Did you know that Seoul has not one, not two, not three, nor even four palaces? There are five palaces found throughout the city. The likelihood is that you’ll end up visiting one of them, many visitors end up facing the dilemma of whether or not to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace or Changdeokgung Palace.
If you have time, or are a big Korean history buff, you’ll want to visit all five palaces in Seoul. The five grand palaces are:
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Changgyeongung Palace
- Gyeonghuigung Palace
- Deoksugung Palace
The palaces are all located around the center of Seoul.
However, most people end up visiting only one or two of these palaces. After all, there is so much to see and do in Seoul that you may be hard pressed for time to squeeze it all in.
So when it comes down to it, it may be a choice between visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace and
Changdeokgung Palace, the two most popular grand palaces in Seoul.
Which should you choose? Here’s a guide to help you decide which one of the two you’d like to put on your itinerary.
Gyeongbokgung Palace vs Changdeokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of the palaces in Seoul. It is also referred to as the Northern Palace because of its location within Seoul and was built during the Joseon dynasty.
It was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592 to 1598) and abandoned for two centuries before being restored by Prince Regent Heungseong in 1867, only to be destroyed again during the Japanese occupation. It has since been restored again.
The main entrance to the palace is through the impressive Gwanghwamun Gate. Highlights within the palace include the Geunjeongjeon or the Imperial Throne Hall) and the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, both original buildings from the 19th century.
A popular activity when visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace is to watch the changing of the guard, dressed up in ancient dress, at Gwanghwamun Gate. This takes place at several times a day.
Within Gyeongbokgung Palace are two museums. Entry to the museums are free.
The National Palace Museum of Korea features artifacts and treasure from the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. These include royal symbols and scholarly works. It provides a look at the inner workings of the palaces and how the royal family lived.
If the National Palace Museum of Korea is about the royal family, the National Folk Museum of Korea is about the everyday people of Korea. The museum has exhibits that recount the history of the Korean people, including a look at a typical year through the seasons and the major milestones and life events of the ordinary Korean person.
As the Gyeongbokgung Palace is the main palace, you can expect crowds when visiting the palace. Thankfully, the palace is huge. Away from the main buildings, you will find plenty of space where you can enjoy a leisurely wander through nature or amidst the wooden buildings.
A tip would be to arrive early to avoid the crowds. However, take note that museums open slightly later than the palace. You can choose to visit the palace grounds first and stop by the museums on the way out.
There are also free tours in various languages held throughout the day.
Visit the Gyeongbokgung Palace website.
Changdeokgung Palace
Changdeokgung Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the home of kings for the longest period of time. It is smaller than Gyeongbokgung Palace and also unique as it is built into the slopes of the Ungbong Peak of Mount Baegaksan, unlike the former which is built on flat ground. The official and residential buildings of the palace have been adapted to the site’s uneven topography.
Even though Changdeokgung was the secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung for 200 years, after the palaces were burnt down during the Japanese invasion of the late 16th century, it was the first to be reconstructed. It was then used as the palace of the dynasty for 250 years.
It reflects the development of Korean architecture, garden design and landscaping.
The Changdeokgung Palace is best known for its Biwon or Secret Garden hidden within the palace walls. This was a private garden for royalty and can now be visited by the public. However, it is required to join a private tour to visit the Secret Garden.
You can expect fewer crowds at Changdeokgung Palace as compared to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Visit the Changdeokgung Palace website.
Which to Visit?
If we were visiting Seoul for the first time and only had time to visit one of the two palaces, we would visit Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is centrally located and close to other popular sights like Bukchon Hanok Village and the Baek In-je House Museum, Gwanghwamun Square, and Tongin Market. You can also view the changing of the guard if you arrive at the right time.
These factors make Gyeongbokgung Palace our choice of palaces to visit if we only have limited time.
If you enjoyed this story, you may also enjoy reading our tips for your visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
