| Address |
| 5-1 Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul |
| Description |
Located at the corner of the busiest intersection of downtown Seoul, Deoksugung
Palace is, among other things, a palace famous for its elegant stone-wall road.
It is the only one that has western buildings beside it, and it adds to the
uniqueness of the scenery. Deoksugung Palace originally belonged to Wolsandaegun
(1454~1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469~1494) of the Joseon
Dynasty. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575~1641) ascended the
throne and gave the palace the name Gyeongwungung in 1611. Afterwards, the name
was changed to Deoksugung.
Enter Deoksugung Palace and Daehanmun, and
Geumcheon appears, with the Geumcheon bridge, wide enough for the king’s
carriage to pass. The Beopjeon Building Junghwajeon is very stately looking,
telling of its long history. The Jeukjodang Building received its name because
Gwanghaegun and In-Jo both ascended to the throne here. The front sign on
Jeukjodang was written personally by GoJong in 1905 after he became king.
Hamnyeongjeon was where GoJong slept, and Hamnyeong was named so to wish GoJong
lasting peace. The East Wing served as the King’s room, and the west wing was
for the Queen. Jeonggwanheon was the first western style building built in the
palace in 1900. GoJong enjoyed drinking coffee and spending his free time here.
The back of the building had secret passageways to the Russian Emissary, which
still exist today.
Seokjojeon is the other western style building that still
remains in Gyeongwungung, and it was in the process of being built by a British
man for his company when in 1905 the property rights became that of Japan. It
was finally completed in 1910. After Gojong’s death, Seokjojeon became a
Japanese art gallery and open to public, and after Korean Independence, the
American-Russian joint commission was held here as well in May 1946. The east
wing of Seokjogwan building now serves as a Palace Treasure exhibition, and the
west wing is used as part of National Modern Arts Center.
| |
| Directions |
Subway – Get off at City Hall Station. If coming from Subway Line 1, go out Exit
No. 2, and if coming from Subway Line 2, go through Exit No. 12. Walk for about
2~5 minutes.
| |
| Information |
- Inquiries: Deoksugung Palace Tourism Office Tel : 756-0045
(English,Korean,Jap)
Royal Museum :+82-2-771-9952 (English,Korean,Jap)
- Homepage:
http://www.junggu.seoul.kr/tour/korean/index.php (Korean,
English, Chinese, Japanese,
Russian)
- Hours: Mar. - Oct. 09:00-18:00
(weekdays), 09:00-19:00 (weekends)
Nov. - Feb. 09:00-17:30
- Closed: Every
Monday
- Admission Fee:
|
classification |
25~64 years old |
19~24 years old |
over 65, under 18 |
|
Individual |
1,000 won |
500 won |
free |
|
Group |
800 won |
400 won |
free | * Group over 30 persons
*
Entrance to the Palace is permitted up to one hour before closing time. |
| Travel Tips |
Palace Sumunjang Exchange Ceremony
- End of March ~ December (except Mondays
and National Holidays)
Morning : Suwi Ceremony : Afternoon (2:00 ~ 3:30
pm)/
Exchange Ceremony (July, August 3:00 ~ 4:30 pm) |
