbokgung)
- Culture day ( the last wednesday of every month)
For secret garden you need to have additional tickets
You can find all the admission information and reserve your guided tour here https://royal.cha.go.kr/ENG/contents/E700000000.do?schGroupCode=cdg&schGroupCodeNm=Changdeokgung%20Palace
Korea Culture Heritage Foundation organises MOONLIGHT TOUR at changdeokgung palace
You can apply for the tour here: https://www.chf.or.kr/brd/board/1049/L/menu/885?brdType=R&bbIdx=115344.
In this program you will have a change to experinece the royal life in changdeokgung at night.
What all you can expect in the night tour
check out my video on YouTube which covers all the cheongdeokgung night tour
Secret garden night tour part-1
Secret garden night tour part-2
coming soon …
