The Secret GardenClaimed by the owner

The Secret Garden is the rear garden of Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul. It was first laid out north of the palace in 1406 and later expanded to reach neighboring Changgyeonggung. Most of the garden is now open to visitors, though some sections require a guided tour to enter.

Layout and History

The garden follows the natural terrain rather than an imposed plan, with pavilions set into four valleys: Buyongji, Aeryeonji, Gwallamji, and Ongnyucheon. Much of the original garden burned down during the Imjin War in the 1590s and was rebuilt in 1610. Kings Injo, Sukjong, Jeongjo, and Sunjo, among others, continued to alter and add to it over the following centuries, shaping the garden into its present form.

Use by the Royal Court

Beyond rest and walks, the royal family used the garden for a range of activities. Kings composed poetry and held scholarly discussions there, and the grounds hosted archery and military training, fishing and boating on the ponds, flower viewing, and fireworks displays using gunpowder. The king also held banquets in the garden for the queen dowager and for relatives and officials, planted grain to take part in farming himself, and the queen performed a ceremonial silkworm-rearing rite.