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Photo: d'n'c (a flickr user), CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
It was built in 1104 as a summer palace for the Kings of the Goryeo Dynasty and became one of the main palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was used as a temporary home for the King during the time Gyeongbuk Palace was being built. Unlike other palaces that have a North-South orientation, Changgyeong Palace faces East-West. Also, this palace is known for connecting to Jongmyo Shrine, a holy place for the Joseon Dynasty, where sacrificial rites are practiced for previous kings and queens. Sadly, the buildings were largely demolished during the Japanese occupation (1910—1945). The name was changed to Changgyeongwon (literally Changgyeong park), and the site was used as a zoo. Restoration began during the 1980s, and the zoo was moved to Gwacheon, which is now Seoul Grand Park.
Changgyeonggung is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
창덕궁, 昌德宮
Second only to Gyeongbokgung in historical importance, it was built in 1405 and was the seat of power between 1618 and 1896. The buildings have been restored to create a dazzling but still elegant effect that got the palace listed as a . The site is better preserved than Gyeongbokgung. Buildings of particular note include the blue-roofed Seonjeongjeon, which was the King's office, and the Daejojeon ("Great Making Hall"), his bedchamber, but perhaps most famous of all is the Huwon ("Secret Garden") in the back. Access to the garden is by guided tour only, except on Thursdays when only self-guided tours are available in summer from April to August. English tours are only offered at 10:30 and 14:30 and last around 60 minutes with a walking distance of about 2.5 km, including some steps and incline for the Huwon portion (the grounds are wheelchair-accessible for most parts but may have to enter certain areas in a reverse direction from the group). Trivia: The building structure is not symmetrical and has a more natural-oriented arrangement than the Gyeongbokgung. You may find some Western influences in some buildings which were introduced during the late 1800s, such as a chandelier and the elevated pathway for the automobile.
국립어린이과학관
It is a science museum for children.
종묘, 宗廟
The royal ancestral temple during the Joseon Dynasty, this is where the kings would perform sacrificial rituals in honor of their ancestors. Certainly, the most famous shrine devoted to the royal family members of Korean dynasties. The grounds are a bit more walker-friendly than some of the palaces, admission is cheaper, and they also have some interactive equipment available to learn about the rituals and ceremonies used to treat deceased royal family members, but the interior of the shrine buildings is off-limits to the public. The Jongmyo Shrine is a . The Jongmyo Jerye (종묘제례) ceremony, which is still led by the head of the former royal family, is held here on the first Sunday of May every year, during which there will be traditional Korean performances as part of the ceremony, and the only time when the public can view (but not enter) the interior of the shrine buildings. English guided tours at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00.
홍익대 대학로 아트센터
It is a musical theater and cultural complex consisting of a large theater with 702 seats, a small theater with 150 seats, and two large exhibition rooms. It has the best facilities in the nearby Daehak-ro area.
서울우리소리박물관
A unique museum where you can see and hear traditional culture.
아루또 소극장
Located in the Daehak-ro district, Aruto Small Theater is known for staging romantic comedies. Since 2023, the theater is showcasing the play "De-minus Back to Fall in Love," a lighthearted romantic comedy. This small venue offers a cozy setting for audiences to enjoy live theater in an informal atmosphere.