The Secret Garden
Guided tour, booked ahead.
Josh Hallett — CC BY-SA 2.0 · np&djjewell — CC BY 2.0 · Expert Infantry — CC BY 2.0 · eimoberg — CC BY 2.0
The best preserved of Seoul's royal palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. It was founded in 1405 as a second palace after Gyeongbokgung, yet most Joseon kings preferred to live here. After the war of 1592 destroyed every palace in the city, this one was rebuilt and served as the main seat of government for about three centuries. What sets the palace apart is that its buildings follow the slope of the hill instead of lining up on a single axis. You enter through Donhwamun gate and cross an old stone bridge to Injeongjeon, the throne hall, then pass the king's and queen's quarters and Nakseonjae, a plain residence of unpainted wood. Behind the buildings lies the rear garden, Huwon, known as the Secret Garden, which takes up more than half of the grounds. It has the Buyongji pond and small pavilions among trees that are centuries old, and was reserved for the royal family. The garden can only be visited on a guided tour with a separate ticket; book on the official site six days ahead, as spring and autumn slots sell out fast. The palace is closed on Mondays. Allow an hour for the buildings and an hour and a half for the garden.
Guided tour, booked ahead.
The ceremonial heart.
The garden's finest view.
99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu; Anguk Station (Line 3), exit 3
Changgyeonggung PalaceA quiet palace adjoining Changdeokgung on its east side; the two were once known4 minutes walk4.6
Bukchon Hanok VillageAn old residential quarter between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces, with7 minutes walk4.5
Jongmyo ShrineA royal Confucian shrine built to commemorate the kings and queens of the Joseon7 minutes walk4.6
InsadongSeoul's street of traditional arts and crafts, and historically the largest mark11 minutes walk4.4
Gyeongbokgung PalaceThe largest and best known of Seoul's five royal palaces, and the first one the 15 minutes walk4.5Yes. It is visited only on a guided tour with a separate 5,000 won ticket. Booking opens on the official site six days before the visit, and a limited number of same-day tickets are sold on site.
On Mondays. On other days it opens at 09:00 and closes between 17:30 and 18:30, depending on the season.