Deoksugung, also known as Deoksu Palace, envelops a complex of 13 main buildings in the heart of Seoul’s Capital just steps away from the City Hall Station. Deoksugung is part of the Five Palaces of Seoul and served as the private living chamber of the royal family from the Joseon era until the end of the 19th century.
Emerging from the tragic destruction during the Japanese invasion, Deoksugung today is still going strong, excellently preserving one-third of the original architecture.
In this article, I’ll be sharing the best way to get there and how to plan your visit around in the most enjoyable way. More on that is below.
How To Get To Deoksugung Palace?
The metro line 1 and 2 will connect you to the City Hall Station. Head out for a short walk within 5 minutes to the main gate of the palace.
Deoksugung Ticket Information
- Opening hours: 9:00 – 21:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
- The last admission is at 20:00.
- The daily Changing of the Guard Ceremony takes place at 11:00, 14:00, and 15:30 at the main entrance gate.
- The entrance ticket is KRW 1,000 won for adults unless you visit on Seoul’s Cultural Day which falls on the last Wednesday of every month.
To save more on your visit, consider obtaining the Seoul Pass which comes in handy for those planning to cover multiple attractions in one go, which includes:
- Deoksugung Palace
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Changdeokgung Palace Complex
- Changgyeonggung Palace
- Seodaemun Prison History Museum
- Leeum
- Samsung Museum of Art
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Namsan Seoul Tower
- COEX Aquarium, and more.
My Favorite Things To See In And Near Deoksugung Palace
Junghwajeon Main Hall
Serving as the beacon for major events and business meetings, Junghwajeon is the largest and most visited hall at the palace. Junghwajeon once had two stories before it was converted into a one-story building in the early 20th century.
The most impressive thing to see here is a series of stone plages lining up on both sides of the courtyard. The plagues represent high-ranking civil and military officials serving the king during the great date meetings.
Seokjojeon
Seokjojeon is such a marvelous surprise to add to the visit steeped in a typical European design mapped out by the British architect Harding. Seokjojeon sets itself apart from other traditional Korean buildings at the palace thanks to its multifunctional uses.
The first floor was used as a waiting lounge for the servants while the second floor turned into a reception lobby. Meanwhile, the last floor on top served as the private living chamber of King Gojong. On the right side of the building is now the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA).
Deoksugung Stone-wall Road
Dubbed one of the most popular spots to see fall foliage in Seoul during autumn, Deoksugung Stone-wall Road is just across the street from the main gate of the palace. 20 benches and 130 trees embrace the flat-paved streets, turning it into a romantic getaway.
Little do you know that there’s a flea market held each year from September to November on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The market is open half a day from 11 am until 18:00 with a huge assortment of artsy finds such as jewelry, ceramics, handmade soap, and DIY items.
More Travel Ideas Near Deoksugung Palace
Walk mid-way through the Deoksugung Stone-wall Road, you’ll encounter Jeongdong Observatory & Cafe Darak sitting atop the Seoul City Hall Seosomun Building. It boasts a sweeping wraparound vista of the breathtaking treetops below.
Everything You Need to Know about Korea
Explore more of our adventures around Korea:
- Travel Guide: A Pocket South Korea Travel Guide
- Attractions: Nami Island, Gwangjang Market
- Food: Ultimate South Korea Food Guide
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