Changdeokgung Secret Garden

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.

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.

Changeokgung Park itself is already extraordinarily beautiful and we got in free during the Korea Grand Festival. The Secret Garden was still paying entry and it was worth it. Whilst we waited for our turn we visited the wider park and temples. The Secret Garden is calm and peaceful. We meandered along by ourselves beyond without being forced to go with the group timing we were assigned to. We were visiting in early November amd the red orange and yellow tones of the leaves made for some unforgettable memories. We were lucky enough to see a heron on the lake.

Peaceful gardens next to Changdeokgung Palace. The gardens offer something different to the other palaces. I recommend you book in advance online. We visited on a Sunday in early September and there were plenty of tickets available online two days before (Friday). When I checked the day before (Saturday), most of the slots were booked up with only 1 ticket remaining. You enter with a guided tour but have the option to separate. We spent just over an hour in the gardens exploring at a leisurely pace.

Need to reserve a place for a guided tour in advance to access the secret garden. Visitors are required to follow the tour guide in the garden and free exploration is not allowed on the tour. However, after the tour ends, visitors can stay and freely explore the area. The tour guide was very professional, knowledgeable and eloquent. She introduced the political history of the Joseon dynasty, which included the life of its emperors and its relations with neighboring countries (primarily China and Japan). I highly recommend booking the guided tour.

So peaceful, so clean (like most places so far in Seoul), so organised. Very relaxing space. Not as crowded as we thought for a Sunday and walking distance to Hanok Village.