5 Best Sights in Seoul, South Korea

If you only have time for one of Seoul's five palaces, Changdeokgung is the one to see. Built in 1405, it is the Joseon Dynasty's second palace and is now registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Changdeokgung has an older, more historic feel than some of the other palaces and was designed to blend in with the natural landscape surrounding it. What truly sets it apart, however, is the Secret Garden, only accessible via a reserved tour. Nestled on a hill and featuring a lotus pond and 300-year-old trees, the garden follows the serene flow of the four valleys that divide it. Before you visit, check to see if the palace is offering its special nighttime hours, as the building is exceptional in the glow of lamp light. For guided tour times in English and for a roster of seasonal events, visit the palace website. 

Located next to City Hall, Deoksugung is an oasis in the heart of downtown Seoul. Originally built as a residence for the crown prince, Deoksugung was the only palace to survive the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Today, it is the most modern of the palaces, blending a European-style garden and fountain with traditional palace architecture. It is also home to the National Museum of Contemporary Art, which features rotating exhibitions of Western and Korean artists. While not as grand as Seoul's other four palaces, Deoksugung is notable for its contrast to the chaos and bustle of the surrounding downtown and makes an excellent stop after a day of sightseeing or shopping. At night the main hall and other buildings are illuminated, giving the palace a quiet, mysterious air.

The oldest and most famous of Seoul's palaces, Gyeongbokgung means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven." Built in 1395, it served as the main seat of government throughout much of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). Destroyed in 1592, the palace was unused for nearly 270 years as the government moved its seat to Changdeokgung. In 1867 the palace was rebuilt on a grand scale, with 5,792 rooms in over 330 building in the sprawling complex which again becoming a self-functioning city within a city. Unfortunately all but ten buildings of this majestic complex were destroyed during the Japanese occupation in the first part of the 20th century. Adding insult to injury, the colonial powers built the Japanese Government General building directly in front of Gyeongbokgung's throne hall. Restoration of the palace began again in 1990, and though no longer the seat of government, the palace has been restored to some of its former glory. A must-see for anyone interested in history and architecture, Gyeongbokgung is the most visited tourist sight in Korea so crowds can be dense, especially in the warmer months and on weekends.   At the palace gate, Gwanghwamun Gate, you can see the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony each day at 10 am and 2 pm except Tuesday. 

Changgyeonggung stands out for its quiet beauty. Constructed in 1418, the palace was originally a residence for former queens of the Joseon Dynasty. Along with the adjacent Changdeokgung Palace, it was referred to as the East Palace. In 1762 the palace was home to one of Korea's famous royal murders. As the story goes, Prince Sado, the heir to the throne, was quite strange. Worried about what would happen should he take power, the emperor lured him into a rice casket in the palace, locking him in until he starved to death. Later, during the Japanese occupation, the palace was home to a zoo and amusement park which lasted until the 1980s. Today, Changgyeonggung has been restored to its former state and although the gate is a bit of a hike, it is well worth a visit to see one of Seoul's serenely landscaped palaces without the crowds of neighboring Changdeokgung.

Gyeonghuigung, the Palace of Light and Joy, is by far the least grand of Seoul's palaces, but also the least visited. Built in 1617, it is also the most recent of Seoul's palaces, but like the others Gyeonghuigung suffered a similar cycle of destruction during Japanese occupation and restoration. The palace is often used as a set in Korean films and dramas, so lucky visitors may even happen upon a movie shoot. Next door is the Seoul Museum of History.