Deoksugung Palace
덕수궁
The one palace built for an evening visit — it stays open to 21:00 while the others close in the afternoon, and it sits directly on a subway exit in the middle of the business district.
Language
Place information
- Korean name
- 덕수궁
- Address
- 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
- Nearest station
- City Hall Station (시청역, Lines 1 and 2) (Exit 2) · 2-min walk, Gwanghwamun Station (광화문역, Line 5) (Exit 6 or 2) · 10-min walk
- Opening hours
- 09:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00)
- Closed
- Every Mon (open if it falls on a public holiday; closed the next weekday instead)
- Admission
- ₩1,000
- Operated by
- Royal Palaces and Tombs Centre
Prices
| Adult(domestic visitors 25-64, foreign visitors 19-64) | ₩1,000Free for visitors in hanbok. |
|---|---|
| Group(groups of ten or more) | ₩800 |
| Admission(Korean nationals aged 24 and under or 65 and over, with photo ID) | Free |
| Admission(foreign visitors aged 18 and under or 65 and over) | Free |
History
Deoksugung was never planned as a palace. It was the house of Prince Wolsan, and it became a royal residence only because King Seonjo returned from wartime refuge during the Imjin War to find no palace in the capital fit to live in. The compound served as a temporary palace — the Jeongneung-dong detached palace — until Gwanghaegun moved the court to Changdeokgung and gave the site a name of its own: Gyeongungung.
It became a working palace a second time three centuries later, when Gojong moved here from the Russian legation. In 1907 Gojong abdicated, Sunjong moved to Changdeokgung, and the palace was renamed Deoksugung — a name wishing long life to the retired king, and the one it still carries.
16th century
A prince's house
The compound begins as the residence of Prince Wolsan, not as a palace.
After the Imjin War
Temporary palace
King Seonjo returns to a capital with no usable palace and takes up residence here.
Under Gwanghaegun
Named Gyeongungung
The court moves to Changdeokgung and the site is given a palace name of its own.
Late 19th century
A palace again
Gojong moves here from the Russian legation and the compound returns to use.
1907
Renamed Deoksugung
Gojong abdicates and Sunjong moves to Changdeokgung; the new name honours the retired king.
1963
Designated
Registered as a Historic Site on 18 January.
What to see
Daehanmun Gate
Deoksugung's main gate. Gyeongungung's original main gate was Inhwamun, on the south side, but the area around the east gate Daeanmun became the new city centre — the Wongudan altar among other things — and that gate took over the role. The present name dates from a repair in 1906. Daehanmun originally stood about 33 metres further forward and was moved to its present position when Taepyeong-ro was widened in the 1970s.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Junghwamun Gate
The main gate to Junghwajeon, built in 1902 and rebuilt after the great Deoksugung fire of 1904 destroyed it. Corridor buildings originally flanked it; only part of the eastern one remains.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Photo 1 of 2
Junghwajeon Hall
Deoksugung's throne hall, where the state held its important events — the officials' salutations, audiences with foreign envoys. The carved slab set into the steps up to it bears two dragons rather than the phoenixes other throne halls carry: the building went up after the Korean Empire was declared, so it is decorated with the dragon that stands for an emperor. Rank stones line both sides of its courtyard, marking where civil and military officials stood at an assembly.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1) · Seoul Tourism Organization Archive (Seoul Tourism Archive, KOGL Type 1)
Junmyeongdang Hall
Junmyeongdang is joined to Jeukjodang by a corridor. It burned with Jeukjodang in the great fire of 1904 and was rebuilt the following year. In 1916 it was used as a kindergarten, for the education of Gojong's daughter Princess Deokhye.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Photo 1 of 3
Jeukjodang Hall
Jeukjodang and Seogeodang are the buildings Deoksugung grew from; jeukjo means a king's accession. The 15th king Gwanghaegun and the 16th king Injo both took the throne here, and after the Korean Empire was declared in 1897 it served as the throne hall. It was called Taegeukjeon and then Junghwajeon in that period, and reverted to Jeukjodang when Junghwajeon was built in 1902. Later Lady Eom, Gojong's consort, lived here, and died here in 1911.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Seogeodang Hall
Seogeodang and Jeukjodang are the buildings Deoksugung grew from; this is where King Seonjo lodged during the Imjin War. Injo returned most of Gyeongungung's buildings to their original owners but kept Seogeodang and Jeukjodang. It is the only two-storey building left at Deoksugung, and the only one left unpainted.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Deokhongjeon Hall
Deokhongjeon stands where Gyeonghyojeon used to be — the spirit hall that held Empress Myeongseong's tablet until it went to Jongmyo. Gojong later used it as a reception room for senior officials, diplomats and other guests. The interior is richly fitted out, with a chandelier, phoenix-patterned dancheong and plum-blossom motifs.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Hamnyeongjeon Hall
The emperor's sleeping quarters, built in 1897 when Gojong returned to the palace. Fire broke out during repairs to its underfloor heating in 1904 and destroyed it; it was rebuilt the following year. Gojong lived here and died here in 1919. Behind it a terraced garden was laid out, with elaborately decorated chimneys set into it. Gwangmyeongmun, its main gate, was moved back to its present position in 2018.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Jeonggwanheon Pavilion
The Annals of King Gojong record Jeonggwangheon being used to house the portraits of past kings temporarily. It carries both Eastern and Western form: an interior enclosed by Romanesque artificial-stone columns on a stone platform, with a porch of columns on three sides, east, south and west. Traditional motifs — deer, pine, arabesque and bat — are carved into the balustrade.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Photo 1 of 2
Seokjojeon Hall
A Western stone building Gojong had put up to serve as both sleeping quarters and office. It is neoclassical, and distinctive for the balconies on its front and on both its east and west sides. After it was completed in 1910 Gojong used it as a reception room for senior officials and foreign envoys. It now opens as the Korean Empire History Museum.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1) · Seoul Tourism Organization Archive (Seoul Tourism Archive, KOGL Type 1)
Seokjojeon West Wing
The west wing of Seokjojeon, begun in August 1936 and completed in June 1938, was used as the Yi Royal Family Museum of Art. It now houses the Deoksugung branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Dondeokjeon Hall
Built in 1902 for the ceremony marking the fortieth year of Gojong's reign; dondeok means that virtue runs deep. It is brick, with an ornate European exterior. The ground floor held the audience room where the emperor was received, the upper floor his bedroom, and the building was used for diplomatic audiences and banquets and as lodging for state guests. Sunjong held his accession ceremony here in 1907. It was left to stand after Gojong's death in 1919, appears to have gone by the 1930s, and 궁능유적본부 rebuilt it in 2023.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Jungmyeongjeon Hall
First built in 1897 as the imperial library, when it was called Suokheon; the name Jungmyeongjeon appears to date from 1906 or later. It is also the unhappy site where the Eulsa Treaty was forced through in 1905. It passed into private use after the Japanese occupation, was restored in 2009 and opened as an exhibition hall in 2010.
궁능유적본부 (royal.khs.go.kr, KOGL Type 1)
Daehanmun Gate selected
Suggested routes
Photo spots
Junghwajeon Hall — with the skyline behindBest time · Late afternoon
The only palace in Seoul where glass towers sit directly behind the roofline. Lean into the contrast rather than cropping it out.
Seokjojeon Hall — At the colonnadeBest time · After dark
Stone takes floodlight far better than wood does, which is why the evening opening favours this building.
Daehanmun Gate — from across the roadBest time · Any time
The gate against City Hall gives you the whole point of Deoksugung in one frame.
Junghwajeon Hall — with the skyline behind selected
Accessibility and facilities
Wheelchairs and strollers are lent free of charge and step-free routes are marked. The grounds have information desks, ticket booths, audio-guide rental, lockers, a nursing room, restrooms, first-aid points, a wheelchair lift and automated external defibrillators. Paid parking is available.
Because the site is small and largely level, Deoksugung is the easiest of the Seoul palaces to visit with a stroller or a wheelchair.
Royal Palaces and Tombs Centre — Deoksugung route and halls ·
Shared with other places
One ticket, several places
The 6,000-won combined palace ticket admits you to the four palaces and Jongmyo. It is valid for six months, one visit each, and is sold at those ticket offices. Changdeokgung's Huwon garden is not included.
Applies to: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine
Nearby
Gwanghwamun Gukbap
A dwaeji-gukbap house working in the clear-broth style, with boiled pork and blood sausage beside it.
Yonggeumok
A Seoul-style chutang house trading since 1932, its loach soup built on a beef broth with tofu, mushrooms and fried bean curd.
Cheonggyecheon
A stream running east across the middle of the city. The work that lifted the road deck off it began in July 2003 and finished in September 2005, and the water has been walkable alongside ever since. Cheonggye Plaza, at the western end, is where most people start.
Nampo Myeonok
An Eulji-ro noodle house open since 1968, serving Pyongyang naengmyeon and eobok-jaengban.
Stories about this place
- Deoksugung: The Palace With Four Names
A prince's private house, then a wartime lodging, then Gyeongungung, then Deoksugung. Each renaming marks a different moment in the state — including the one where Joseon became the Korean Empire.
- Nine Seoul Night Views Compared: Eungbongsan, Namsan, Seoul Sky and Naksan Park
Nine night views in Seoul compared on what you see, how you get up there and how crowded each one gets. Five are free and three charge, and the two best free viewpoints are the two you walk up to.
- Seoul's Five Palaces, Compared: Price, Closing Day, Hours — and How There Came to Be Five
Seoul's five palaces compared on what you see, what kind of palace each is and how long it takes, with price, closing day and hours alongside.
Nearby Food
- Five Seoul Korean Barbecue Restaurants: Hanwoo, Galbi, Bulgogi and Pork Belly
- What the broth is made of — eight Seoul houses, seven different bases
- Northern Korean Food in Seoul: Naengmyeon, Eobok-jaengban, Mandu and Kongbiji
- Seven Seoul houses that open for breakfast — before eight in the morning
- Six Seoul houses that make the noodle by hand — kalguksu, guksi, sujebi
- Enjoying Seoul's Cafe Culture
Travel Guides
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- Changdeokgung: The Palace Joseon's Kings Actually Lived In
- Jongmyo: The Shrine That Outranked the Palace
