Changgyeonggung Palace

Below is a list of the main halls and points of interest inside Changgyeonggung Palace:

• Honghwamun Gate: crossing Honghwamun, whose name literally means “to promote harmony,” visitors enter the main entrance gate of the palace. Built at the same time as the palace itself, the gate was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Joseon (1592–1598) but rebuilt in 1616. This imposing structure not only served as the main entryway but also as the place where the king would meet his subjects.
• Okcheongyo Bridge: built in 1484, the Okcheongyo Bridge is a powerful symbol of purity. Its name, meaning “a stream flowing as pure as jade,” refers to the clear waters from Mount Eungbongsan that once ran beneath it. Still intact today, the bridge is recognized as National Treasure No. 386. Beneath the arch, you can spot a carved dokkaebi (Korean goblin) meant to ward off evil spirits coming from the river, protecting the palace grounds.
• Myeongjeongmun Gate and Myeongjeongjeon Hall: located just inside Honghwamun, Myeongjeongmun Gate is a three-entrance structure built on a stone base, with double wooden doors on each side. Based on its architectural style, it is believed to have been reconstructed during the reign of King Gwanghae (1608–1623).
  Myeongjeongjeon Hall is the main hall of the palace, used for important state affairs such as royal banquets and meetings with officials. First built in 1484, it was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and rebuilt in 1616. Today, it stands as the oldest surviving main hall among Seoul’s royal palaces.
  Unlike the grand halls of other palaces, Myeongjeongjeon is more modest in size, as it was originally conceived as a residential building rather than a throne hall. Despite its single-story design, the hall is elevated on a raised courtyard that conveys its dignity. A three-tiered stone pathway leads through the courtyard, reserved exclusively for the king, while the surrounding walls housed the royal guard or were used during funeral ceremonies.
  Another unique feature is its orientation: while most main halls in Joseon palaces face south, Myeongjeongjeon faces east. Architecturally, it embodies the early Joseon style with its balanced, harmonious proportions. Unlike other palaces, which usually require passage through three gates to reach the main hall, Changgyeonggung has only two — a defensive measure that also ensured the king could not be directly seen from outside, since Honghwamun is slightly offset from the hall.
• Munjeongjeon Hall: this council chamber was where the king carried out various administrative tasks, and it is notable for its unusual orientation. Unlike the throne hall, which faces east, Munjeongjeon faces south — a rare feature in Korean palace architecture. During the Japanese occupation, the original structure was dismantled, and the current hall is the result of a 1986 restoration. The courtyard in front of the hall was the setting for one of the most tragic events of the 18th century. On May 13, 1762, King Yeongjo, convinced that Crown Prince Sado was suffering from mental illness and displaying inappropriate behavior, ordered his son to be sealed alive inside a large rice chest. After eight agonizing days, the prince died at the age of 28. Overcome with remorse, King Yeongjo later granted his son the posthumous name “Sado,” meaning “to think in sorrow.” Although rumors spread that Crown Prince Sado had been the victim of a political conspiracy, this theory was dismissed in the Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong, written by his wife, which remain one of Korea’s most important historical documents.
• Sungmundang Hall: this hall was used by the king to study classical literature. It is believed to have been built during the reign of King Gwanghaegun. After being destroyed by fire in 1830, it was rebuilt later that same year. The foundation was designed to give the impression that the building stands on sloping ground. The name “Sungmundang,” written personally by King Yeongjo, is still displayed at the entrance.
• Haminjeong Pavilion: originally built in 1633 on the site of the former Inyangjeon Hall, this pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1830 and rebuilt in 1833. It served as a venue where the king received officials and hosted banquets. Today, Haminjeong is open on all four sides, but historical sources suggest that it originally had walls on three sides.
• Tongmyeongjeon Hall: located northwest of Myeongjeongjeon, this hall served as the residence of the king and queen and was also used for royal banquets and meetings. During the reign of King Sukjong, the 19th monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, his favorite concubine Janghuibin carried out a curse ritual here, burying dead dolls and small animals in front of the hall in an attempt to bring misfortune to Queen Inhyeon.
• Daeonsil Greenhouse: opened to the public in 1909, this was the first Western-style greenhouse built in Korea. At that time, Emperor Sunjong was residing at nearby Changdeokgung Palace, and the Japanese government proposed constructing both the greenhouse and a zoo within Changgyeonggung Palace as a gesture of comfort for the emperor. The project was designed by a Japanese architect and carried out by a French firm. Characterized by its Western design, the structure is made of iron and wood and is completely covered with glass. Originally, it housed a collection of rare and tropical plants, but after a renovation in 1986, these were replaced with native Korean species. In 2004, the main greenhouse was designated National Treasure No. 83 on South Korea’s official list.
• Gyeongchunjeon Hall: built in 1483, this hall has a long history of destruction and reconstruction. It was destroyed in 1592, rebuilt in 1616, burned down again in 1830, and finally rebuilt in 1834. Gyeongchunjeon is historically significant as the birthplace of both King Jeongjo and King Heonjong.
• Tongmyeongjeon Hall: built in 1484 and restored in 1834, this hall served as the main building of the Yeonjo area, reserved for the residence of kings and their families.
• Hwangyeongjeon Hall: originally erected in 1484 during the reign of King Seongjong, this hall was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and later rebuilt in 1616. After being damaged again by fire in 1830, it was reconstructed in 1834.
• Chundangji Ponds: created in 1909, these ponds feature a 366-square-meter artificial island connected by a bridge added in 1984. The smaller pond covers an area of 1,107 square meters, while the larger one spans 6,483 square meters.
• Seven-story Octagonal Stone Pagoda: Located next to the Chundangji Ponds, this pagoda was originally acquired by a merchant in Manchuria and later donated to the Yi Royal Family Museum during the Japanese colonial period. Built in a distinctive Tibetan style, it stands on a double octagonal stone base resting atop a larger square foundation. An inscription engraved on the body of the pagoda records its creation in 1470, during the Ming Dynasty in China.
• Gwancheondae Observatory: located in front of Munjeongjeon Hall, this structure is believed to have been used for observing celestial bodies with the soganui, a simplified version of the spherical armillary — hence its alternative name, Soganuidae. More recent studies also suggest the presence of an ilseongjeongsiui, a device for measuring time based on celestial movements. In 1985, Gwancheondae was officially designated as a National Treasure.
• Worth mentioning are the other entrances to Changgyeonggung Palace: Seoninmun Gate to the northeast, Wolgeunmun Gate, and Jipchunmun Gate, which is believed to have once served as the eastern entrance to the Secret Garden.