Deoksugung Palace

What to see at Deoksugung Palace

Daehanmun Gate

Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace. Located in the east, it became the main entrance of the palace after the completion of Hwangudan Altar (Wongudan Altar). The original main gate was Inhwamun. In 1970, it was moved to the west because of the nearby expansion of Taepyeong-no Street.

The Changing of the Guard Ceremony occurs directly in front of the gate at 11:00 and 14:00, Tuesday to Sunday. Ceremonies can be canceled because of bad weather or nearby rallies.

Just past the gate is Geumcheongyo Bridge, one of the bridges in Seoul.

Geumcheongyo Bridge

Geumcheongyo Bridge is located just past Daehanmun Gate on the grounds of Deoksugung. The bridge was excavated and restored in 1986.

Those who enter through the main gate cross over a stream, a common sight at other palaces in Seoul. Crossing the stream symbolizes purifying oneself before entering.

Junghwamun Gate

Junghwamun Gate is the inner gate of Deoksugung and the main gate of Junghwajeon Hall. The gate, along with Junghwajeon, were rebuilt in 1906 after being destroyed by a fire making it one of the last structures built during the Joseon Dynasty.

A courtyard just past the gate was the location of state ceremonies. Stones indicate and mark where officials would stand based by rank. Those standing closest to the king were officials of high ranking.

Jeonggwanheon Pavilion

Located on the hill of the rear garden is Jeonggwanheon Pavilion. The pavilion was used for banquets for foreign visitors when they visited the palace. The building was constructed around 1900 by A.I. Sabatin, a Russian architect. He was influenced both by Korean and Western designs.

The design features Romanesque style colonnades that surround the perimeter of the building. The columns are made of imitation stone.

Verandas can be found on three sides of the building, on the west, east, and south. Wooden columns on the verandas are decorated with dragons, bats, and vases. These decorations are quite common Korean motifs.

Gojong enjoyed drinking coffee at the pavilion when he was at the palace.

Junmyeongdang Hall

Junmyeongdang Hall was where King Gojong handled palace and state affairs during his reign. He also welcomed honored guests and foreign officials here. The original structure, along with Jeukjodang, was destroyed by fire in 1904. The hall was rebuilt in 1905.

In 1916, Emperor Gwangmu established the Deoksu Palace Kindergarten here for his daughter Princess Deokhye. Young girls from noble families attended the kindergarten at the palace.

After Gojong’s death in 1919, portraits of himself and Sunjong were enshrined in the hall.

Junmyeongdang Hall is connected to Jeukjodang Hall by a narrow corridor.

Jeukjodang Hall

Jeukjodang Hall is where King Gwanghaegun (1608) and King Injo (1623) were crowned as kings. Its name means “house where kings ascended their throne.” Gwanghaegun reigned from 1608 to 1623 while Injo reigned from 1623 to 1649. The original structure, along with Junmyeongdang, was destroyed by fire in 1904. They were both rebuilt in 1905.

The sign in front of the hall was written in 1905 by King Gojong. Gojong was the twenty sixth Joseon Dynasty King and ruled from 1863 to 1907.

Seogeodang Hall

Seogeodang Hall is an ordinary and plain two story wooden house where King Seonjo lived and died. He was the 14th Joseon king and ruled from 1567 to 1608. The design is ordinary without decorations or paint, which is similar to houses at the time.

The hall features a two tiered roof, the only one at the Deoksugung Palace. The building resembles a typical private residence during the Joseon Dynasty.

During King Gwanghaegun’s reign, Queen Inmok, the wife of King Seonjo, was confined here.

In 1623, many of the buildings and land in the area were returned to their original owners. This hall and Jeukjodang were not sold and later preserved.

In 1904, this building, along with Junmyeongdang and Jeukjodang, were destroyed by a fire. They were later rebuilt.

Junghwajeon Hall

Junghwajeon Hall is the main throne hall at Deoksugung Palace. Jeukjodang Hall originally served as the throne hall until Junghwajeon was built to the south. When the hall was built in 1902 it featured a two tiered roof. In 1904, it was damaged by a fire. It was rebuilt two years later with a single level roof as seen today.

Inside the building is a painting called Irwoloakdo. It features the sun, moon, and five mountains. This painting symbolizes the wish of the Korean people for their emperor to be prosperous forever. Dragons seen on the roof symbolize total authority of the emperor.

The haenggak outside of the hall was also rebuilt. A haenggak is a small roofed structure that served as storage or for shelter for workers at the palace. Only part of the haenggak remains today.

The two tiered stone terrace located outside of the building is known as a woldae. This feature is common of traditional royal residence architecture and can also be seen at Jongmyo Shrine.

Gwangmyeongmun Gate

Gwangmyeongmun Gate is the main gate of Hamnyeongjeon Hall, where the king resided. The gate resembles a pavilion.

In 1938, during the occupation, the Japanese moved the gate near Seokjojeon Hall. At this time, the hall was being expanded. The gate was returned to its original position in 2018.

The gate was formerly used to display a water clock, bell, and cannon. The water clock, which is automatic striking, is known as Jagyeokru. The bell, forged in 1462 during the Joseon Dynasty, is from Heungcheonsa Temple. The cannon, which can be wheeled, uses gunpowder and can fire 100 arrows at the same time.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung

Seokjojeon Hall

Seokjojeon Hall, built in 1910, is a Western style building used as an audience hall and sleeping quarters of King Gojong and later as an art museum. The architectural style is 19th century neoclassical, with ionic style colonnades, and a triangular roof. This is very unique to Korea and interesting compared to other buildings at Deoksugung.

In 1938, the west wing of the building was expanded. During the expansion, a garden and fountain were constructed in front and Gwangmyeongmun Gate was moved nearby.

Deokhongjeon Hall

Deokhongjeon Hall is where King Gojong met with high ranking and foreign envoys and other officials. Construction on the building was completed in 1911. The hall is one of the newest structures at the palace.

Deokhongjeon Hall was built on the former site of Gyeonghyojeon, the spirit hall of Empress Myeongseong.

The outside of the hall is designed with traditional Korean architecture while the design on the inside of the hall is Western style. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling inside. The building was retrofitted with electricity which was quite rare at the time.

Just nearby is Hamnyeongjeon Hall.