Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

1.4Km 2024-10-28

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Insa-dong Geujip (인사동그집)

1.4Km 2024-03-18

3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-0575

Insa-dong Geujip is a hanok-style Korean restaurant located in a narrow alley in Insa-dong. Their signature dish, bulgogi yachaemari (bulgogi and vegetable roll), allows you to choose between stir-fried pork bulgogi, beef bulgogi, or chicken bulgogi. Visitors can enjoy the tangy and sweet flavor of the radish wrap filled with bulgogi and julienned vegetables, accompanied by side dishes and soybean paste stew. They also offer bulgogi nakji jeongol (bulgogi and octopus hot pot), cheolpan sogalbijjim (stir-fried marinated galbi on hot iron plate), and dolsot bibimbap (hot stone pot bibimbap) along with hahu yukhoe bibimbap (Korean beef tartare bibimbap).

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil (해풍부원군윤택영댁재실)

1.4Km 2021-11-10

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5882

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil is a shrine house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon dynasty in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored.
Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has the anchae (women’s quarters) located across from sarangbang (men’s quarters) with daecheong (living room) positioned between them.

CAFE Jongrosijang (CAFE종로시장)

1.4Km 2021-03-19

10, Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-1452

It sells American pancakes. The best menu at this restaurant is pancakes. This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul.

Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

1.4Km 2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

Knife Gallery (나이프갤러리)

1.4Km 2020-04-30

7, Insadong 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4431

The only knife specialty museum in Korea, this Insa-dong gallery is home to over 6,000 knives from all over the world. They include traditional Korean and Japanese knives, Chinese knives, decorative knives, knives by famous artists, and knives shown in movies. There are a variety of knives for both daily and decorative uses. Customers who order custom knives may observe the entire manufacturing process.

Kuukuu Myeong-dong(쿠우쿠우 명동)

1.4Km 2020-11-25

55 Myeongdong-gil Jung-gu Seoul
+82-2-753-1230

This is a place that sells a variety of sushi and salads. The best menu at this restaurant is sushi. This Japanese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Seungjin Toy (승진완구)

1.4Km 2021-05-14

30, Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-747-1900

Seungjin Toy is a toy store that carries almost every kind of toy imaginable from stuffed animals to character dolls and much more. What makes this store even more attractive to many customers is that their merchandise is, on average, 30% cheaper than that of their competitors.

Imun Seolnongtang (이문설농탕)

1.4Km 2022-01-25

38-13, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-6526

Imun Seolnongtang has been serving its hearty seolleongtang for over a hundred years since it first opened in 1907. Even its name has a long history: the word imun comes from Imun-gol, the now-obsolete name of the restaurant’s location, and seolnongtang, an old variation of the word seolleongtang. During the Japanese colonial rule, the restaurant’s regular customers included Gijeong Son, the marathon gold-medalist at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. To make the rich seolleongtang broth, beef meat and bones are simmered for more than 15 hours. Try putting rice and minced green onion in your seolleongtang for a warm and tasty experience. Kkakttugi (diced radish kimchi), provided as a side dish, is also delicious.

Eun Ha Su (은하수)

1.4Km 2021-10-20

145, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3705-9141~2

Eun Ha Su at Sejong Hotel was opened in 1978 as Elysee, the first Korean buffet in Korea. For the past 30 years, the restaurant has gained acclaim for its healthy and nutritious Korean cuisine, attracting both Korean and international diners.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information