Trip Planner:   Asia  /  South Korea  /  Seoul  /  Deoksugung

Deoksugung, Seoul

4.3
#6 of 73 in Historic Sites in Seoul
Architectural Building · Hidden Gem · Historic Site
A luxurious ancient palace within a metropolis, Deoksugung represents one of Seoul's five great Joseon dynasty palaces, and the only one combining traditional Korean architecture and Western-style buildings. A walled compound surrounded by modern skyscrapers, the palace features an impressive entrance gate and pointed-eave pavilion roofs. Cross the royal bridge and explore luxurious pavilions, whose intricately ornamented ceilings feature gilded carvings of dragons. If your timing is right, observe a colorfully costumed changing of the guard in the main courtyard. Architectural layers ranging from the 15th century to the 1900 Jeonggwanheon modernist building--the emperor's favorite coffee place-make this palace a perfect setting for the national art museum on site. Put Deoksugung on your schedule, and learn what else deserves a visit by using our Seoul online trip planner.
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Deoksugung reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.0
1,073 reviews
Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • By CanisHan
    C ( 20.12.16 ) There was one of Choseon's palace in Seoul and located near City Hall Station. There had some Choseon's style palace and modern architecture. There was good to walk with old...  more »
  • By 590jhl
    Locating before City Hall, this place is easy to access comparing to other palaces of Seoul. With only 1,000 won, you can experience minor version of Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung. Good place to...  more »
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Google
  • By Dongin Shin
    Beautiful beautiful palace. Continued restoration and recovery work makes this place even more meaningful. You can see change of the guards at specific times. Also walk along the stone wall outside of the place is wonderful activity to do.
  • By Albert Argilaga Claramunt
    Very nice place to visit. Very beautiful and with interesting history. And there are nice restaurants just in front.
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