Changedeokgung Palace

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Time to get some culture. Seoul has a lot of palaces, but I decided to limit my palace experience to the World Heritage Listed Changdeokgung which had the thumbs up from most people I spoke to as the the best one. This was usually accompanied by the old adage ... seen one ... seen them all. With only 4 days to see the sights, I decided to take their advice.

This palace is a massive palace with lots of building set in extensive grounds. The only way to visit is as part of a tour so I joined 100 or so other English speakers on a wander around the palace. Naturally, being a little snap happy I admit I missed most of the detail, but I figure photographs paint a better picture anyway.

I will say that my favourite part was an area known as 'the Secret Garden' which was used as a private garden for the Emperor and his family. It's a beautiful area tucked in among the forest with a pool, pavilions and some beautiful autumn trees providing some natural beauty.

Enjoy the pics!

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Photos

Changdeokgung
Main entry

Bridge over no water
A dry little moat

Entrance Courtyard
only one person between me and a cracker of a shot

Audience Hall
No people ... all 100 odd are out of shot ... a miracle

Audience Hall (internal)
Nice decs, bit formal for my taste

Water Bowl & Roof detail
The water bowl is to keep fire demons at bay

Monkey Magic ...
Allow me to present ... Monkey ... Sandy ... Pigsy ... no idea where Tripitaka is

Fancy locks
better than a padlock

Railing
Only the royals could have painted houses

Me ...
Had to pop up somewhere

Secret Garden
One of the Pavilions

Secret Garden Pool
my favourite bit

Secret Garden & Me
Me and my garden

A Pavilion
Nature provides the extra element of beauty

A nobleman's house
So the Emporer could experience what it was like to be 'normal'