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Changdeokgung Secret Garden Tour: How to Book and What You See

Short answer: The Secret Garden (Huwon, 후원) at Changdeokgung Palace can only be visited in timed sessions with a capped number of visitors, so it is best to book a slot in advance on the official royal palaces reservation website. You need a Changdeokgung palace admission and a separate Secret Garden ticket. The garden walk takes about 90 minutes on hilly paths and passes lotus ponds, pavilions, a scholar-style residence and a rocky stream once used for royal poetry gatherings. English-language sessions are limited and sell out first in spring and autumn.

Disclosure: KPOPORO may earn a commission if you book through some links, at no extra cost to you.

Changdeokgung is the palace many Seoul locals call the most beautiful of the five Joseon palaces, and its rear garden is the main reason. Unlike the large, formal courtyards of Gyeongbokgung, the Secret Garden was designed to follow the natural shape of the hills and valleys, with buildings placed quietly among the trees. Changdeokgung, including the garden, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A little history

Changdeokgung was built in the early 15th century as a secondary palace of the Joseon dynasty. After the main palaces were burned during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, Changdeokgung was rebuilt first and served as the main royal residence for roughly two and a half centuries. The rear garden was a private space for kings and the royal family to rest, study, hold banquets, write poetry and even try farming in a small rice paddy. Because it was off-limits to ordinary people, it became known in English as the "Secret Garden."

How to book the Secret Garden tour

Book on the official reservation site

Reservations open on the royal palaces reservation website run by the Korea Heritage Service, which has an English page for Changdeokgung. You choose a date, a time slot and a language session (Korean, English and some other languages, depending on the day). Slots open a set number of days in advance, and popular weekend and autumn-foliage dates go quickly, so check the site as soon as your travel dates are fixed.

On-site tickets

A portion of tickets has traditionally been kept for on-site sale at the palace ticket office on the day. These can run out early, especially on weekends and in the peak foliage season in late October and November, so treat on-site tickets as a backup, not a plan.

Palace ticket plus garden ticket

The Secret Garden ticket is separate from general palace admission. Plan to enter Changdeokgung itself first and allow time to walk to the garden entrance, which is inside the palace grounds. Late arrivals may not be able to join their session.

Prices, hours and closing days

Changdeokgung is generally closed on Mondays. Session times, ticket prices and seasonal hours change, and different travel blogs list different numbers, so please check the official site for the current schedule rather than trusting an old guide.

Wearing hanbok

Under the current policy, visitors wearing hanbok get free admission to the grounds of Seoul's royal palaces. Whether that also covers the Secret Garden ticket can differ, so check before you go. If you would like to try it, a hanbok rental near the palaces lets you dress up for the day. Our hanbok rental guide covers the rules. Keep in mind that the garden walk is hilly, so choose comfortable shoes and a hanbok you can walk in.

What you see on the Secret Garden tour

The exact route can change by season and session, but most tours visit these highlights.

Buyongji Pond and Juhamnu Pavilion

The first big view is a square pond with a small round island, reflecting the old belief that heaven is round and the earth is square. Above it on the slope stands Juhamnu, a two-story pavilion that once housed the royal library and study rooms. Its small entrance gate was said to remind scholars and officials to stay humble. This is the spot most people recognize from photos.

Aeryeonji Pond

A smaller pond with a delicate pavilion. Its name relates to the lotus, a symbol of a noble person who stays pure in a muddy world.

Yeongyeongdang

This residence was built in the 19th century in the style of a scholar-official's home rather than a palace. The buildings are left unpainted, without the bright dancheong patterns you see elsewhere in the palace, which gives them a calm, simple look. It is a good place to see how the royal family imagined a quiet, scholarly life.

Gwallamji and Jondeokjeong

Deeper in the garden, a curved pond and several pavilions are set among old trees. Look for a fan-shaped pavilion and the double-roofed Jondeokjeong, one of the older structures in the garden.

Ongnyucheon Stream

In the innermost valley, a small stream flows around a large rock with carved characters and a poem attributed to a Joseon king. Kings and officials floated wine cups on the water here and composed poems. Some sessions, especially shorter ones, may not include this area, so check the route description when you book.

Best time to visit

  • Autumn (late October to November): the most famous season, with red and gold maples around the ponds. Also the busiest, so book well ahead.
  • Spring (April to May): fresh green leaves and blossoms, and pleasant walking weather.
  • Summer: shady and lush, but hot and humid on the hills; go in a morning session.
  • Winter: fewer visitors and a quiet, snowy atmosphere on lucky days. Dress warmly, and check for path closures after snow or ice.

Changdeokgung also holds a separate seasonal night program, the Moonlight Tour, which has its own booking process and is not the same as the daytime Secret Garden tour.

Getting there and combining nearby sights

The main gate, Donhwamun, is a short walk from Anguk Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. Many visitors combine Changdeokgung with the hanok alleys of Bukchon on the same morning; read our Bukchon Hanok Village visiting hours and rules before you go, since parts of the village have restricted visiting hours. Changgyeonggung Palace is right next door and connected on foot.

Yara from POPORO CITY says: "Stand still at Buyongji for one minute and just listen. That quiet is the real souvenir."

Quick tips

  • Book your Secret Garden slot on the official reservation site as soon as your dates are set.
  • Arrive early: enter the palace first, then walk to the garden entrance before your session time.
  • Wear comfortable shoes; the paths include slopes and uneven ground.
  • Stay with the group and on the paths; the garden is a protected heritage site.
  • Check the official site for closing days, prices and session times, which change by season.

FAQ

Can I visit the Secret Garden without a tour?

Entry is generally by timed session with a set route and guide or staff. Rules can change by season, so check the official reservation site for the current format.

How long is the Secret Garden tour?

Plan on about 90 minutes for the garden itself, plus extra time for the main palace buildings before or after.

Is the Secret Garden tour available in English?

Yes, there are English sessions at set times on most open days, but they are fewer than Korean sessions and fill up quickly in peak seasons.

Is the Secret Garden suitable for older visitors or young children?

The walk includes hills and some uneven paths, so it is moderate rather than hard. Strollers and wheelchairs may find parts of the route difficult; ask the palace in advance if you need assistance.

Which is better, Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung?

Gyeongbokgung is bigger and more grand; Changdeokgung feels more natural and peaceful, mostly thanks to the Secret Garden. If you only have time for one garden experience, Changdeokgung is the one.