Changdeogung’s Secret Garden is a “can’t miss” in Seoul

Maybe you’ve only got one day in Seoul, a common occurrence for people who find themselves with a free day between layovers at Incheon Airport. If you’ve got a day or even a few hours, the one thing you don’t want to miss is the Secret Garden, located in the back of the Changdeokgung Palace. You can take the bus from the airport to downtown Seoul, which will allow you to get off right outside the Anguk metro station. From there, the palace is a short walk or taxi ride away.

Changdeokgung Palace was constructed in 1405. It’s well worth seeing, but the Secret Garden, its highlight, requires a separate entrance. There are English guided tours three times per day (see the schedule below), but on Thursdays between April and November, you can go unescorted.

Small pavilions accent the hidden ponds found at numerous places within the garden

The garden is fascinating, with a magnificent pavilion overlooking a lily pond, and many other ornate buildings and ponds set on a breathtakingly beautiful hillside setting. Usually, we here at WoWasis like to avoid formal tours, but the English guided tour was wonderful. The guide was knowledgeable, and the stories behind the structures and ponds were worth hearing.

When you arrive at the Palace, we recommend that you book your tour for the Secret Garden immediately. Between your arrival and your tour time, you can visit the palace and other structures. Be sure to pick up the free 30 page English guide to the palace, which you can get when you buy your palace ticket.

Chandeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
Open Tuesday-Sunday
April-October 9:00-6:30
Dec-Feb 9:00-5:00
Nov, Mar 9:00-5:30
English Tours of the Secret Garden: 11:30, 1:30, 3:30 (90 minutes in length)