Changdeokgung palace entrance fee and secret garden tour

Changdeokgung is a palace listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are Gyeongbokgung Palace, Insa-dong, Bukchon nearby which many tourists visit. In particular, the Secret garden tour is popular among Koreans as well. I introduce the entrance fee and location of Changdeokgung Palace, and how to tour the secret garden in this post


Changdeokgung palace

Changdeokgung Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Seoul, South Korea. It was built in the 15th century during the Joseon Dynasty and served as the main palace for many of the dynasty's kings. The palace is renowned for its beautiful architecture, traditional Korean gardens, and historical significance. It is one of the most well-preserved palaces in South Korea and is considered a masterpiece of Korean palace architecture. Today, Changdeokgung Palace is a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Korea's rich cultural heritage.



1. Location

Changdeokgung Palace is located close to Anguk Station on Seoul Line 3. If you get off Anguk Station, Insa-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village is right next to the station, so it's good to visit  Changdeokgung Palace together.



2. Opening hours

Closed on every Mondays

If Monday is the public holiday, it is open, and close on the first non-holiday after the public holiday.


Palace building area

Feb. ~ May and Sep. ~ Oct. - 09:00 ~ 18:00 (Last entry 17:00)

Jun. ~ Aug. - 09:00 ~ 18:30 (Last entry 17:30)

Nov. ~ Jan. - 09:00 ~ 17:30 (Last entry 16:30)


This course takes about 60 minutes.


Secret Garden

Mar. ~ Jun. and Sep. ~ Oct. - 10:00 ~ 17:30 (Ticket sales 09:00 ~ 16:00)

Jul. ~ Aug. - 10:00 ~ 17:10 (Ticket sales 09:00 ~ 16:00)

Feb. - 10:00 ~ 16:40 (Ticket sales 09:00 ~ 15:30)

Nov. - 10:00 ~ 17:00 (Ticket sales 09:00 ~ 15:30)

Dec. ~ Jan. - 10:00 ~ 16:10 (Ticket sales 09:00 ~ 15:00)


This course takes about 90 minutes.


Private viewing of the Secret Garden tour is not possible, and the tourist must  reserve guide tour in advance. You can buy the ticket at the ticket office. However, this is a popular tour, so make reservations at least 3 days in advance.

For reference, 100 tickets are available for each tour. 50 can be purchased online and 50 at the ticket office that day.


Secret garden tour reservation page




3. Entrance fee

Only the entry fee for foreigners has been summarized in this post


Palace building area

Adults (Age 19~64) : 3,000 won (2,400 won for 10 persons or more)

The others : Free

Those wearing a Hanbok : Free

Culture day also free. (The last Wednesdays of every month)


Secret Garden

Adults (Age 19 ~ ) : 5,000 won

Children (Age 7 ~ 18) : 2,500 won


Royal Palace Pass

The tourists with royal palace pass can visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyenggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace and the Jongmyo Royal Ancestral Shrine.

Where to Purchase Tickets : The ticket office at any of the 4 palaces or at the Jongmyo Royal Ancestral Shrine.

It can also be used in Secret Garden, but there is a limit on the number of people, so you must change it to a Secret Garden voucher in advance.



4. Guide tour

Guided tours are available in English, Chinese and Japanese.


Palace building area (Duration : 50 min.)

English - 10:15, 13:15

Chinese - 10:00

Japanese - 11:00


Departure point - Guide map in the main gate area


Secret Garden (Duration : 90 min.)

English - 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30 (15:30 tour only in Mar. ~ Nov.)

Chinese - 12:30

Japanese - 13:30


Departure point - Secret garden entrance


5. Tips

If you are a tourist visiting Changdeokgung Palace, don't miss the Secret garden. Instead, check the tour times of the two places and make reservations in advance. You can eat at Bukchon Hanok Village and buy souvenirs in Insa-dong, so plan your visit in advance.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Featured Post

Seoul Botanic Park location, ticket price and opening hours

Seoul Botanic Park The garden opened in May 2018 and is one of the largest indoor botanical gardens in the world, with three main greenhous...