Changgyeonggung Palace

Changgyeonggung Palace(“The Palace of Bright Rejoicing”) was once the summer palace of Goryeo KingSukjong. Today visitors come to stroll among the gardens and admire thearchitecture of the 15th century palace.

Start at the JongmyoShrine. This internationally protected World Heritage site is the oldestConfucian shrine in the world. It has existed as it is today since the 16thcentury, and holds tablets with inscriptions of teachings from the variousroyals of the Joseon Dynasty. Traditional rituals and ceremonies still takeplace here.

Heading away from Jongmyoon the footbridge towards Changgyeonggung Palace, note the stone structures onthe hill leading south. One of these is a former observatory. The palace’sgrand entrance gate, Honghwamu, leads onto the Okcheongyo bridge. Constructedin 1483, the bridge is considered to be the oldest in Seoul. Look for thecarved goblins lurking under the parapet.

Like Seoul’s other GreatPalaces, the peaceful atmosphere at Changgyeonggung hides a turbulent history.It was destroyed in the late 16th century by the Japanese, and damaged by firein the early 19th century. The majority of the buildings you see today are lessthan 200 years old. Keep your eyes peeled for older structures, such as theMyeongjeongjeon, which dates back to 1616 and is the oldest surviving main hallin Seoul.

Tours of ChanggyeonggungPalace are available at regular intervals throughout the day. Sign up for oneif you want to learn more about the palace’s colorful past. If you’renavigating the complex on your own, don’t miss Gyeongchunjeon, believed to bethe birthplace of several prominent kings.

The glasshouse, orDaeonsil, is a Victorian-style conservatory built in the early 20th century.It’s a peaceful space where you can wander among indigenous Korean plants. Atthe center of the Daeonsil you’ll find a Renaissance-style water fountain witha stone turtle beneath the surface.

Changgyeonggung Palace isopen Tuesday through Sunday. If you want to see Seoul’s four other grandpalaces, consider buying an integrated ticket for discounted entrance into allfive attractions.