Changgyeonggung Palace

• Name: Changgyeonggung Palace, 창경궁
• Location: 2-1, Waryong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
• Reason to visit: One of the five royal palaces in South Korea, Historical Site in South Korea
• Our Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
• Opening Hours:  9:00-21:00 (From January to December); Closed on Monday
• Entrance fee:
• Adults age 19-64: 1,000 won
• Youth age 7-18: 500 won
• Children under 7: free
• Seniors over 65: free
• Culture Day (the last Wednesdays of every month): free
• Recommended tour: 5 Days Seoul Exploring Tour

In order to make the Korean royal family more comfortable, Changgyeonggung Palace was built on the basis of the existing Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeok Palace.
 

Changgyeonggung Palace was built as a temporary palace. It is different from other palaces that Changgyeonggung Palace is an eastern facing palace because its main gate can't face the Royal Ancestral Shrine.

Changgyeonggung Palace was designated as the Historical Site in South Korea. There are many parts of it designated as the National Treasure. 

History of Changgyeonggung Palace

Changgyeonggung Palace is one of the five major palaces in Seoul, located in the east of Seoul. It was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion and rebuilt in 1616.

Changgyeonggung Palace was demoted by the Japanese to Changgyeong Garden and used as a zoo during the Japanese occupation of Korea. The Koreans finally removed the remnants of Japanese rule with the joint efforts of themselves. Changgyeonggung Palace began to restore its appearance in 1987.

What to see in Changgyeonggung Palace

Honghwamun Gate

Honghwamun Gate is the main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace. The name of each gate contains good wishes and ‘Honghwa' means inspiring the public through the exercise of virtue. This gate was destroyed during the Japanese Invasion and rebuilt in 1616. Honghwamun Gate shortened the distance between the king and the citizens. King Jeongjo handed rice out to the poor to celebrate his mother's birthday.

Okcheongyo Bridge

Okcheongyo means a river as clear as jade. It is the only bridge in Changgyeonggung Palace. Okcheongyo Bridge was built in 1484 and designated as No.386 National Treasure because it remains intact after hundreds of years.

Myeongjeongjeon

Myeongjeongjeon Hall is the main hall of the Changgyeonggung Palace. It was used to hold the official royal events, such as king's enthronement, national ceremonies and royal receptions. Myeongjeongjeon Hall was built in 1484 and destroyed during the Japanese Invasion. This hall was used as a residence for the queens, so it's smaller than the Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace and Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace. But it was considered as the oldest hall among the same kind of halls.

Tongmyeongjeon Hall

Tongmyeongjeon Hall is a southern-facing building which was built used as the residence for the queens. The inner court usually is the battlefield of women and many bizarre stories happened there.

Grand Greenhouse

Grand Greenhouse is a western-style greenhouse that was built in 1909. It's the first western-style greenhouse in South Korea. It was built by the Japanese colonial government and constructed by a French company. Many ornamental plants from tropical areas were displayed after the house was finished constructing. The Grand Greenhouse was listed on the State-Registered Cultural Heritage No. 83.

How to get to Changgyeonggung Palace

By subway

Line 4, get off at Hyehwa Station, exit 4