Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁), Seoul's only UNESCO World Heritage palace, is a masterpiece of Joseon-era architecture that follows the natural terrain rather than imposing on it. Its rear Secret Garden (Huwon) — a 78-acre royal retreat of ponds, pavilions, and ancient trees — requires a separate guided tour with strictly capped entry.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Sun 09:00–18:30 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Subway Line 3, Anguk Station, Exit 3 — approx. 5-min walk (389 m). Also reachable from Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, 5), Exit 6, ~10-min walk. |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours for palace grounds; add 1.5 hours for the Secret Garden guided tour. |
| Best time to go | Autumn (October–November) for peak foliage in the Secret Garden; spring (late March–April) for cherry blossoms. Weekday mornings for smaller crowds. |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Locals Score
- Value8.5
- Freshness5.9
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a separate ticket for the Secret Garden (Huwon)?
- Yes. The Secret Garden requires a separate guided-tour ticket on top of your palace admission. A combined palace + Secret Garden ticket costs ₩8,000 for adults, ₩5,000 for seniors, and ₩4,000 for youth. Individual, self-guided entry to the Secret Garden is not permitted.
- Is there a combo ticket that covers multiple palaces?
- Yes. An Integrated Palace Ticket costs ₩10,000 for adults and ₩5,000 for children, covering Changdeokgung (including Secret Garden), Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung, and Jongmyo Shrine, with 3 months' validity.
- How much does it cost to enter Changdeokgung Palace?
- General palace admission is ₩3,000 for adults (ages 19–64) and ₩1,500 for youth (ages 7–18). Children under 7, seniors 65+, and visitors wearing hanbok enter free. Entry is also free on Culture Day, the last Wednesday of every month.
- Is Changdeokgung a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
- Yes. Changdeokgung was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, recognised for its outstanding influence on Korean architecture, garden design, and landscape planning. It is the only one of Seoul's Five Grand Joseon Palaces to hold this designation.
- What languages are the Secret Garden tours offered in?
- English-language guided tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 15:30 (February–November), with the 15:30 slot dropped December–January. A Chinese-language tour runs at 12:30. Korean-language tours run more frequently throughout the day.
- How do I book Secret Garden tour tickets?
- Up to 100 tickets are available per tour session: 50 sold online via the official reservation site (available from 10:00 KST, 6 days in advance) and 50 sold on-site at the ticket office from 9:00 AM on the day. Online slots sell out fast for weekends and autumn; book as early as possible.
- What is there to see inside the Secret Garden?
- The Secret Garden (Huwon) covers around 78 acres nestled against Bugaksan Mountain and features several scenic ponds — including Buyongji with its Buyongjeong Pavilion — plus Juhamnu Pavilion, Yeongyeongdang Hall, ancient trees, and lotus gardens. The tour route takes approximately 1.5 hours.
- What are the palace's opening hours and which day is it closed?
- The palace opens at 09:00 daily and closes at 18:00 (Feb–May & Sep–Oct), 18:30 (Jun–Aug), or 17:30 (Nov–Jan). It is closed every Monday. Last admission is one hour before closing.
Nearby in Ask Seoul
- ChangdeokgungAttraction0.18 km · 2 min walk
- Dongbinggo HanjeongsikRestaurant0.34 km · 4 min walk
- Cafe Onion AngukCafé0.43 km · 5 min walk
- Bukchon Hanok Village Museum (Gahoe Museum)Museum0.58 km · 7 min walk
- Bukchon Hanok Village Green Spaces & Samcheong ParkPark0.6 km · 7 min walk
Where to stay near Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
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