Hightlight
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Accessible
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Autumn Foliage
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Photographer's Choice
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Snow Destination
Travel Map: Seoul
The Secret Garden | 창덕궁 후원
The royal garden hidden behind Changdeokgung Palace
Introduction
Also Called Huwon (후원), the garden behind Changdeokgung was the private retreat of the Joseon royal family. Pavilions, ponds, centuries-old trees, and hilly paths. Guided tour only.
Worth Visiting?
A must if you are visiting Changdeokgung. Some people come to the palace mainly for this. The garden is large, wooded, and feels genuinely untouched. Buyongji Pond with the pavilion reflected in the water is one of the most photographed scenes in Seoul, and it looks even better in person.
You need to join a guided tour (about 90 minutes), so it is not something you can rush through. That is part of what makes it good. The pace is slow and the group moves together, which keeps the garden quiet.
Autumn foliage season is peak. The colors around the pond are stunning, but tickets sell out fast.
Highlights
Buyongji Pond | 부용지
The centerpiece of the garden. A square pond (symbolizing earth) with a round island (symbolizing heaven). Buyongjeong Pavilion sits at the edge. This is the shot you have seen in every photo of the garden.
Aeryeonji Pond | 애련지
A smaller, quieter pond surrounded by trees. Less crowded than Buyongji even during the tour. The lotus flowers bloom in summer.
Yeongyeongdang | 연경당
A residential-style building where the king would host private gatherings in a more relaxed setting. Built to look like a scholar’s house rather than a palace.
Ongnyucheon | 옥류천
A stream area deep in the garden with carved rock channels where the king and scholars would float cups of wine and compose poetry. One of the most atmospheric spots on the tour.
Local Tips
- Book online at royal.khs.go.kr as early as possible. 50 spots are available online, 50 on-site first come first served. Autumn weekends sell out days in advance.
- English tours run at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and 15:30 (one fewer in winter). The tour is about 90 minutes.
- You need a Changdeokgung Palace ticket (KRW 3,000) to enter the garden. The garden ticket (KRW 5,000) is additional.
- Allow 15-20 minutes to walk from the palace main gate to the garden entrance. Arrive at the palace well before your tour time.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The paths are hilly, uneven, and long.
- The Moonlight Tour (달빛기행) runs in spring and autumn evenings. A nighttime walk through the palace and garden. Tickets go through a lottery system on Ticketlink. If you can get one, it is a special experience.
Getting There
Enter through Changdeokgung Palace. See the Changdeokgung Palace guide for directions.
Practical Info
Secret Garden English Tours
| Period | Times |
|---|---|
| Mar – Nov | 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30 |
| Dec – Feb | 10:30, 11:30, 14:30 |
100 people per session. Reserve at royal.khs.go.kr.
Admission
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Garden (additional to palace ticket) | KRW 5,000 |
| Under 18 (foreign) / Under 24 (Korean) | Free |
| 65+ | Free |
Key Info
| | |
|---|---|
| Access | Guided tour only, inside Changdeokgung Palace |
| Tour Duration | About 90 minutes |
| Best Season | Autumn foliage (late October – early November) |
| Reservation | royal.khs.go.kr |
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