Changdeokgung Secret Garden

Unclaimed

Such a beautiful garden. Can imagine how the royal family enjoy the peaceful and calmness here. Just relax and enjoying the wind caress our face and listening to the sound of nature. Advice to buy ticket in advance because they have limited visit time daily.

Took the tour, which started in 15 mins and ran/speed walked over to the starting point. It was a lovely tour, informative with lots of fun tidbits about k-dramas filmed there too! We got plenty of time to take photos and it was otherwise a pretty quiet little tour.

The Secret Garden is a historical haven, offers a captivating glimpse into royal life and serene landscapes. It is a separate admission section of the palace, with timed-entry tickets and re-entry is not allowed. We bought our tickets here for the English guided tour. The guide speaks good English. There were 2 guides helping with crowd control, which was necessary. Highlights: * Buyongji Pond (芙蓉池 부용지): A small, historically lotus-filled pond symbolizing "square earth, round sky," once enjoyed by royalty for fishing and boating. * Yeonghwadang Pavilion (영화당 暎花堂) : Beautiful hip-roofed pavilion by the pond, a former site for royal banquets and exams, once surrounded by vibrant flowers. * Eosumun Gate (어수문 魚水門): Exquisite gate to the Royal Library, symbolizing the King's bond with his people ("like fish and water"), sadly inaccessible to the public. * Juhamnu Pavilion (주합루 宙合樓): The Royal Library on top of the hill. * Aeryeonji Pond (애련지 愛蓮池): True to its name ("love lotus"), this pond is filled with lotus, reflecting purity and integrity, with a small, secluded pavilion. * Jondeokjeong Pavilion (존덕정 or 尊德亭): The garden's grandest pavilion with unique double hexagonal roofs and dragon carvings, signifying "respect virtue" and royal authority. * Pyeomusa Pavilion (평우사 or 砭愚榭): Once a study spot for the Crown Prince ("enlighten the foolish"), its pillars feature a poem beautifully describing the Secret Garden's charm. The Secret Garden isn't just a stroll, it's a carefully curated experience. Embrace the history, appreciate the symbolism, worth spending the hour for an unforgettable journey through royal tranquility.

When the tour guide tells you Korea loves their trees she wasn't kidding. Trees are superior! Worth the ticket to enjoy a palace garden. It's not like a western garden, it's hilly!

The garden is obviously very pretty, but I'm not sure whether it's worth the additional money and having to book the ticket in advance (especially when you can be there for only an hour). Also, it's pretty small and if you don't do the guided tour, you can check out the whole place (even with doing a lot of stops for pictures) in around 15 minutes. I'd recommend separating from the guided tour, viewing the garden yourself (there will be no crowd in the photos which is a plus) and then joining the tour again, to make the most out of the hour you get there :) The photos you see below are of the only somewhat interesting parts of the garden, in my opinion