Changdeokgung Palace Guide: Secret Garden Tickets, Hours and Itinerary

If you want to experience royal history and a quieter side of Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace is a wonderful place to start. Its ceremonial halls, peaceful courtyards and wooded garden offer a glimpse into life at a Joseon-era palace.

Changdeokgung is especially known for the way its buildings and grounds complement the surrounding landscape. The palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, and its combination of architecture and natural scenery continues to draw visitors throughout the year.

Before you go, it helps to understand one important distinction: the palace buildings and the Secret Garden, also called Huwon, are visited separately. The garden requires its own ticket and has timed entry with a limited number of visitors.

This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit, including opening hours, ticket prices, Secret Garden reservations, highlights and a suggested itinerary.

Before you visit
During restoration work on Donhwamun Gate, Geumhomun Gate has been used as the temporary entrance. Construction and access routes may change, so check the latest official notice. If you have a Secret Garden reservation, allow plenty of time to walk from the palace entrance to the garden entrance.

1. Changdeokgung Palace Hours and How to Get There

What Makes Changdeokgung Special?

Changdeokgung offers a fascinating look at the political and daily life of Korea’s royal court. You can see spaces used for important ceremonies, halls associated with the king’s work and areas connected to palace life.

Behind the main buildings lies Huwon, the royal garden commonly known to travelers as the Secret Garden. Its ponds, pavilions, trees and winding paths make it one of the palace’s most distinctive areas.

If this is your first visit, you can enjoy the main palace grounds on their own or plan a longer trip that includes the garden. Since the two areas have different ticketing arrangements, decide which you want to see before choosing your arrival time.

Palace Opening Hours by Season

The following schedule applies to general palace admission. The Secret Garden has separate, timed entry sessions.

Period	Opening hours	Last admission
February–May and September–October	9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.	5:00 p.m.
June–August	9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m.	5:30 p.m.
November–January	9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.	4:30 p.m.

Regular closing day: Monday.
Public holidays: If the regular closing day falls on a public holiday or substitute holiday, the palace opens and closes on the next non-holiday instead.
Last admission: One hour before the general closing time.
Possible changes: Hours and access routes may be adjusted for events, weather, safety or other operational reasons.

Arriving at the last-admission time does not leave much room to explore. Allow at least an hour for the main palace grounds, and considerably longer if you plan to visit the Secret Garden as well.

How to Get to Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung is in Seoul’s Jongno-gu district. Its official address is 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

By subway: The palace area is within walking distance of Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3.
On foot: Check your map for the entrance in use on the day of your visit.
By bus: Several routes stop in the palace area; check a current route planner for the most convenient stop.
By car: Check nearby parking options and allow extra time for central Seoul traffic.

Donhwamun is Changdeokgung’s main gate, but Geumhomun has served as the temporary entrance during restoration work. Older guides may still direct you to Donhwamun, so confirm the current entrance before setting out.

Check the Latest Palace Hours

2. Palace and Secret Garden Tickets

A visit to Changdeokgung can include two different areas:

Palace grounds: The main buildings, courtyards and other areas covered by general admission.
Secret Garden: The royal garden, which has a separate ticket, scheduled entry times and a visitor limit.

To reach the garden, you must pass through the palace grounds. That means you need both palace admission and a Secret Garden ticket. If you qualify for free palace admission, bring the required proof and follow the official entry instructions.

Admission Prices

Area	Visitor	Individual price	Notes
Palace grounds	Korean visitors aged 25–64	₩3,000	Standard individual admission
Palace grounds	Foreign visitors aged 19–64	₩3,000	Age criteria differ from those for Korean visitors
Secret Garden	Visitors aged 19 and older	₩5,000	The standard garden fee also applies to visitors aged 65 and older
Secret Garden	Visitors aged 7–18	₩2,500	Check palace admission separately
Secret Garden	Children aged 6 and under	Free	Check any age-verification requirements

For example, a foreign visitor aged 19–64 paying the standard individual rates would normally pay ₩8,000 in total: ₩3,000 for the palace grounds and ₩5,000 for the Secret Garden.

Free admission, discounts and special-event rules can change the amount you pay. Check the current official fee guide and bring any required proof of eligibility.

A useful distinction
Free admission to the palace grounds does not automatically mean free entry to the Secret Garden. For example, visitors aged 65 and older are generally eligible for free palace admission but still pay the standard garden fee, unless another specific exemption applies.

How to Buy a Palace Admission Ticket

You can purchase general palace admission on site. According to the official guidance, there is no admission limit for the main palace grounds. Advance online booking is also available, and visitors who book ahead can use a mobile ticket.

Visitors eligible for free or discounted admission, and holders of an integrated palace pass, should follow the official instructions and bring the appropriate proof or pass.

Wearing a qualifying hanbok may make you eligible for free general palace admission, subject to the official clothing guidelines. However, this does not automatically include the Secret Garden ticket.

Is the Integrated Palace Pass Worth Considering?

If you plan to visit several royal sites, compare individual admission fees with the Integrated Palace Ticket. The official guide lists the pass at ₩6,000, with one visit each to the four major palaces and Jongmyo Shrine within six months of purchase.

The pass does not include Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden. You will still need a separate garden ticket. Check the latest conditions and refund rules before purchasing.

3. How to Reserve Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden

Huwon is a royal garden filled with ponds, pavilions and wooded paths. Unlike general palace admission, garden entry is limited to scheduled sessions, each with a set number of visitors.

If the Secret Garden is a priority for your Seoul trip, check availability early—especially during the popular spring and autumn seasons.

Booking Online: Step by Step

Choose your date. Check the palace closing day and any notices affecting garden access.
Check when booking opens. Online reservations begin at 10:00 a.m. six days before the visit date, excluding the visit date itself, and remain available until the day before the visit, subject to availability.
Choose a session and number of visitors. Check the session language and any eligibility rules.
Reserve the garden ticket. If you qualify for a discount or exemption, review the booking page’s proof and refund instructions.
Arrange palace admission. Garden visitors also need general palace admission, unless eligible for free entry or using an accepted palace pass.
Save your confirmation. Review how to present your reservation and check the cancellation conditions.

For example, if you want to visit on a Saturday, booking normally opens at 10:00 a.m. on the preceding Sunday. Booking windows and rules can change, so follow the details shown on the official reservation page.

Tickets can sell out quickly in April–May and October–November. If you have a fixed travel date, note the booking time in advance and consider a backup session.

Can You Buy Secret Garden Tickets on the Day?

Yes. According to the official guide, same-day tickets are sold on site from 9:00 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis.

The standard published capacity is 100 visitors per session: 50 online reservations and 50 on-site tickets. If the on-site allocation sells out, you will not be able to enter that session without a valid reservation.

Online booking: Opens six days before the visit at 10:00 a.m. and closes the day before, subject to availability.
On-site tickets: Sold from 9:00 a.m. on the day of the visit.
Same-day online booking: Not available under the published guidance.
Ticket limits: Individual booking limits may apply; check the reservation page.
Busy seasons: Both online and on-site tickets can sell out quickly.

If online tickets are gone, you can try for the on-site allocation, but there is no guarantee that your preferred session will be available. Traveling with a flexible schedule gives you more options.

How Early Should You Arrive?

Your reservation time is for the Secret Garden entrance, not the main palace entrance. The official guide says the walk from Geumhomun Gate to the garden entrance takes at least 15 minutes.

The palace recommends entering the grounds at least 20 minutes before your garden session. During busy periods, it is sensible to arrive around an hour early to allow for queues, ticket checks and the walk through the palace.

Do not miss your entry time
Official guidance states that visitors who do not arrive on time may be unable to enter or receive a refund. Plan to be at the Secret Garden entrance before your reserved session begins.

Guided Tours and Language Sessions

Secret Garden entry is organized by timed sessions. The official FAQ says visitors may join the guide’s interpretation or explore independently within the areas open to visitors. You must still enter at your scheduled time and remain within permitted areas.

Sessions are offered in different languages, including English. Language and eligibility rules apply, so choose carefully when booking. The official guide notes that Korean visitors generally cannot enter foreign-language sessions unless accompanying a foreign visitor, with up to two Korean companions permitted.

Expect some slopes and uneven paths in the garden. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. If you use a wheelchair or stroller, contact the palace in advance about the route and areas accessible during your visit.

View Secret Garden Reservations

4. What to See and a Suggested Changdeokgung Itinerary

You do not need to memorize every building name to appreciate Changdeokgung. Think of the palace in terms of its different roles: ceremonial spaces, places for royal work, living areas and the garden.

① Injeongjeon Hall: The Main Ceremonial Hall

Injeongjeon is Changdeokgung’s main throne hall, where important state ceremonies took place. Its broad courtyard and imposing architecture give visitors a sense of the formality of royal occasions.

Look for the stone markers in the courtyard, which indicate the ranks and positions of officials during ceremonies. Take in the hall together with its gates, courtyard and roofline to appreciate how the entire space was arranged.

Interior access may vary depending on maintenance, events or special openings, so follow the signs on site.

② Seonjeongjeon and Huijeongdang: Spaces for Royal Work

Seonjeongjeon was a hall where the king discussed state affairs with officials. Compared with the grand ceremonial setting of Injeongjeon, it provides a different perspective on the day-to-day work of government.

Huijeongdang was also used as a place for the king’s work. As you walk between the buildings, notice how the courtyards, roofs and surrounding spaces give each area a distinct character.

③ Nakseonjae: A Quieter Palace Setting

The Nakseonjae area offers a more intimate atmosphere. Take time to look at the walls, wooden doors and windows, and the lines of the buildings.

The view can change as you move through the area, so pause and look back from different angles. Not every space is always open; follow the current signs and designated visitor route.

④ The Secret Garden: Ponds, Pavilions and Trees

If you have a garden ticket, you may see areas including Buyongji Pond and Juhamnu Pavilion, depending on the route open during your session. The relationship between water, architecture and the surrounding trees is one of the garden’s defining pleasures.

Each season brings a different view: fresh leaves and blossoms in spring, deep greenery in summer, autumn colors, and more open views through bare branches in winter. Foliage and accessible areas depend on the weather, season and maintenance schedule.

Suggested Routes for First-Time Visitors

Visit style	Suggested route	Estimated time
Palace highlights	Entrance → Injeongjeon area → Seonjeongjeon and Huijeongdang → Nakseonjae area	About 1–1.5 hours
Palace and garden	Main palace areas → walk to the garden entrance → reserved garden session	About 2–3 hours or more, including walking and waiting
Leisurely visit	Explore the palace, check guided options and continue to a nearby neighborhood	Around half a day

These are planning estimates. Photography, guided tours, queues and the areas open on the day can all affect your schedule. If you have a Secret Garden reservation, plan the rest of your visit around that entry time so you do not have to rush.

Seasonal Tips and Nearby Places

Spring: Bring a light layer for changing temperatures and reserve the garden early during popular weeks.
Summer: Prepare for heat and sun with water, a hat and breaks in the shade.
Autumn: Foliage season can be busy, so allow extra time for entry and walking.
Winter: Dress warmly and choose shoes suitable for potentially slippery paths.

After your visit, you can continue toward the Anguk Station area or Insadong for a meal and a stroll. If you also plan to visit neighboring Changgyeonggung Palace, check the connection hours through Hamyangmun Gate and the admission rules for each palace.

You cannot enter Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden directly from Changgyeonggung. Garden visitors must follow the separate reservation and entry process.

5. Practical Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

What to Bring

Much of a palace visit takes place outdoors, so prepare for the weather and give yourself time to walk between areas.

Reservation confirmation: Save your Secret Garden date, session time and ticket details.
Proof of eligibility: Bring the required documents if you qualify for free or discounted admission.
Comfortable shoes: Expect stone surfaces and some sloping or uneven paths.
Weather essentials: Pack water, a hat or an extra layer as appropriate for the season.
Respect for the site: Stay out of restricted areas and help protect the palace and garden.
Photography awareness: Avoid blocking walkways or interrupting guides and other visitors.

Visitors using a wheelchair or stroller can check the accessible-route information near the entrance. Conditions vary by area, and parts of the garden may be difficult to navigate. Contact the palace in advance if you need to confirm a specific route or assistance.

Q1. Can I visit the Secret Garden without an advance reservation?

A. You can try to buy a same-day ticket on site from 9:00 a.m., but each session has a limited capacity and tickets may sell out. You also need valid admission to the main palace grounds.

Q2. Is the Secret Garden free if I wear hanbok?

A. Qualifying hanbok wearers may be eligible for free admission to the palace grounds under the official guidelines, but this does not automatically include the Secret Garden. Check the current garden fee and reservation rules separately.

Q3. Can I arrive at the palace entrance at my garden reservation time?

A. No. Your reservation time refers to entry at the Secret Garden entrance inside the palace grounds. The walk from the palace entrance takes at least 15 minutes, so enter the palace at least 20 minutes before your session—and earlier when it is busy.

Final Thoughts

Changdeokgung is a rewarding place to slow down and explore Seoul’s royal history. The main palace grounds offer plenty to see, from the formal courtyard of Injeongjeon to the quieter atmosphere around Nakseonjae.

If you have the time, the Secret Garden adds another dimension to the visit. Decide whether you want to see it before finalizing your plans, then arrange the rest of your itinerary around your reserved entry time.

Opening hours, ticket rules, entrances and accessible areas may change because of restoration, events or weather. Check the official information shortly before you go, particularly for the entrance in use during the Donhwamun restoration.

이 블로그 검색

Hang : Korea Made Simple