Seoul Attraction: Deoksugung Palace

If you are into Korean historical dramas (sageuk) like me, Deoksugung Palace might be a place that you want to visit. At the time we went to Korea, Seo In Guk and Shin Sung Rok's drama "The King's Face" was still airing. So as I was walking down this smallest palace in Seoul, I felt like picturing these actors reenacting certain scenes in the actual place. It is the palace where Prince Gwanghaegun's father King Seonjo and the royal family seeked refugee during the Japanese invasion also known as Imjin war. And, later on it would also be the place where Grand Prince Gwanghaegun was finally crowned as King in real history.

Deoksugung Palace is also the former residence of Prince WolSan, the eldest son of Queen In Soo and grandson of King Sejo, who is featured in the Korean historical drama Queen In Soo.

Being one of the Five Grand Palaces from the Joseon dinasty, Deoksugung Palace is located at 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu. You might get here by subway using Exit 2 of City Hall station on subway line 1 or Exit 12 of City Hall station on subway line 2. If you choose to go the public by bus you have to get of at the Seoul Shinmun stop. Another alternative would be using one of the many Seoul City Tour Bus options. Or even better, look for a strategic located stay in Seoul and walk on foot.

Entrance fee to this palace is 1.000 Won. It is open from 09:00-21:00 (last entry at 20:00), every day except Monday. The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony can be seen three times a day (11:00 / 14:00 / 15:30) in front of the Daehanmun Gate. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is located inside the palace, but you have to pay an extra fee of 8.000 Won to enter the museum.