Changgyeonggung Palace in Seoul, is one of the special palaces of the Joseon Dynasty. After King Sejong (1397-1450) was inaugurated in 1418, Suganggung Palace was built to for the former king, King Taejong (1367-1422). Changgyeonggung was belittled during the Japanese occupation period, into a resort with a zoo and botanic gardens. Later the zoo was moved in 1983, the palace was completely restored and was called Chaggyeonggung once again.
Past the entrance of Changgyeonggung Palace, the Honghwa Gate, you will find Okcheon Bridge. All palaces of the Joseon Dynasty have ponds with an arch bridge over them, just like Okcheon Bridge. Cross Okcheongyo, pass Myeongjeong Gate, and you will find Myeonjeongjeon. This is the office of the King, and Myeongjeongjeon is the oldest of the Joseon Dynasty palaces. The houses face southwards, but Myeongjeongjeon faces the east. Because the ancestral shrine of the royal family are located in the South,the gate couldn't face the south as the Confucian custom. There are stones with the status of the officials carved on the yard. Behind Myeongjeongjeon on the upper left side there is Sungmundang. This building utilizes the slope of the mountain. If you look at Myeongjeongjeon and Munjeongjeon, the combination of the high and low roofs offers a beautiful view.
Tongmyeongjeon was built for the queen. It is the biggest building in Changgyeonggung Palace, and you can recognize the delicate details of its structure in various parts of the building. Walk up the stones past Tongmyeongjeon and there you will find Jagyeongjeon. On the southeast direction of the Jagyeongjeon is the Punggidae. This Punggidae is a measuring instrument. It is a long pole with a cloth hung at the end, used to check the speed and direction of the wind. If you head north there is a large pond called Chundangji. Half of the pond was originally a rice field that the King took care of. But during the Japanese Occupation the rice field was changed to a pond with little ships floating on it. And the botanic garden built above the pond still remain today.
Local
Transportation
From exit 4 of Haehwa station (Seoul Subway Line 4), pass through Seoul National University Hospital (10 min walk).
