Deoksugung Palace

Outside the palace grounds stretches a picturesque stone wall that runs along a scenic path leading from the main gate of Deoksugung to Jeongdong-gil Road. This spot is beloved by visitors, often captured in photographs thanks to its unique charm. Interestingly, there is a local saying that couples who walk this path together may soon separate — a superstition likely inspired by the nearby divorce court.

• Daehanmun Gate
  Originally, the palace’s main gate was Inhwamun, which faced south. However, after new roads were constructed, the eastern Daehanmun Gate became the palace’s primary entrance. Its name can be interpreted as a symbol of prosperity for Seoul.
• Junghwajeon Hall
  The central hall of Deoksugung, Junghwajeon was used for state ceremonies such as royal coronations, official meetings, and receptions of foreign envoys. A remarkable detail is the pair of intricately carved dragons on the stone stairway leading to the hall — a unique feature not found in any other Korean palace. Today, Junghwajeon is designated as a National Treasure of Korea.
• Jeonggwanheon
  Built in 1900 by a Russian architect, Jeonggwanheon sits on a garden hill at the rear of the palace. Designed as a leisure pavilion, it harmoniously blends Western architectural elements with traditional Korean style. Instead of stone pillars, it uses wood, and above the arches are decorative Korean motifs. The building also features a veranda — highly unusual for Korea at the time — where Emperor Gojong is said to have enjoyed coffee and drinks with foreign diplomats, earning Jeonggwanheon the title of the first “café-like” space in Korean history.
• Jeukjodang Complex
  This area includes several buildings, such as Junmyeongdang, Jeukjodang, and Seogeodang. During the Imjin War, King Seonjo stayed here temporarily. Junmyeongdang served as the royal residence and a venue for state meetings, while Jeukjodang became the main hall for official affairs during Emperor Gojong’s reign. Seogeodang, a simple wooden structure, stands out for its plain design, lacking the ornate decorations typical of other royal buildings. A plaque written personally by Emperor Gojong can still be seen at Jeukjodang today.
• Seokjojeon
  Emperor Gojong had the Seokjojeon area erected to house his royal quarters, starting work in 1900 and completing it ten years later. The term "Seokjojeon" literally translates as "stone house" and was conceived by British architect GR Harding with the intention of giving the palace a more Western look. The building was rarely used as attendance by Westerners was limited after the Japanese won the Russo-Japanese War. Later, the Japanese turned it into an art gallery. After independence in 1945, the building was used for American-Soviet talks. Following the Korean War, it was converted into the National Museum of Korea and is currently undergoing a restoration process.

  It is a stone building strongly influenced by thewestern neoclassical architecture, features a veranda at the front and sides of the structure as a distinctive feature. The fountain in front of the palace was the first ever fountain to be built in Korea. The construction of a Western-style building within Deoksugung was part of the modernization policies adopted during the Korean Empire period.