Changdeokgung, Seoul

The Palace of Prospering Virtue in 2010

The main entrance of Chang·deok·gung named Donhwamun.

Chang·deok·gung [창덕궁/昌德宮] or the "Palace of Prospering Virtue" was a royal palace of the Korean kings during the Joseon dynasty and is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is my favorite palace of the three I've seen, although all of them have their own magical atmosphere. Changdeokgung is huge and massive. And there's not only the palace and other minor buildings, there is a secret garden with beautiful pavilions, forests, creeks and lakes. This is the most uniquely Korean palace in harmony with the landscape [source]. And it's the most expensive to visit, a ticket costs 15000Won (as for April 2010, which is around 10€). But only on Thursdays (from April to November) you're allowed to walk around alone. At other days, the ticket is only 3000Won (around 2€), but you need to join a guided tour (and there are only 3 of them a day in English). Lucky me, I just appeared there on a Thursday and could walk around alone. I don't like guided tours, because you have to stick to a program and you may not be able to make some good photos.

More info: People are not allowed to enter the interior parts of the palaces and pavilions. There are cameras everywhere, near every palace or pavilion there are men and women in black with walkie-talkies, they're security, who look after the people. The whole complex is surrounded by a stone wall, so you can only exit at the main entrance. If you decide to go to every spot inside the palaces, you can easily spend 2h in there. And you may walk 2km or more to finish the recommended tour. But since the price is so high, it's definitely worth to spend the time there.

I've made 122 photos of this palace, but I'm gonna share the best 20 ones with you. Take a walk around Changdeokgung with me...

Injeongjeon through the Injeongmun (gate).

Injeongjeon in full grace. It's the throne hall of Changdeokgung. Kings were crowned here, foreign envoys were received here, ceremonies were held in the courtyard in front. Amazing. I made a mistake and forgot to take the photos of the main throne inside.

The sun was becoming really hot that day. I captured it perfectly.

Typical motif of Korean palaces from the Joseon Dynasty (14th-19th century).

Daejojeon, the residence of the Korean queen.

Outside the palaces. Left: lovely sakura. Right: a Korean couple in traditional wear.

Secret Garden

Secret garden: On the left Buyongjeong, right Sajeonggibigak.

Same area as above: A gate named Eosomun. This was the retreat of the king.

Close-up of Buyongjeong.

Same area as above: This building is named Yeonhwadang and it's being restored.

New area called Aeryeonji: The beautiful pavilion by the pond is called Aeryeonjeong.

Another area called Jondeokjeong. It's the last part of the secret garden.

Pavilion named same as the area: Jondeokjeong. It has a two-story roof.

Another pavilion in the same area as above named Pyeomusa.

This area is called Ongnyucheon, it's inside a forest, with rocks and a stream. The king and his entourage sometimes held parties here, they composed poetry and drank wine.

Taegeukjeong, the main pavilion in the area. Korean kings relaxed here.

Beautiful blossoms nearby caught my attention.

More photos of the Secret Garden>>

Then I went uphill, before I went downhill again. I was heading back to the main entrance named Donhwamun. I was very tired from the extensive walking, but happy to see this place. After all, it's an UNESCO World Heritage Site and it surely deserves this title.

Protective spirits on the roof, seen on many palaces in Korea.

How do you like my photos?

[My Korea][All photos by MKL, 2010][Secret Garden][All info from a brochure]