Deoksugung Palace

Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul 04518, South Korea

Website: http://deoksugung.go.kr

Hours: Daily 9:00am-9:00pm (night opening seasonally; palace museum areas often 9:00am-6:00pm)

Admission: ₩1,000 (approx. $0.75) adult; free with certain combined palace tickets

Deoksugung is a Joseon-dynasty royal palace complex in central Seoul, South Korea, that later served as a royal residence during the late Joseon period and the Korean Empire. It is one of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces and sits close to City Hall in the downtown area.

The complex includes traditional wooden palace buildings and later Western-style structures, notably the brick-and-stone Seokjojeon, plus gardened courtyards and a characteristic stone-wall road. The site is compact compared with larger palaces and is frequently visited for its architecture, short guided routes, and staged guard-changing events.

Deoksugung grew as a royal residence after parts of earlier palaces were damaged during the late 16th century and was used by members of the royal family into the early 20th century; later it was preserved as a historical site. Buildings on the grounds reflect additions and reconstructions made during the late Joseon era and the Korean Empire period.

The palace complex lies in central Seoul near Seoul City Hall and Seoul Plaza, within walking distance of major civic and transport hubs in the Jung-gu district.

• Guard ceremony: Regular guard-changing and palace ceremonies are staged at the main gate, making for a popular short attraction close to central Seoul.
• Architectural mix: The grounds combine traditional Korean palace buildings and Western-style structures, so allow short visits to see both architectural styles without leaving the city center.

What to See#

• Junghwajeon: The main throne hall of the palace dating to the Joseon period and later used for official ceremonies and receptions.
• Seokjojeon: A Western-style brick-and-stone building constructed during the late Joseon/early Korean Empire period and now preserved as an example of Western influence on palace architecture.
• Deoksugung Doldam-gil: A historic stone-wall lane that runs along part of the palace grounds and is a well-known promenade connecting palace gates and nearby streets.

Deoksugung is a short walk from Seoul City Hall Station (Subway Line 1 or 2); use Exit 2 and walk about 5 minutes west along Sejong-daero. From Gyeongbokgung Palace it is roughly a 20-25 minute walk along Sejong-ro and the stonewall path, or two stops by bus (city buses 7016, 106). Taxis from central Seoul are inexpensive and drop visitors right at the main gate.

• Arrive 30-45 minutes before the changing of the guard ceremony (11am and 2pm on select days) to get a good vantage point without blocking the procession.
• Use the Sejongno (west) entrance near City Hall to avoid the heaviest tourist cluster at the main gate.
• Visit the Daehanmun and stone-wall road at dusk for better photos-the winter light gives the granite a honeyed glow.
• Don't skip the Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway (Deoksugung-gil) next door; street vendors and cafés make for a pleasant detour.