Seoul has many palaces. There's Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Gyeonghuigung. If you have a lot of time on your hands, you can go visit all of them. But Ria and I were staying in Korea for only a few days, so we chose to go to one.
We decided to visit Changdeokgung because it was the site for the Koreanovela, Jewel in the Palace (Dae Jang Geum). It was built in 1405 to serve as the royal residence for the Joseon Dynasty. It is also known as the Eastern Palace, and is registered under the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Here we are at the Donhwamun, the entrance to the palace. It was very cold and windy. I think the temperature was 8 C. This was freezing weather considering we live in Manila where the average temperature is 32 C.
They have markers in front of every building with a map and a description
This is Injeong-jeon, the throne hall.
Hiding behind the corridors at Huljeong-dang, the residence of the King. The color scheme there is green and red, with dark blue tiles. The tour guide told us that the tiles were replaced every so often because of wear and tear. Also with the paint--they get retouched when they fade away.
Ticket office before entering the Secret Garden (also known as Forbidden Garden and Rear Garden). Entrance to both Changdeokgung and Secret Garden (with guided tour) cost W8,000 (around P320.00). That day there were only 2 scheduled English tours, 11:30am and 2:30pm. We took the 11:30 english guided tour.
Posing with my brother-in-law, EJ, at the walls of Seongjeong-gak.
English Guided Tour of the Secret Garden. Our tour guide spoke excellent english and explained to us each place. Here, Ria is trying to figure out where we are.
EJ and Annette with other people in the tour.
This is Buyongji and Juham-nu. It's a place for study and meditation.
Still in Buyongji. This pavilion used to be a library of a prince.
Our group photo before entering Aeryeongji.
This is Yeongyeong-dang. A traditional mansion of a government official with separate buildings for men and women.
The male quarters.
The temperature in Korea can really drop, so they heated the rooms by burning wood underneath the houses.
This is Jondeok-jeong walkway. You can notice how serene this place is. There's a lotus pond and a gazebo to help prince and princesses relax, meditate and enjoy nature.
Trying to relax and meditate like the Joseon princes did over 100 years ago.
Walking down to Ongnyucheon.
All gazebos had tiles on roofs, except for this. I call it the "Dap-ayan ti Korea" because it resembles the huts in my province.
Chandeokgung can be reached by subway (Line 3) and getting off at Anguk Station. Train ticket should cost you approximately W1,000 (P40.00).
Budget:
Item | Price |
One-way Subway Fare | P 40 |
Palace Entrace | P 120 |
Secret Garden Tour TOTAL | P 200 P 360 |
