Deoksugung Palace, Seoul

Located in the west wing of Seokjojeon in Deoksugung Palace, which was built in 1938 as the first exhibition room for modern art objects in Korea, Deoksugung Palace Art Museum is a branch of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, specializing in exhibits of Korean contemporary art objects.

Located at the rear of the Deoksugung compound, in the Seokjojeon area, is a couple of more modern buildings housing art galleries.

Entrance is included with your admission to Deoksugung. At the time I visited, they were showing art made by Koreans during the Japanese invasion.

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The Deoksugung area was originally land and buildings held by decendants of the royal family.

When all of the palaces in Seoul were destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592, King Seonjo used these residential buildings as a temporary palace. They served as palace untill 1611, when King Gwanghaegun moved to Changdeokgung palace.

Palace grounds were made a park in 1933.

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Smaller than the 3 main palaces, this palace near city hall was the last actively used palace where King Gojong died in 1919. It was originally built in 1593 and was updated with modern buildings in 1895. It's the only palace with a mixture of traditional Korean and western buildings.

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Deoksugung Palace is not the most spectacular palace in Seoul, but it's home of Deoksugung Art Museum as well. Also they have some special exhibitions in the Seokjojeon.

Admission Fee:
1'000 Won (Half price for Kids and Teens from 7 to 18 yrs)

Opening Hours:
9am to 9pm
Closed on Mondays
Admission is available until an hour before closing

Free Guiding Service:
English: 10.30am (Tuesday to Friday), 1.40pm (Saturday, Sunday)
Japanese and Chinese are also available

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Located in downtown Seoul across the street from City Hall, Deoksu Palace vividly contrasts modern Seoul with traditional Korea. Built during the mid-fifteenth century, it is the smallest of Seoul's palaces. The palace contains many scenic areas and is a favorite among wedding photographers (who can overrun the area on weekdays!). Many local business men and women use the picnic area during lunch as a short escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown life.

In 1593, after all the royal palaces had been burnt down during the 1592 Japanese invasion, King Sonjo took up temporary residence in a villa which had been built for prince Wolsan (1454-1488). The ruler, King Kwangaegun, named the temporary residence Kyongun-gung. In 1897, King Kojong expanded the palace to make it suitable as the seat of government. King Sunjong later stayed here, renaming it Deoksu-gung (Palace of Virtuous Longevity). This palace includes some of the best examples of royal architecture of the Chosun Dynasty (1392-1910) and has been designated as Historic Site #124 by the central government for preservation and protection. Sokchon-jeon Hall now houses the Royal Museum.

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Deoksugung Palace is famous for its elegant stone-wall road and It is the only one of all the palaces in Seoul that has western buildings beside it, and it adds to the uniqueness of the scenery. Built during the mid-fifteenth century, it is the smallest of Seoul's palaces. The palace contains many scenic areas and is a favorite among wedding photographers (who can overrun the area on weekdays!). Many local business men and women use the picnic area during lunch as a short escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown life.

The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace from 10:30am to 11:00am in the morning, from 14:00 to 14:30 and from 15:00 to 15:30 in the afternoon. As each ceremony follows the same procedure and lasts for thirty minutes, visitors can choose whichever time is most convenient. The ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.

Hours:
Mar. ~ Oct. - 09:00 ~ 17:00 (Saturdays, Sundays until 18:00)
Nov. ~ Feb. - 09:00 ~ 16:30
Closed Mondays

Admission:
Adults (19 to 64 years old): 1,000 won (groups: 800 won)
Children (7 to 18 years old) and soldiers: 500 won (groups: 400 won)
* Children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: Free

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CHANGDEOKGUNG, it was use as the main palace by many Joseon Kings and the best preserved among the five royal Joseon palaces.
Changdeokgung is best known for its beautiful garden ror the royal family, HUWON (or Biwon “Secret Garden”).

Changdeokgung has been designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO.