Is Changgyeonggung Palace wheelchair accessible?

Visit details

Changgyeonggung Palace was built by King Seongjong on the site of the former Suganggung Palace for three queen dowagers. The site originally held Suganggung, which King Sejong founded in 1418 (the year of his accession) for his father, the retired King Taejong. Later, in 1483 (the 14th year of King Seongjong's reign), King Seongjong greatly expanded Suganggung for three queen dowagers—Queen Jeonghui, consort of King Sejo; Queen Sohye, consort of King Deokjong; and Queen Ansun, consort of King Yejong—and renamed the palace Changgyeonggung.

Changgyeonggung formed a single palace compound with Changdeokgung without a boundary, known as Donggwol (the Eastern Palace), and was used mainly as living quarters for the royal family. The palace was destroyed in 1592 (the 25th year of King Seonjo) during the Imjin War, rebuilt in 1616 (the 8th year of Gwanghaegun), then largely lost to a major fire in 1830 (the 30th year of King Sunjo) and rebuilt four years later.

After Emperor Sunjong ascended the throne in 1907, a zoo and botanical garden were created within Changgyeonggung, and it began to lose its character as a palace. In 1911, under Japanese colonial rule, even the name was demoted to Changgyeongwon, turning it into a park rather than a palace, and the damage was severe. After liberation, the name Changgyeonggung was restored in 1983, the zoo on the palace grounds was relocated, and restoration work returned it to its original palace appearance, which it has today. Unlike other palaces that face south, Changgyeonggung's main gate and throne hall are oriented to the east.

Hours: 09:00–21:00 (last admission 20:00)

Closed: Every Monday Note: However, if the regular closing day falls on a public or substitute holiday, the site stays open and closes on the next non-holiday instead

Information: 02-762-4868

Address: Jongno-gu Changgyeonggung-ro 185 (Walyongdong), Seoul

Official website: https://royal.khs.go.kr