Deoksugung Palace

Gwangmyeongmun Gate

Tucked away in a busy corner of Seoul is Deoksugung Palace, where you can find refuge from the neon lights and the endless stream of cars. This was the main palace of King Gojong during the last days of the Korean monarchy. Because Deoksgugung took a lot of damage during the Japanese colonial rule, only a third of its structures can be seen today.  

 

Ceremony at the main gate, Daehanmun

Even if you have not been inside the palace before, you might have seen the ceremony at Daehanmun, the main gate, which takes place three times a day. The changing of the royal guards is done in remembrance of the time when the palace was occupied by the royal family. Admission for the palace is currently ￦1,000 per person.  

The main hall, Jungwhajeon

As the smallest among the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul, Deoksugung was often used as a temporary residence for kings. King Seonjo resided here when all the other palaces in Seoul were burned down due to the Imjin Wars. Deoksugung was called other names in the past, such as Hyeongungung and Gyeongungung, before it became known as what it is today. 

Seokjojeon, the building designed by a British architect

The transformation that Korea has gone through can be witnessed through the buildings that remain inside this palace. What makes Deoksugung different from the other palaces is that two of its buildings were designed in European style. These buildings were built in the early 20th century, shortly before the last king of the Korean monarchy, King Gojong, passed away. 

Volunteer tour guides from Youth Cultural Corps giving a tourist a tour

As a coordinator for the Youth Cultural Corps, a non-profit organization with a focus on Korean history, I visit Deoksugung quite a lot. My job is to help students match with tourists who want to receive a free tour. Deoksugung is one of the palaces that the Youth Cultural Corps visits on the weekends, along with Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung. 

To come here, take line no. 1 or 2 and get off at City Hall. It should take you no longer than five minutes to reach the entrance of the palace. 

Youth Cultural Corps Volunteer Guide Service

Place	Gyeongbokgung Palace	Namsan Hanok Village	Deoksugung Palace	Seoul Education Museum in Bukchon Hanok Village	Changdeokgung Palace	Seodaemun Prison History Museum	Amsa Prehistory Settlement Site
Time	10:00 ~ 11:50	10:00 ~ 11:50	10:00 ~ 11:50	10:00 ~ 13:00	10:00 ~ 12:00	10:00 ~ 12:00	10:00 ~ 13:00
	12:00 ~ 15:50	12:00 ~ 15:50	12:00 ~ 15:50	13:00 ~ 16:00	13:00 ~ 15:00	13:00 ~ 15:00	13:00 ~ 16:00
Date	-Every Sat. & Sun.			-2nd & 4th Sat. -Every Sun.	-2nd & 4th Sat.	-1st & 3rd Sat.	-Every Sun