Seoul's 5 Palaces
Korea's history of being a monarchical state before becoming a Republic means that there are some very majestic castles left behind. Korea Monthly's writer Sa Sung tells us more about the Five Palaces of Seoul.
Before Korea became annexed by Japan in 1910, it was known as the Kingdom of Joseon for around 5 centuries from 1392 to 1897. During this period, the rulers of the Kingdom left behind many historically and culturally significant monuments, the most significant ones being the 5 Palaces of Seoul, from where the different rulers ruled over Korea.
The 5 palaces consist of Gyeongbokgung (경복궁), Changdeokgung (창덕궁), Changgyeonggung (창경궁), Deoksugung (덕수궁) and Gyeonghuigung (경희궁). All of them are similar in many areas – All five palaces have a main hall to conduct official meetings, a resting quarters for the king to retire for the night and gardens full of lush vegetation where the king relaxed. Unfortunately, due to Korea’s long history, the palaces have undergone neglect and destruction, and during the Japanese occupation of Korea, most of them have been used for other purposes. Even after the Japanese departed, and after the devastation caused by World War Two, urban developments in the Seoul area have also reduced the original land mass occupied by the palace.
Nevertheless, the five palaces still exude a sense of wonder and majesty today, and they remain key places of interest in Seoul.
The 5 palaces consist of Gyeongbokgung (경복궁), Changdeokgung (창덕궁), Changgyeonggung (창경궁), Deoksugung (덕수궁) and Gyeonghuigung (경희궁). All of them are similar in many areas – All five palaces have a main hall to conduct official meetings, a resting quarters for the king to retire for the night and gardens full of lush vegetation where the king relaxed. Unfortunately, due to Korea’s long history, the palaces have undergone neglect and destruction, and during the Japanese occupation of Korea, most of them have been used for other purposes. Even after the Japanese departed, and after the devastation caused by World War Two, urban developments in the Seoul area have also reduced the original land mass occupied by the palace.
Nevertheless, the five palaces still exude a sense of wonder and majesty today, and they remain key places of interest in Seoul.
Gyeongbokgung
The Gyeongbokgung (Korean: “The Palace Blessed By Heaven”) is the first of the five palaces built. Covering a total area of more than 400,000 square metres, it is also the largest of the Five Palaces. Built by King Gojong (고종) in 1395, it was the place where the past kings and queens stayed. The government of the Joseon dynasty worked here too.
During its more than seven centuries in existence, the Gyeongbokgung was destroyed by the Japanese twice – once in 1592 and then again by the Japanese colonial government in the early 20th century, but recent restoration works have slowly brought the sprawling 430,000 square metre complex back towards its former glory.
Due to its huge size, it is possible to spend your entire day here. Must-see places within the palace grounds include the Gwanghwamun (The Gate of Transformation by Light), which is the main gate leading to the Gyeongbokgung, the Geunjeongjeon (Imperial Throne Hall), where the king held official meetings and received foreign dignitaries, the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, where the king used to host royal banquets, and the Gyangwoenjoeng Pavilion, where the king rested in his spare time.
You can visit the Gyeongbokgung palace by taking the subway to Gyeongbokgung Station (on Subway Line 3) and take Exit 5.
During its more than seven centuries in existence, the Gyeongbokgung was destroyed by the Japanese twice – once in 1592 and then again by the Japanese colonial government in the early 20th century, but recent restoration works have slowly brought the sprawling 430,000 square metre complex back towards its former glory.
Due to its huge size, it is possible to spend your entire day here. Must-see places within the palace grounds include the Gwanghwamun (The Gate of Transformation by Light), which is the main gate leading to the Gyeongbokgung, the Geunjeongjeon (Imperial Throne Hall), where the king held official meetings and received foreign dignitaries, the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, where the king used to host royal banquets, and the Gyangwoenjoeng Pavilion, where the king rested in his spare time.
You can visit the Gyeongbokgung palace by taking the subway to Gyeongbokgung Station (on Subway Line 3) and take Exit 5.
Changdeokgung
The Changdeokgung (Korean: “The Prospering Virtue Palace”) was built in 1405 as a secondary palace to the Gyeongbokgung. In fact, it served as the state palace from 1609 until 1868, when rebuilding works were going on in the Gyeongbokgung. Whereas the Gyeongbokgung was built on flat ground, the Changdeokgung was built around the foot of Mount Bugaksan and Geumcheon River. A result of this is that while the palace retains a majestic air, its landscape gives it a rustic charm at the same time.
Like the Gyeongbokgung, the Changdeokgung was not spared from the ravages of war. The complex was burnt down during various periods of its history by the Japanese and the Manchus during the Qing Dynasty period. Restored in 1991, it is considered one of the better preserved palaces out of the five.
Rated by Lonely Planet as “the most beautiful of Seoul’s five main palaces”, the Changdeokgung’s natural surroundings give it its beauty, and it is partly because of the way the palace buildings blend in well with the landscape around the area that it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The key places to visit include the Injeongjeon Hall, which is the main building of the Changdeokgung palace, where major state affairs took place; the Daejojeon Hall, the Queen’s residence; and the Huijeongdang Hall, where the king usually worked.
The Changdeokgung is a five-minute walk away from exit 3 of Anguk Station (Subway Line 3).
Like the Gyeongbokgung, the Changdeokgung was not spared from the ravages of war. The complex was burnt down during various periods of its history by the Japanese and the Manchus during the Qing Dynasty period. Restored in 1991, it is considered one of the better preserved palaces out of the five.
Rated by Lonely Planet as “the most beautiful of Seoul’s five main palaces”, the Changdeokgung’s natural surroundings give it its beauty, and it is partly because of the way the palace buildings blend in well with the landscape around the area that it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
The key places to visit include the Injeongjeon Hall, which is the main building of the Changdeokgung palace, where major state affairs took place; the Daejojeon Hall, the Queen’s residence; and the Huijeongdang Hall, where the king usually worked.
The Changdeokgung is a five-minute walk away from exit 3 of Anguk Station (Subway Line 3).
Changgyeonggung
The Changgyeonggung (Korean: “The Palace of Flourishing Gladness”) was built in 1483 by King Seongjong, on the site where a previous palace called Suganggung used to stand. It was used as a residential area for queens, concubines, princesses and female attendants as the neighbouring Changdeokgung was not big enough to accommodate them all.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the Japanese converted thr Changgyeonggung into a zoo and botanical park, but in the 1980s, the Korean government relocated both of them and has since made ongoing efforts to restore the palace to its former self before the Japanese arrived.
The earliest structure in the palace that has survived since it was first built is the Okcheongyo bridge. Built in 1483, the stone bridge has lotus flowers and goblins carved on it to ward off evil spirits. Myeongjeongjeon, the main hall, is only one storey high. Of the five palaces, it is also the oldest main buildings.
The Changgyeonggung is right next to Changdeokgung, and visitors often visit these two palaces one after the other.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the Japanese converted thr Changgyeonggung into a zoo and botanical park, but in the 1980s, the Korean government relocated both of them and has since made ongoing efforts to restore the palace to its former self before the Japanese arrived.
The earliest structure in the palace that has survived since it was first built is the Okcheongyo bridge. Built in 1483, the stone bridge has lotus flowers and goblins carved on it to ward off evil spirits. Myeongjeongjeon, the main hall, is only one storey high. Of the five palaces, it is also the oldest main buildings.
The Changgyeonggung is right next to Changdeokgung, and visitors often visit these two palaces one after the other.
Deoksugung
The Deoksugung (Korean: “The Palace of Virtuous Longevity”) has probably the most humble history out of the five temples. It was original Prince Wolsan’s residence, but after the Imjin wars in the late 16th century, when the Koreans fought the Japanese, all the existing temples were destroyed, and the Deoksugung became a temporary palace until the Changdeogung had completed rebuilding works in 1611.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the Japanese converted the palace into a park. They also reduced the size of the palace so that today, only one-third of the original palace space remains.
Don’t miss walking along the Geumcheongyo Bridge, the oldest surviving bridge in Seoul, which was built in 1411, which leads from the outside to the inside of the palace. What is interesting about the palace is that it also includes two buildings, the Jeonggwanheon and Seokjojeon, designed in Western architecture style. Be sure to visit these too.
The Deoksugung palace is located at the heart of the Seoul city centre. It is the only one out of the five palaces which can be assessed latest at 8pm.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the Japanese converted the palace into a park. They also reduced the size of the palace so that today, only one-third of the original palace space remains.
Don’t miss walking along the Geumcheongyo Bridge, the oldest surviving bridge in Seoul, which was built in 1411, which leads from the outside to the inside of the palace. What is interesting about the palace is that it also includes two buildings, the Jeonggwanheon and Seokjojeon, designed in Western architecture style. Be sure to visit these too.
The Deoksugung palace is located at the heart of the Seoul city centre. It is the only one out of the five palaces which can be assessed latest at 8pm.
Gyeonghuigung
The Gyeonghuigung (Korean: “The Palace of Peace and Harmony”) was built in the 1600s, during the reign of King Gwanghaegun. It served as a secondary palace for the king. Originally, it comprised a total of around one hundred buildings, but many of these were removed during the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, and the castle complexes were used as a school for Japanese schoolchildren.
In 1980, 35 years after the Japanese left, the government declared Gyeonghuigung palace site a historically significant site, but unfortunately, subsequent attempts to restore Gyeonghuigung to its previously grandiose sights were not very successful, partly due to its many years of neglect as well as urban development works around the castle. As a result, it is much smaller compared to the other four palaces mentioned in this article.
Despite this, the buildings that remain include the Sungjeongjeon, which is the main hall of the palace. Also still there is the Jajeongjeon, where the King lived. After visiting Gyeonghuigung, you could also take a trip to the Seoul History Museum, which is quite near the palace.
To get to Gyeonghuigung, it is a 10-minute walk away from Seodaemun Station (Exit 4).
Related Article : Enjoy autumn nights at royal palaces
In 1980, 35 years after the Japanese left, the government declared Gyeonghuigung palace site a historically significant site, but unfortunately, subsequent attempts to restore Gyeonghuigung to its previously grandiose sights were not very successful, partly due to its many years of neglect as well as urban development works around the castle. As a result, it is much smaller compared to the other four palaces mentioned in this article.
Despite this, the buildings that remain include the Sungjeongjeon, which is the main hall of the palace. Also still there is the Jajeongjeon, where the King lived. After visiting Gyeonghuigung, you could also take a trip to the Seoul History Museum, which is quite near the palace.
To get to Gyeonghuigung, it is a 10-minute walk away from Seodaemun Station (Exit 4).
Related Article : Enjoy autumn nights at royal palaces