Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

13.5Km 2025-01-17

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Shinsegae Department Store - Main Store (신세계백화점 (본점))

13.5Km 2025-04-07

63 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-1588-1234

Shinsegae Department Store opened its doors as the first modern department store in the country in 1960. It stands where Korea's first department store, the Japanese Misreukkosi Department Store, used to be in the 1930s. After undergoing remodeling in 2007, it reopened as a luxury hall, featuring diverse brands ranging from the top three international luxury brands to new designer brands. In addition, the Trinity Gardens and art halls in the department store serve as a cultural space for a shopping experience that combines art and shopping.

Matborae Jeukseok Tteokbokki (맛보래즉석떡볶이)

13.5Km 2021-03-19

9, Insadong, 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-4831

A spicy rice cakes specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is stir-fried rice cake with cheese. Jjajang tteokbokki is also delicious.

Haemong (해몽)

13.5Km 2021-03-19

15-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4229

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly. A Korean BBQ restaurant.

Sieunjae (시은재)

13.5Km 2024-12-23

439 , Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5355-3029

Sieunjae is a hanok stay that has stood in the midst of busy Gyeongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, for generations. The guestrooms comprise an anbang (bedroom plus living room), three smaller rooms, and a byeolchae or detached house. All rooms have a toilet, and there’s a well-equipped shared kitchen and a washing machine. Guests can either rent individual rooms or the whole hanok. Jongno is convenient for travel to all the historic sites of Seoul, and there’s a public carpark nearby.

Ijo (이조)

13.5Km 2021-03-26

8, Insadong 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-7610

Galbijjim (braised short ribs) is a traditional Korean menu of ribs seasoned with soy sauce. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is braised short ribs.

Arirang Master Crafts Shop (아리랑명품관)

13.5Km 2021-12-01

17-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-5700

Arirang Master Crafts Shop is a comprehensive shopping center dealing with traditional Korean crafts. It covers traditional crafts by famous artists, pottery for daily use, decorative pottery, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, crafts made of traditional Korean paper and more. Every product has a fixed price. In addtion, customers can enjoy diverse works displayed in the Migak Museum (Migak means delicate sculpture for eyes to see), located in the shop.

Kimchigol Well-being Bapsang(김치골웰빙밥상)

13.5Km 2024-10-14

22-5 Insadong-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-6436

A restaurant where you can try kimchi, a Korean traditional dish, and meat. The representative menu is kimchi cabbage wraps with pork. This is a Korean cuisine located in Insa-dong, Seoul.

Moonguesthouse(문게스트하우스)

13.5Km 2024-06-20

31-18, Samil-daero 32-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-745-8008, +82-10-8704-9981

The Moon Guesthouse is situated near a number of interesting tourist destinations including Unhyeongung Palace (3min on foot), Bukchon Hanok Village (5min on foot), Changdeokgung Palace (5min on foot), and Changgyeonggung Palace (10min on foot). The guesthouse was named ‘moon’ (‘door’ in English) because it has many 176 doors and windows. Upon entering by the gate, visitors will see a ‘ㄷ’-shaped hanok building in the courtyard, in which a wooden bedstead and a table are placed. On the opposite of the hanok building there is a wall roofed with tiles engraved with Korean patterns such as deer, pine, turtle, etc. Flowers in the flowerbed lined up along the wall are in bloom and the bonsai are also well-kept in the house. Renovated and opened as a guesthouse in September 2011, Moon Guesthouse consists of a bonchae (main building) and a byeolchae (detached house). The rooms are decorated with red clay and hanji (traditional Korean paper handmade from mulberry trees), and have under-the-floor heating (ondol). Each room is equipped with an air-conditioner, and has a 40cm-thick layer of red clay over the ceiling for insulation, making the rooms cool in summer and warm in winter. The house has seven individual guestrooms and five modern bathrooms, but the entire building (bonchae or byeolchae) can be rented, too. In particular, the unhyeondang of the bonchae is very popular as it can be converted into one large space for special events, group workshops, etc. simply by opening all the sliding doors (Bunhapmun – Goryeo construction style). This room, which is decorated with a flower-patterned windscreen, a landscape painting, and calligraphy, has been used as a shooting location for various TV programs including KBS2’s TV reality program Man’s Qualification and its variety show The Human Condition. The guestrooms are also equipped with traditional furniture including a cabinet inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The guesthouse also provides a variety of experience programs from 11am to 3pm, including tea ceremony, wearing Hanbok (traditional Korean clothes), making kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste), playing a traditional musical instrument, making a rubbing of a stone inscription, calligraphy, drawing orchids on a fan, and so on. The house has about seventy hanbok and other clothing accessories, as well as a royal costume. Its calligraphy and drawing orchid programs are run directly by the owner, who used to work as a classical Chinese teacher at a high school.

Masinneungimchijjim&Sundubu (맛있는김치찜&순두부)

13.5Km 2021-03-20

31, Ujeongguk-ro, 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-1095

Selling spicy soups, it’s a good place to visit after visiting Cheonggyecheon. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is pork and kimchi stew.

Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information