Information
Landmark: Deoksugung PalaceCity: Seoul
Country: South Korea
Continent: Asia
Deoksugung Palace, Seoul, South Korea, Asia
Overview
In the heart of Seoul, Deoksugung Palace-one of the city’s five grand palaces-welcomes visitors with centuries-old stories, graceful stone halls, and gardens where tall pines whisper in the wind.Unlike any other palace in Seoul, Deoksugung pairs elegant, curved tile roofs with sturdy stone-and-brick Western halls, offering visitors a sharp glimpse of the late Joseon era as Korea first stepped into modern life.Deoksugung Palace rests near City Hall in the lively center of Seoul, where the low murmur of traffic drifts past its old stone walls.Tucked away behind tall gates in the city’s bustling center, it offers shady gardens and elegant old buildings where you can forget, for a moment, the sharp buzz of passing cars.In the late 14th century, during the Joseon Dynasty, Deoksugung Palace started as a private home, its wooden beams carrying the faint scent of pine; by the early 15th century, it had expanded into a royal palace.This place holds centuries of history-it once housed kings, including King Gojong, the last emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, who in 1897 stood beneath these same rooftops to proclaim the birth of the Korean Empire.Deoksugung Palace blends the sweeping curves of traditional Korean rooftops with dignified Western-style halls, a striking snapshot of the late 19th century, when the clatter of carriage wheels and hurried footsteps filled Korea’s streets.Here’s what you can’t miss-first up, the one that’ll stop you in your tracks.Daehanmun Gate stands as the grand entrance to Deoksugung Palace, its curved tiled roof catching the light and its painted patterns fine as brushstrokes.Visitors first step into this space, and it’s often where the guard changes-a lively ritual of sharp uniforms and precise, echoing footsteps that deepens the palace’s historic charm.At the palace’s heart, Junghwajeon Hall once echoed with solemn speeches and the soft rustle of silk robes as the most important state ceremonies and meetings unfolded.The hall shows off its traditional Korean tile roofs, dark curves glinting in the sun, while slender wooden columns lift upward in a warm, polished glow.Step inside, and you’ll see how Korean royalty once lived-silken screens glowing in soft light, polished floors underfoot-and how they went about the day’s formal affairs.Seokjojeon Hall, built in Western style, blends Korean tradition with European grace, its white stone columns glowing warmly in the late afternoon sun.During King Gojong’s reign, it stood as the royal home, greeting foreign dignitaries who crossed its cool stone courtyard before stepping inside.Graceful Renaissance arches frame the building’s exterior, and inside, the exhibition hall glows under soft light, displaying treasures from a gold crown’s delicate filigree to a scepter studded with deep green emeralds.In Sujeongjeon Hall, the king gathered with his officials, his voice low and steady while sunlight streamed over the gleaming floorboards.Hidden deep within the palace grounds, the smaller building still commands attention, its dark wooden beams and gently arched roof tiles showing the elegance of traditional Korean craftsmanship.Second place.Tucked inside Deoksugung Palace, the garden feels like a hush in the middle of the city, with narrow paths curling past towering pines, mossy stones, and sudden flashes of red and yellow blooms.Hidden from the city’s noise, this quiet haven invites you to draw in crisp, clean air, hear the soft rustle of oak leaves, and take in the beauty of nature steeped in history.In the garden, a Western-style fountain draws your gaze, water murmuring as it slips over the edge beside Seokjojeon Hall.They added the fountain during the renovation, and now its gentle splash, like rain on stone, enriches the palace grounds’ striking blend of Eastern elegance and Western style.Three-just a small, solid number, like the legs of a sturdy stool.At Deoksugung Palace, don’t miss the Changing of the Guard-bright plumes on tall hats, the low thump of drums-starting at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. The royal guards, dressed in vivid Joseon-era uniforms, march in perfect formation before the towering Daehanmun Gate, reviving a centuries-old ritual.The ceremony bursts with color and life as guards in vivid traditional uniforms stride past, swords catching the sunlight and spears raised proudly overhead.It’s a rare chance to step into a piece of Korean history, where you can watch old customs unfold-like the careful folding of silk in a tea ceremony.Fourth in line-a faint scuff of shoes on the floor marked the spot.Hidden within the palace grounds, the Deoksugung Palace Museum draws you in to trace its history-through the Joseon Dynasty, the Korean Empire, and even across the worn stone steps smoothed by centuries of passing feet.Inside the museum, you’ll find artifacts, brittle letters, and photographs with edges worn soft, each one whispering the royal family’s story and the palace’s long history.The museum hosts rotating exhibitions, offering a window into Korea’s art, culture, and changing history-maybe a painted silk scroll, its colors still vivid after more than a century.The number five stood out, bold and black, like a fresh line of ink catching the light.What stands out at Deoksugung Palace is the way its elegant Korean roofs meet the solid Western stonework, especially in the stately Seokjojeon Hall with its cool gray columns.In the late 1800s, Korea set its sights on modernization, with King Gojong blending age-old customs and Western influences-silk hanbok worn with a gleaming brass pocket watch-taking the first bold steps toward a modern, globally connected nation.Inside the palace complex, a Western-style building rises, its pale stone walls catching the afternoon light and holding the mood of that moment in history.Number six sat by itself, a tiny smudge of black tucked into the page’s corner.A few steps from Deoksugung Palace, the Seoul Museum of Art (SEMA) bursts with a rotating collection of Korean and international contemporary pieces, from bold swaths of color on canvas to gleaming, steel-cut sculptures-ideal for anyone who loves art.A few minutes’ walk from the palace, Cheonggyecheon Stream threads through downtown Seoul, its clear water catching the light beneath low stone bridges.The stream is perfect for a slow stroll, where water whispers over smooth stones and the faint hum of the city lingers behind you.Just a few minutes’ walk from here, Seoul City Hall sweeps upward in sleek arcs of glass and steel, its modern form laced with green, energy-saving touches like sunlit terraces.Rising in the center of the district, it’s a modern landmark with glassy, clean edges that cut against the rough, timeworn stone of Deoksugung Palace.Spring’s the perfect time to visit Deoksugung Palace-between April and June, when the gardens brim with pink blossoms and the air drifts warm against your skin.You can wander past bursts of bright flowers, then stop to watch the guard’s crisp, measured steps echo across the warm, open courtyard.From September to November, autumn floods the palace grounds with rich golds and deep reds, the leaves rustling softly in the crisp air.It’s the perfect day for an unhurried stroll through the palace gardens, where roses lean gently toward the warm light.From December through February, winter slows everything down-streets grow quiet, and fresh snow hushes the city’s noise.
