Changdeokgung Secret Garden

~throw back to mid of November 2025~ This secret garden requires a separate entrance ticket of KRW 5,000. Personally, I don’t find it very worth it. I expected the garden to be more beautiful and unique, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations, and there wasn’t much to see. You don’t need to spend much time there, about an hour is enough to walk through the entire area.

Highly recommended. At the center of the palace grounds the secret garden contains a mix of gorgeous buildings and nature. The buildings are more unique than I'm the palace grounds and the forest is beautiful, with both natural and manicured trees. The complimentary guide was great and you get to explore in your own if you prefer. I recommend doing both for the best experience. The entrance is through the ground if the Changdeokgung palace. The garden ticket is additional to the main grounds ticket, and the entrance times are limited, but it's totally worth it and very affordable.

A magical night at Changdeokgung Palace’s Secret Garden (Huwon)! Originally the private retreat of Joseon kings, Huwon was designed as a hidden sanctuary where nature and philosophy shaped royal life. I joined the guided night tour at the palace, each of us carrying lanterns to light the way through moonlit paths and historic pavilions. The atmosphere was immersive, with traditional performances unfolding in a quiet courtyard toward the end. A rare chance to experience Korean heritage after dark.

The Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace, once used for royal entertainment and ceremonies, is a significant heritage site showcasing traditional landscaping. The garden was kept as natural as possible, the landscaping, pavilions and buildings reflects traditional Korean architecture, demonstrating a masterful harmony between structures and nature. In my opinion, 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. I visited this garden on 5 November 2025 and autumn foliage was nearing its peak, it was so beautiful.

This is the rear garden of the royal palace Changdeokgung. The garden is so nicely designed. The design respects the natural hill. The garden was built with slopes. This resembles the design of those gardens in Eastern and Southern China. Just turn around, there will be another picturesque view waiting for you. It is worth paying a visit. But the admission tickets are required to buy in addition to the admission ticket of the palace. There are several sessions with tour of different languages. Check carefully when you buy the tickets.

It was fun to discover another palace-type sightseeing spot 🤩. I used Google Maps this time — it directed me to take a bus even though I was already nearby, but I chose to walk instead to see and feel the area. The surrounding wall is long, and there are some nice cafés and bars nearby (about a 10–20 minute walk from the ticketing office) if you’d like to rest or people-watch. I visited on a Sunday after having fun exploring Ikseon-dong Hanok Village. I’d suggest buying the ticket for the Secret Garden in advance — it was sold out when I got there! 🥺. Note that the general admission timing is also allocated, so do plan ahead. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes for walking and supporting your weight. Bring water and an umbrella too if you don’t want to be dehydrated 😉. 2 stars because I didn’t get to go in, but I did enjoy exploring the neighborhood.

A Breathtaking Blend of History and Nature Visiting the Secret Garden at Changdeokgung in autumn was truly unforgettable. The palace grounds merge seamlessly with nature, offering a breathtaking display of fall colors—golden ginkgos, fiery maples, and serene ponds reflecting the season’s beauty. I highly recommend getting your ticket through the online reservation system—it's easy and ensures you don’t miss out, especially during peak seasons. If you’re someone who appreciates both cultural heritage and the tranquility of nature, this is an absolute must-visit in Seoul. A perfect escape within the city!

This attraction was less a garden and more of a historical insight to the former kings and the architecture of the ancient buildings on site. While beautiful on it's own, I would recommend a tour, which require a reservation. This is deep inside the palace structures so get their early and wear comfortable shoea.