Changdeokgung

Changdeokgung is not the palace of Turkish sultans, which is full of gold, marble and other luxuries. It is first of all a national cultural and natural park, which represents the architecture of ancient Korea and the landscape features of the way of life of Koreans many centuries ago. There is a huge forest area with beautiful pine trees, ponds, pagodas and unusual monuments. For example, there is a stone sculpture under which the royal family kept the placenta and umbilical cords of their children, there is a sundial, there is a modern winter greenhouse with various tropical plants. Take some bread with you when you go to Changdeokgung, the carp in the pond will stick their heads out of the water and ask to be fed, very funny. If you just want to walk around and have a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, you should definitely come here.

A lovely spot if you enjoy nature and historical settings—great for a calm walk. The Secret Garden tour is worth it, but make sure to book in advance (slots open about 4–5 days ahead), and the tour lasts around an hour. Some of the entrance staff weren’t very helpful and came off as a bit rude, which took away from the overall experience.

This place is amazing at first. When i got there, they were closed, and i saw i line of people waiting to get in to buy tickets. The ticket cost: General ticket: The whole palace ( minus the secret garden) 3000 Won This is what i bought as the guided tour was after 1 and a half hours, which i didn't want to wait. Secret garden tickets: 5000 won if you want to take both its total 8000 won, you can not go alone in the secret garden has to be with a tour guide as they only allow specific amounts of people to go inside with a guide at a time. well I took the general ticket for 3000 won and you can see my pictures it was great so even if you buy the general tickets tour good!!! ITS A MUST VISIT!

Visited Changdeokgung Palace earlier today and on getting to the ticket booth realized that, today being the last Wednesday of the month, that the entrance e was free. An amazing repository of Korean history, very well preserved (some restoration work was ongoing when we went there). Unfortunately, could not visit the highly recommended Secret Garden, tickets for which must be obtained separately and there are only limited daily tours there. The Palace and accessory buildings are spread over a very large area - give it atleast three hours to calmly walk the serene grounds and take in the history and architecture. Absolutely worth a visitvwhen in Seoul!!

Such a beautiful and peaceful place. Changdeokgung is definitely one of the prettiest spots I visited in Seoul. The palace buildings and colors are stunning, and the whole place has a really calm vibe — not too crowded, which I appreciated. I wanted to visit the Secret Garden but it was already sold out when I arrived around 1 PM, so if you’re planning to go, try to get there earlier! Still, walking around the main palace grounds was super nice and totally worth it. Great spot if you enjoy a bit of history and just want to stroll around somewhere quiet and beautiful.

my guide's recommendation to visit Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden (Huwon) in November for autumn leaves is spot on! This UNESCO World Heritage site truly transforms into a breathtaking spectacle during fall. Changdeokgung Palace itself is renowned for its harmonious blend with nature, unlike other palaces that follow a more rigid, symmetrical design. You can explore the various palace buildings, courtyards, and gates, imagining the lives of Joseon Dynasty royalty. The true gem, however, is the Secret Garden (Huwon). This sprawling garden, originally reserved for the royal family, is a masterpiece of Korean landscaping, featuring pavilions, ponds, and ancient trees arranged to complement the natural contours of the land. In November, the foliage bursts into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating stunning photo opportunities and a truly serene atmosphere. It's often considered one of Seoul's most enchanting spots for autumn foliage. Important Note: Access to the Secret Garden is usually only by guided tour, and tickets are limited. It's highly recommended to book your Secret Garden tour online in advance, especially during the peak autumn season in November, as tickets often sell out quickly. You'll need to purchase a general admission ticket for the palace grounds first, and then a separate ticket for the Secret Garden tour. Be prepared for a walk as the garden is extensive, but the beauty of the autumn leaves, reflected in the ponds and framing the traditional architecture, makes every step worthwhile. The crisp November air adds to the charm, making it a perfect day to immerse yourself in Korean history and natural beauty.

spacious and bigger than i thought! nice area to walk around in to admire the buildings. some people were dressed up in 한복 (hanbok) and taking photos. you could probably spend a good hour or so in here.

I don’t know if I have the words to perfectly describe this incredibly beautiful place. When you step inside it feels surreal and enchanting, especially during the cherry blossom season we came. As you walk and admire the details of each section of the expansive palace, you feel the majestic and historical significance of this magnificent palace. We visited on a Tuesday around 10:30am and the queue to purchase entrance tickets was long (we weren’t wearing hanbok, if you are then no need for an entrance ticket - Gyeongbokgung is closed on Tuesdays so perhaps more tourists planned to visit Changdeokgung). The entrance ticket does not include entrance to the secret garden. By the time we reached the ticket booth, all the secret garden tickets with an English speaking guide was sold out for the day. They advised we could purchase the time slot with a Korean speaking guide and will be free to roam around so that’s what we did. Because of the limited capacity, the Secret Garden had so much space to admire the beauty and history of the vicinity to your own liking. The weather was warm with a nice cool breeze while sitting on the steps mesmerised by the beauty of the royal library and private pond. Together with other locals and tourists alike (hanbok or not) Changdeokgung and the secret garden makes for a truly magical experience.