Changdeokgung & the Secret Garden

창덕궁 (돈화문) · 후원

UNESCO palace whose guided Secret Garden walk is the real prize

⚠ Closed Mon; garden by booking

Hours

Feb–May & Sep–Oct 09:00–18:00, Jun–Aug 09:00–18:30, Nov–Jan 09:00–17:30 (last entry 1 hour before). Closed Mondays. Korean garden tours hourly 10:00–15:00 (+16:00 Mar–Oct)

Tickets

Palace ₩3,000 plus ₩5,000 for the garden (₩8,000 total). Garden slots open online six days ahead at 10am via the royal palaces booking site; half are sold on the day. Palace fees rise from January 2027

Address

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu

Smaller than Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung follows the slope of the hill, so its halls sit at odd, relaxed angles. The real draw is the rear garden. Follow the guide up a wooded path and the square Buyongji pond and two-storey Juhamnu pavilion appear out of nowhere; further in is Ongnyucheon, where kings floated wine cups down a channel cut into rock. In autumn the maples reflect in the ponds and slots fill early.