The Changdeokgung Palace Complex is a royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty at 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99). It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. The palace is open every day except Monday. From November through January, hours are 09:00–17:30, and the last entry is at 16:30. Adult admission to the palace grounds costs 3,000 KRW (~$2 USD). Better still, general admission is free from Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 15.
What Is the Changdeokgung Palace Complex?
Changdeokgung (昌德宮) was first built in 1405, the fifth year of King Taejong’s reign, as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace. Fire destroyed it in 1592 during the Imjin War (the Japanese invasions of Korea). In 1610, the second year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign, it became the first of the palaces to be rebuilt. For roughly 270 years after that, until Gyeongbokgung was rebuilt in 1867, kings spent more time here than anywhere else, so it served as the main palace in all but name.
The palace doesn’t follow a rigid, symmetrical plan. Its buildings were placed to fit the surrounding terrain, and that is a big reason it’s often called the most Korean of the palaces. It runs straight into neighboring Changgyeonggung with no boundary between them, and the two together were known as Donggwol (東闕), the “Eastern Palace.”
The palace also holds important moments from modern Korean history. Heungbokheon, a building attached to Daejojeon Hall, is where the decision behind the 1910 national humiliation (Gyeongsul Gukchi, the Japanese annexation of Korea) was made. After liberation, the last members of the Korean Empire’s royal family lived out their final years in the Nakseonjae area: Empress Sunjeong, Crown Princess Uimin (Lady Yi Bang-ja), and Princess Deokhye.
The rear garden, Huwon (후원), north of the palace, was first laid out in 1406 (the sixth year of King Taejong’s reign) and enlarged in 1463 (the ninth year of King Sejo’s reign). It too burned during the Imjin War. From King Injo’s reign through King Sunjo’s, pavilions and halls went up one after another, among them Ongnyucheon, Gyujanggak, Juhamnu, Aeryeonji, Uiduhap, and Yeongyeongdang. The result was a place for rest and daily life right beside the halls of government.
Can You Visit the Changdeokgung Palace Complex at Night?
All the official visiting hours confirmed for this guide are during the day. We could not confirm any regular night-viewing hours. You can only be inside the palace during opening hours, and entry closes one hour before closing time.
From November to January the palace closes at 17:30, the earliest closing time of the year. If you’re planning a late-afternoon visit, make sure you get in before the 16:30 last entry. To find out whether any evening events are scheduled, check the notices on the Changdeokgung website before you go.
Changdeokgung Palace Complex Opening Hours and Closing Days
| Period | Opening Hours | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Feb–May, Sep–Oct | 09:00–18:00 | 17:00 |
| Jun–Aug | 09:00–18:30 | 17:30 |
| Nov–Jan | 09:00–17:30 | 16:30 |
- Closed: Every Monday. If a Monday falls on a public holiday or substitute holiday, the palace stays open and closes on the next weekday instead.
Changdeokgung Palace Complex Tickets and Secret Garden Fees
Palace Grounds Admission
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults (Korean citizens aged 25–64, foreign visitors aged 19–64) | 3,000 KRW (~$2 USD) |
| Groups of 10 or more | 2,400 KRW (~$2 USD) |
Free admission applies to visitors wearing hanbok, Korean citizens aged 24 and under (with ID), foreign visitors aged 18 and under, Korean and foreign visitors aged 65 and over, pregnant women plus one companion, and registered people with disabilities, among others. You’ll need proof of eligibility. The official fee guide also lists every Wednesday as free under “Culture Day” (문화가 있는 날). Free admission does not cover the Huwon.
Free entry from October 29 (Thu) to November 15 (Sun): General admission is free at the four main palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The free period does not apply to the Changdeokgung Huwon special tour or on closing days.
Huwon (Secret Garden, 비원) Admission
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults (aged 19–64) | 5,000 KRW (~$4 USD) |
| Seniors (aged 65 and over) | 5,000 KRW (~$4 USD) |
| Children (aged 7–18) | 2,500 KRW (~$2 USD) |
The Huwon fee is separate from palace admission, and you also need a palace grounds ticket. There’s no group discount, and wearing hanbok does not waive the Huwon fee.
How to Book the Changdeokgung Palace Complex Secret Garden Tour
You can only enter the Huwon on a scheduled tour. Each tour takes up to 100 people: 50 places are sold online and 50 on site on the day.
- Online booking: Opens at 10:00 six days before your visit and runs until the day before, first come, first served.
- On-site tickets: Go on sale at 09:00 on the day of your visit.
| Tour Language | Period | Tour Times |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | Nov–Feb | 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 |
| Korean | Mar–Oct | Every hour, 10:00–16:00 |
| English | Mar–Nov | 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30 |
| English | Dec–Feb | 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 |
| Japanese | — | 13:30 |
| Chinese | — | 12:30 |
Check the official page to see which days have Japanese and Chinese tours. Korean nationals can’t join foreign-language tours on their own, but up to two can come along with a foreign visitor.
How to Get to the Changdeokgung Palace Complex
The nearest station is Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3, about a 5-minute walk away. From Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5), Exit 7, the walk takes about 10 minutes. If you’re coming by bus, get off at the Seoul Donhwamun Gugakdang (서울돈화문국악당) stop.
| From | Route | Travel Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anguk Station | Walk from Exit 3 (Line 3) | About 5 min | — |
| Jongno 3-ga Station | Walk from Exit 7 (Lines 1, 3, 5) | About 10 min | — |
| Seoul Station | Subway Line 1 to Jongno 3-ga Station, then a 10-minute walk from Exit 7 | No official info | No official info |
| Incheon International Airport | AREX (Airport Railroad) all-stop train from Incheon Airport Terminal 2 to Seoul Station, then the Seoul Station route above | 67 min to Seoul Station | 5,350 KRW (~$4 USD) per adult to Seoul Station |
| Bus Type | Route Numbers |
|---|---|
| Trunk (blue) | 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272, 710 |
| Branch (green) | 7025 |
- Parking: The palace has no parking lot, so come by public transportation.
- Entrance: Donhwamun, the main gate, is closed for restoration until July 2027. During the work, visitors enter through Geumhomun Gate on the west side and leave through the fire gate next to it. This information comes from a November 2024 news report, so follow the signs on site.
Before You Go
- Gwollaegaksa closed (October 30 (Fri) – November 1 (Sun)): Fire suppression work is underway at Gwollaegaksa (궐내각사), the area that housed the royal court offices, so it is off-limits. Over the same dates, the in-depth Gwollaegaksa session of the Changdeokgung Gipibogi (창덕궁 깊이보기) program won’t run. We couldn’t confirm the exact closure dates in the full notice, so check the official announcement before you visit. The rest of the palace is open as usual.
- The Huwon is still paid during the free period: The Huwon special tour is not free between October 29 and November 15.
- Current event: An event called Wanggwa Wangbiui Saenghwalgonggan, Changdeokgung Naejeone Deulda (왕과 왕비의 생활공간, 창덕궁 내전에 들다) runs from October 20 (Tue) to October 31 (Sat). It focuses on the inner quarters where the king and queen lived.
Changdeokgung Palace Complex Visiting Tips
- Book the Huwon in advance. Each tour has a cap, and online booking opens at 10:00 six days before your visit.
- Plan around the English tour times. In November, English tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 15:30. From December, the 15:30 tour is dropped.
- Last entry is early in winter. From November to January, entry closes at 16:30.
- Wear hanbok for free palace admission. The Huwon still costs extra (5,000 KRW (~$4 USD) for adults).
- Leave the car behind. There’s no parking, so walk over from Anguk or Jongno 3-ga Station.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book the Changdeokgung Palace Complex Huwon (Secret Garden)? Can I buy tickets on site?
Yes, you can book online or buy tickets on site. Online booking opens at 10:00 six days before your visit and runs until the day before, first come, first served. On-site tickets go on sale at 09:00 on the day. Each tour holds 100 people, split evenly: 50 online and 50 on site.
What are the Changdeokgung Palace Complex winter (November–January) opening hours?
The palace is open 09:00–17:30, with last entry at 16:30. From February to May and in September and October, hours are 09:00–18:00. From June to August, they’re 09:00–18:30.
If I wear hanbok, is the Changdeokgung Palace Complex Huwon free too?
No. Hanbok only gets you free entry to the palace grounds. The Huwon costs a separate 5,000 KRW (~$4 USD) for adults.
What time are the English tours of the Changdeokgung Palace Complex Huwon?
From March to November, English tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 15:30. From December to February, they run at 10:30, 11:30, and 14:30. Korean nationals can’t join foreign-language tours on their own, but up to two can come along with a foreign visitor.
Is there parking at the Changdeokgung Palace Complex? What’s the nearest subway station?
There’s no parking, so plan to use public transportation. The nearest station is Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 3, about a 5-minute walk away. From Jongno 3-ga Station (Lines 1, 3, and 5), Exit 7, it’s a 10-minute walk.
When is the Changdeokgung Palace Complex closed?
It’s closed every Monday. If a Monday falls on a public holiday or substitute holiday, the palace stays open and closes on the next weekday instead.
How do I get from Incheon International Airport to the Changdeokgung Palace Complex?
Take AREX (Airport Railroad) to Seoul Station, switch to Subway Line 1, and get off at Jongno 3-ga Station. The AREX all-stop train from Incheon Airport Terminal 2 to Seoul Station takes 67 minutes and costs 5,350 KRW (~$4 USD) per adult. From Exit 7 at Jongno 3-ga Station, it’s a 10-minute walk.
Is there a period when the Changdeokgung Palace Complex is free to enter?
Yes. General admission is free from Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 15. The free period doesn’t apply to the Huwon special tour or on closing days.
Contact
- Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99)
- Phone: Changdeokgung Management Office, 02-3668-2300
- Website: https://royal.cha.go.kr/cdg
