Deoksugung Palace

덕수궁

📍 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Introduction

Registered as Historic Site No. 124, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but a residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Telephone

+82-2-771-9951

Homepage

www.deoksugung.go.kr

🗺 Location

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

✏ Details

Admission Fees

[Foreign Visitors]
Individuals - Adults 1,000 won / Children 500 won
Groups - Adults 800 won / Children 400 won

* Adults (ages 19-64) / Children (ages 7-18)
* Group: 10 people or more
* Free admission: Preschoolers (ages 6 & younger), senior citizens (ages 65 & older), visitors wearing hanbok, all visitors on the last Wednesday of each month (Culture Day)

[Combination Ticket for Palaces]
- Sites: Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine
- Fee: 10,000 won (Note, refund not available after using the ticket the first time)
- Validity: Up to one month after purchase.