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| <The main gate of Chandeokgung Palace> source : http://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%B0%BD%EB%8D%95%EA%B6%81 |
Changdeokgung Palace represents the unique Palace architecture and garden culture of the Joseon Dynasty. While the buildings in the Gyeongbokgung Palace stand in good order on a flat road, the most distinguished feature of the Changdeokgung Palace is that the space is arranged in harmony with nature. It has beautiful and natural scenery because all buildings, garden, even small stones and trees in the Palace were placed in harmony with nature, whereas other palaces were built artificially to symbolize the authority of the kings. So if you stand in front of the main gate of the palace, Donhwamun, you can't see the royal audience hall unlike other palaces because the buildings weren't arranged in a straight line but placed in different ways depending on the natural features and space size.
Must-see places in Changdeokgung Palace
There are two courses to look around the palace. One is the regular tour which you can only see the palace area, the other is Huwon (Secret Garden) Course which you have to accompany with the guide. You're required to make a reservation in advance for Huwon Tour via Tel: +82-2-762-8261 (English), Online reservations (Korean only)
1. Injeongjeon Hall
It's the symbolical place of this palace. Important national events such as coronation ceremony of new kings, congratulatory ceremony and reception of envoys were held at Injeongjeon. At those events, civil officials lined up in the east side, and military officials stood in the west side according to their rank stones.
2. Huijeongdang Hall
Originally it's the king's bed chamber, but it became used as a room for council in the late Joseon Dynasty. The original Huijeongdang was destructed by a fire in 1917. There is the evidence in the reconstructed building that adopted the western culture such as western-style chairs, glass windows and carpets in the late Joseon Dynasty.
The picture source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changdeokgung
3. Daejojeon Hall
It's the official residence of the queen and the most difficult to access the place. A main floored room divides it into west Ondol(Korean floor heating system), the bed room for queen and east ondol, the bed room for king. Besides, the princes and princesses were born and educated in here. It's the place where the last council in the Royal presence of the Joseon Dynasty was held in 1910. Japanese annexation of Korea which our sovereignty was deprived by Japan was determined in the council, and Joseon Dynasty that had a long history came to an end. It's the place of our poignant history.
Behind the palace, there is Huwon (Rear garden or Secret garden) which was originally used for the royal family and palace women. Even high officials were not allowed to enter without the king's permission. The garden is comprised of a pond, pavilions, landscaped lawns, a hundred different species of trees and flowers.
4. Buyongji area (in the Secret Garden)
The pond of Buyongji has an area of 1000㎡, and it is the most largest place in the garden. There is a round islet in the pond that the huge pine is growing. Buyongji had based on a 'Cheonwonjibang' ideology that means the heavens is round and the earth is square. Therefore, it has squared pond representing the earth and round islet representing the heavens. Also, there is a unique shaped pavilion called Buyongjeong which its two pillars were erected in the pond. It was used as the place that king and royal family enjoyed reading books and took a rest.
The picture source : http://blog.naver.com/wonc97?Redirect=Log&logNo=50151611506
- Direction : Exit 3 of Anguk stn. on subway line 3 and go straight for 5 min.
- Closed on Mondays
- Further information regarding admission&tickets sales time, tour hours, admission fees, free guided tour and more explanation of places is displayed on the palace's official website. Visit http://eng.cdg.go.kr/main/main.htm
