Changdeokgung Palace Audio Guide & Tour — Things to Do in Seoul, Korea

About

The palace most loved by the kings of Joseon, Changdeokgung Palace Complex is a place that stands out for its architectural beauty built by preserving the natural topography. Located to the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, it was called the 'East Palace', and it served as the primary palace of Joseon for a long time after the Imjin War. In particular, the 'Secret Garden (Huwon)', which was the king's resting place, is a beautiful secret garden showing the essence of traditional Korean landscaping, and is considered the highlight of a visit to Changdeokgung Palace Complex.

Feel the tranquil beauty of the palace in harmony with nature at this place registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stories you can hear here

19 stories · about 32 min

IntroThe Palace Guarded by Scholar Trees (Pagoda Trees)28 sec
SpotDonhwamun GateThe Magnificent Sound of the Bell That Opened the Night and Morningabout 1 min
SpotScholar Trees (Pagoda Trees)The Scholar Trees That Guarded the Seats of the Three State Councillorsabout 2 min
SpotGyujanggak Royal Library80,000 Volumes of Wisdom Beyond Eosumun Gateabout 1 min
SpotGeomseocheong OfficeThe Elevated Pavilion for Inspecting Five Carts of Booksabout 2 min

Show 14 more

SpotJuniper TreeThe Dragon-Shaped Juniper Tree That Survived 750 Yearsabout 1 min
SpotFormer Seonwonjeon ShrineThe Building That Holds Memories of Royal Portraits and the Genealogy of the Royal Familyabout 2 min
SpotYemungwan OfficeThe Gable Roof Where the King's Brush Tips Restedabout 2 min
SpotHongmungwan OfficeThe Jade-Colored Office Where Yulgok Yi I Workedabout 2 min
SpotInjeongjeonThe Yellow Curtains of Injeongjeon, a National Treasureabout 1 min
SpotNakseonjae ComplexThe Moon-Shaped Manwolmun Door in the Unpainted Woodabout 2 min
SpotJinseonmun GateJinseonmun Gate and the Petition Drum of 1405about 2 min
SpotSeonjeongjeon HallGovernance Under the Blue Roof Tilesabout 1 min
SpotHuijeongdang HallThe Traditional Hall Where Sunjong's Royal Car Pulled Inabout 3 min
SpotDaejojeon Hall AreaThe Last Royal Seal Hidden Inside a Skirtabout 1 min
SpotSecret Garden (Huwon)Exiled to the Island in the Square Pondabout 2 min
StoryThe Palace Built with a Turn in 1405about 2 min
StoryThe Unpainted Nakseonjae Complex of 1847about 2 min
StoryThe Injeongjeon Hall That Survived the Torches of 1623about 2 min

Preview

Which palace did the kings of Joseon love, spending far more time there than at Gyeongbokgung Palace? First built during the reign of King Taejong, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex was designed to embrace the natural mountain terrain rather than impose artificial symmetry. Step into the tranquil scenery that captivated these kings, extending all the way to the Secret Garden (Huwon), where the forest and gardens blend together.

Keep listening in the app — stories play automatically by GPS as you get close.Keep listening in the app

Visitor info

Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: March-May, September-October 09:00-18:00 / June-August 09:00-18:30 / November-February 09:00-17:30
Closed: Every Monday
Admission: Adults 3,000 KRW (ages 25-64), Youth free (ages 24 and under)