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

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

2.7Km    2025-01-17

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.

Yeojingop (여진곱)

2.7Km    2021-03-19

430, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-762-5157

A gopchang (intestine) restaurant located near Nakwon Music Mall. The best menu at this restaurant is beef small intestine hot pot/pork small intestine hot pot. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Hangukgwan (한국관)

2.7Km    2021-03-18

40, Seonggyungwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-764-6953

A great restaurant for group dinners. The best menu at this restaurant is Grilled Beef Ribs. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Olive Young - Donam Jungang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 돈암중앙점)

2.7Km    2024-06-26

1F, 118, Dongsomun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

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MUSICAL CHEF(뮤지컬 셰프)

2.7Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 종로구 삼일대로 428 (낙원동)

Ilsong Kalguksu (일송칼국수)

2.7Km    2021-03-18

44, Seonggyungwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-0880

This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. A store serving dishes at low prices. The best menu at this restaurant is noodle soup with clams.

Hotel Crown Insadong (호텔 크라운-인사동)

2.7Km    2021-02-10

9, Samil-daero 30-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3676-8000

Hotel Crown is a premier hotel that was renovated in May 2002. The hotel is in close proximity to Jongno and Insa-dong, making it a convenient place to stay for tourists.

Seongbuk Global Food Festival Nurimasil (성북세계음식축제 누리마실)

2.7Km    2021-11-26

1, Seongbuk-ro 8ga-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-6906-9298

Seongbuk Global Food Festival Nurimasil provides visitors with a chance to enjoy cultures from around the world in one place through food and arts. It is truly an international event open to visitors worldwide to experience unity and learn more about other cultures.

Moonguesthouse(문게스트하우스)

2.7Km    2024-06-20

31-18, Samil-daero 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-745-8008, +82-10-8704-9981

The Moon Guesthouse is situated near a number of interesting tourist destinations including Unhyeongung Palace (3min on foot), Bukchon Hanok Village (5min on foot), Changdeokgung Palace (5min on foot), and Changgyeonggung Palace (10min on foot). The guesthouse was named ‘moon’ (‘door’ in English) because it has many 176 doors and windows. Upon entering by the gate, visitors will see a ‘ㄷ’-shaped hanok building in the courtyard, in which a wooden bedstead and a table are placed. On the opposite of the hanok building there is a wall roofed with tiles engraved with Korean patterns such as deer, pine, turtle, etc. Flowers in the flowerbed lined up along the wall are in bloom and the bonsai are also well-kept in the house. Renovated and opened as a guesthouse in September 2011, Moon Guesthouse consists of a bonchae (main building) and a byeolchae (detached house). The rooms are decorated with red clay and hanji (traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees), and have under-the-floor heating (ondol). Each room is equipped with an air-conditioner, and has a 40cm-thick layer of red clay over the ceiling for insulation, making the rooms cool in summer and warm in winter. The house has seven individual guestrooms and five modern bathrooms, but the entire building (bonchae or byeolchae) can be rented, too. In particular, the unhyeondang of the bonchae is very popular as it can be converted into one large space for special events, group workshops, etc. simply by opening all the sliding doors (Bunhapmun – Goryeo construction style). This room, which is decorated with a flower-patterned windscreen, a landscape painting, and calligraphy, has been used as a shooting location for various TV programs including KBS2’s TV reality program Man’s Qualification and its variety show The Human Condition. The guestrooms are also equipped with traditional furniture including a cabinet inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The guesthouse also provides a variety of experience programs from 11am to 3pm, including tea ceremony, wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes), making kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste), playing a traditional musical instrument, making a rubbing of a stone inscription, calligraphy, drawing orchids on a fan, and so on. The house has about seventy hanbok and other clothing accessories, as well as a royal costume. Its calligraphy and drawing orchid programs are run directly by the owner, who used to work as a classical Chinese teacher at a high school.

Dowon Masan Agujjim (도원마산아구찜)

2.7Km    2021-03-22

438, Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-765-4009

A restaurant frequented by many celebrities. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is spicy braised monkfish.