Changgyeong Palace or Changgyeonggung is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. Originally built in the early 15th century as Suganggung by King Sejong, the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, for his father, Taejong, as the Summer Palace of the Goryeo King.
I went here at 11:54 a.m. KST on January 15, 2014. This was during my first time in South Korea, the second country on my list.
Myeongjeongjeon Area of Changgyeonggung Palace
Suganggung
In 1418, King Sejong constructed the palace, known at the time as Suganggung, to house his father, Taejong.
Changgyeong Palace
In 1483 King Seongjong renovated and enlarged Suganggung to house three dowager queens. During this time it received its current name, Changgyeong Palace.
Changgyeongwon
During the Japanese Occupation, the Japanese deprived Changgyeong Palace of its status as a palace and made it a resort with a zoo and botanical gardens. They renamed it Changgyeongwon (Changgyeong Garden), downgrading it from Changgyeonggung (Changgyeong Palace).
Donggwol
Changgyeong actually comprised of one palace together with Changdeokgung Palace, and the two palaces were collectively called Donggwol, the East Palace. Th rear garden was also shared by the two palaces.
Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty
Changgyeong Palace became one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. Changgyeong Palace was the third palace compound built during the Joseon Dynasty after Gyeongbok Palace and Changdeok Palace. Many Kings preferred to stay at Changdeok Palace and the number of royal family members increased, filling the palace to its capacity. Mainly for this reason, King Seongjong had Changgyeong Palace built next to Changdeok Palace.
How to get to Changgyeon Palace
Take Seoul Subway Line 4 going to and get off at Hyehwa Station Exit 4.
Go 20m and then turn left at Seoul Jongno Pharmacy.
Go 180m and then turn left at Jeongmin Onnuri Pharmacy.
Go 200m and then turn left.
Go 60m and then cross the road to arrive at Changgyeonggung Palace.
Gallery
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- Honghwamun faces east, not south, unlike the other royal palaces.
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- Myeongjeongjeon Area of Changgyeonggung Palace
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- Myeongjeongjeon, the main hall of the palace. Unlike the main halls of other palaces, it faces east (not south) because of the terrain.
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- Haminjeong. Originally a pavilion called Inyangjeon was built here in 1484 but was burned down during the initial Japanese invasion of 1592. In 1633 King Injo ordered the Hamindang pavilion of Ingyeonggung palace (no longer extant) dismantled and moved to this site. Thus, this structure is of unknown age. It was here that kings received top winners of the national civil and military service examinations.
Changgyeonggung
185 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours
Closed every Monday
November – March: 09:00 ~ 17:30
April – October: 09:00 ~ 18:30
Last ticket sold one hour before closing.
Admission
Adults: 1,000 won
Children: 500 won
Sources: jikimi.cha.go.kr, visitkorea.or.kr, wikipedia.org