One Cold Morning at Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul
Changdeokgung Palace is the most well-preserved palace amongst the five royal palaces left behind by the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul. Known as a place of rest for the kings (royal villa), this is the only palace which have a garden called Huwon (re: Secret Garden). There were not many people yet when Noona visited Changdeokgung Palace around 9.30AM in the morning. There is an admission fee of 3,000 KRW to enter Changdeokgung Palace. The weather was pretty cold but thankfully, there is sunshine. =)
The main square of the palace is similar to the one Noona spotted at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Deoksugung Palace. Supposedly all palaces in the Joseon era must have main square for ceremony (or death penalty for traitor) purpose.
If you are an officer of the palace who is living in Joseon area, you must stand according to your rank at every morning assembly. The lower rank you are, the further you have to stand from your king.
The unique part of Changdeokgung Palace is its secret garden (Huwon). Both Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon are recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary.
The weather was pretty cold that day, you can see the ground is all covered in white snow. The garden served as the resting place for the royals who live in Changdeokgung Palace back then. It must feel pretty good to be able to walk into the garden when you are getting tired from all the administrative work. After all, managing a country is sure not an easy job for everybody from any different period in the world.
There are so many pavilions like this one inside Huwon. Oh right, I nearly forget. You can only enter Huwon with the tour guide. So you have to check out the tour timings before coming to Changdeokgung Palace. There is an additional admission fee of 5,000 KRW to pay before you can join the tour and enter Huwon.
Things to take note for Huwon tour:
1. The duration of the tour is 90 minutes.
2. Children (age 6 and below) and people with disabilities are not required to pay admission BUT seniors are required to pay admission fee.
3. Timing of the tours (subject to change)
English: 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 (Feb-Oct) / 11:30, 13:30 (Nov-Jan)
Japanese: 10:30, 14:30
Chinese: 12:30
Japanese: 10:30, 14:30
Chinese: 12:30
4. Route (subject to weather condition)
Hamnyangmun - Buyongji - Bullomun, Aeryeonji - Gwallamji - Ongnyucheon - Yeongyeongdang - Bingcheon-gil - Donhwamun