| What is it? |
Changgyeonggung (창경궁) was the third of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty! |
| What makes it historical? |
King Sejong built this palace for his aging father, King Taejong, in the early 1400s. On the smaller side for a royal palace, it was often used to house the queen and concubines. Unlike all the other palaces in Seoul, which face south, the main hall, the Myeongjeongjeon, faces east, rather than south. That’s because it is directly north of the Jongmyo shrine of the ancestors, and according to Confucian custom, the house of the king could not face his ancestors!
During the Japanese colonization from 1910 until 1945, this palace complex was used as a zoo and botanical garden. The Chundangji pond out back, which the king used as a rice paddy, became a pond for model boats, and remains a pond today! The palace was moved to its current location and restored in 1983! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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| Where is this place? |
185 Changgyeonggung-ro
Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
South Korea
From Busan: ~246mi (396km) — 4.1hrs
From Daegu: ~179mi (289km) — 3hrs
From Incheon: ~25mi (41km) — 0.5hrs
From Seoul: ~1mi (2km) — 0.1hrs |
| When should I go? |
The Palace is open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 9:00 AM and closes as early as 5:30 PM and as late as 6:30 PM, depending on the season! |
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