Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

14.9Km 2025-01-17

99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace was the second royal villa built following the construction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1405. It was the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces. The palace grounds are comprised of a public palace area, a royal family residence building, and the rear garden. Known as a place of rest for the kings, the rear garden boasts a gigantic tree that is over 300 years old, a small pond and a pavilion.

The palace gained importance starting from the time of Seongjong, the 9th king of Joseon, when a number of kings began using it as a place of residence. Unfortunately, the palace was burned down by angry citizens in 1592 when the royal family fled their abode during the Imjin War. Thanks to Gwanghaegun, the palace was restored in 1611. Even today, it houses a number of cultural treasures, such as Injeongjeon Hall, Daejojeon Hall, Seonjeongjeon Hall, and Nakseonjae Hall.

Changdeokgung Palace’s garden behind the inner hall, called the "Secret Garden," was constructed during the reign of King Taejong and served as a rest area for the royal family members. The garden had formerly been called Bugwon and Geumwon, but was renamed Biwon Garden, or Secret Garden, after King Gojong came into power. The garden was kept as natural as possible and was touched by human hands only when absolutely necessary. Buyongjeong Pavilion, Buyongji Pond, Juhamnu Pavilion, Eosumun Gate, Yeonghwadang Hall, Bullomun Gate, Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, and Yeongyeongdang Hall are some of the many attractions that occupy the garden. The most beautiful time to see the garden is during the fall when the autumn foliage is at its peak and the leaves have just started to fall.

Though it has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, Changdeokgung Palace and its complex was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997 during the committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

Let's Jongno Festival (종로축제 렛츠종로)

14.9Km 2023-09-19

84 Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-4746-1773 / +82-70-4600-5719

Let's Jongno Festival is comprised of nine smaller festivals themed on traditional culture taking place throughout the Jongno district in October. Both local residents and visitors from near and far are invited to participate in the many activities. The festival kicks off with Jongno Culture Night during the first week of the month, followed by Gugak-ro Road Festa, Donghwamun-ro Road Culture Festival, and K-Jewelry Festival the second week; Jongno Hanbok Festival, Bukchon Craft Studio Festival, and Traditional Food Festival the third week.

Samdaein [Tax Refund Shop] (삼대인)

14.9Km 2024-04-16

1F, #101, 301, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Pajeongjip (파전집)

14.9Km 2021-04-13

27, Donhwamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-6763

A great store to visit on a rainy day. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is assorted savory pancakes.

Neungnabapsang (능라밥상)

14.9Km 2021-03-22

42, Donhwamun-ro, 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-9905

A place where you can taste North Korean traditional dishes run by a chef who was a North Korean defector. This restaurant's signature menu is boiled meat platter. This North Korean cuisine restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Cheese Industry (치즈인더스트리[치즈공업사])

14.9Km 2023-08-22

33-7 , Supyo-ro 28-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Cheese Industry is a ranch-themed cafe decorated with moving wooden cows grazing on grass. The cafe specializes in cheese, selling a wide range of handmade cheese and baked goods.

Myeongdongjeong Royal Cuisine Restaurant (명동정)

14.9Km 2024-03-12

1F, 299, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-5132

Located on Myeongdong Street, Myeongdongjeong Royal Cuisine Restaurant serves Korean traditional dishes. They offer Korean traditional dishes that were once prepared for Korean royalty and nobility, using premium ingredients such as blue crab, abalone, beef, shrimp, and pumpkin. Their Korean table d'hote menus feature youngran sang (weekday lunch special), myeongdong jeongsik (bulgogi and other traditional dishes), gwibin sang (abalone & beef rib stew with traditional various dishes), and haesin sang (high-quality seafood dishes). With various rooms and halls, the venue also has space for organizing simple parties.

Chowonui jip (초원의집)

14.9Km 2021-03-24

299, Samil-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-5666

It is a Korean food specialty store that has been around for over 15 years now. This restaurant's signature menu is soy sauce marinated crab. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

SAEWHA HOSTEL(세화호스텔)

14.9Km 2024-06-20

50 , Samil-daero 32ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-3780-5988

Located in Jongno, in the heart of Seoul, Saehwa Hostel offers a variety of guest rooms, including ondol rooms and bedrooms, for up to 3 people. There’s a bathtub in each room. Shared PCs, massage chairs, microwave ovens, washing machines and dryers are all available free of charge. A simple free breakfast is provided, plus a free international phone service and a foreign language guidance service. Seoul Station is 15 minutes away by subway, and the airport limousine bus stops at Jongno 3-ga station. Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and downtown shopping streets are all reachable on foot.

Olive Young - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 이태원입구)

14.9Km 2024-04-18

1F, 145, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Changdeokgung Palace Complex [UNESCO World Heritage Site] (창덕궁과 후원 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) - Area information - Korea travel information