[One Day Walk] 500 Years of Joseon in the City: 'Seoul's 5 Major Palaces Route'

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Donhwamun Gate Guard
[Photo by Cultural Heritage Administration]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chunhee] Today's ten-thousand-step course is a route that allows you to visit the five major palaces of Seoul all at once. Starting from Deoksugung Palace, the path goes through Gyeonghuigung, Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and finally Changgyeonggung, allowing visitors to enter and tour interesting palaces along the way. Notably, those aged 24 and under and 65 and over can enter the palaces for free, making it enjoyable for both the elderly and younger generations.

The first stop is Deoksugung Palace. It was once a large-scale residence of the emperor during the Korean Empire period, but during the Japanese colonial era, the palace grounds were significantly reduced, turning it into an urban palace surrounded by skyscrapers. Currently, various restoration projects are underway to recover the former palace grounds and revive its history.

After walking along the stone wall path of Deoksugung and passing Jeongdong-gil, which features diverse scenes from the Enlightenment Period to modern times, you arrive at Gyeonghuigung Palace. Unlike other palaces, Gyeonghuigung has no admission fee, possibly because about 90% of it was demolished during the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung, greatly reducing its grounds. This allows visitors to comfortably enjoy the palace scenery. The nearby Seoul Museum of History is also worth a visit.

Leaving Gyeonghuigung and passing through Gwanghwamun Square heading north, you reach Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. After being burned down during the Imjin War, it underwent large-scale reconstruction in the 19th century and began to take its current form. Many tourists dressed in hanbok create an illusion of stepping back into the Joseon era.

From Gyeongbokgung, head east through Songhyeon Green Plaza and Bukchon to the next destination, Changdeokgung Palace. Changdeokgung is the only Joseon palace registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like Gyeongbokgung, it was burned during the Imjin War but was immediately rebuilt and has preserved its original appearance to this day. The palace's rear garden, opened to the public only in 2004, adds to its enduring beauty.

The final path to Changgyeonggung Palace is the recently restored 'Palace Wall Path.' Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Jongmyo Shrine once shared adjoining walls, but these were severed when the Japanese built roads. This meaningful path, restored as a green corridor, was opened in July last year. Changgyeonggung was also damaged during the Japanese era when it was converted into a zoo and amusement park called 'Changgyeongwon,' but subsequent restoration efforts have restored it to a dignified palace.