Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Insa-dong, Bukchon & Samcheong-dong
CHANGDEOKGUNG
PALACE
BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
NEIGHBOURHOOD
JONGMYO
SHRINE
JOGYE-SA
TEMPLE
CHANGGYEONGGUNG
PALACE
OFFLINE MAP
(
http://jikimi.cha.go.kr
;
adult/child ₩1000/500; Tue-Sun 9am-6.30pm Apr-Oct, 9am-5.30pm Nov-Mar, 9am-5pm
Dec-Feb; Line 4 to Hyehwa, Exit 4)
The Palace of Flourishing Gladness was originally built in
the early 15th century by revered King Sejong for his parents. Like the other palaces, it
was destroyed twice by the Japanese - first in the 1590s and then again during the coloni-
al period from 1910 until 1945, when the palace suffered the indignity of being turned into
a zoo. Only a fifth of the palace buildings survived or have been rebuilt. The oldest sur-
viving structure is the 15th-century Okcheongyo stone bridge over the stream by the main
gate.
The main hall, Myeongjeongjeon, with its latticework and ornately carved and decor-
ated ceiling, dates back to 1616. The stone markers in the courtyard show where the dif-
ferent ranks of government officials had to stand during major state ceremonies. The
smaller buildings behind the main hall were where the kings and queens lived in their sep-
arate households. Beyond here paths through a spacious wooded garden with an orna-
mental pond Chundangji lead to the Great Greenhouse, Korea's first modern conservatory
built in 1909 by the Japanese.
English-speaking tours (free, one hour) around the palace are offered at 11am and 4pm
from Okcheongyo. Also look out for dates when the palace is open for night viewing and
illuminated, making it a romantic spot (if you can ignore the crowds).
