Changdeokgung, an UNESCO World Heritage site, was originally built in 1405 as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung (which I visited back in September). When Gyeongbokgung was destroyed in the 1590s, though, Changdeokgung became the primary palace until 1896. Therefore, over 300 years of royals called Changdeokgung home!
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| These doors were not Kate-sized. |
With separate living quarters for men, women, and concubines, libraries, official halls, and meeting areas, the buildings form a large labyrinth. The main path swarmed with people, but walking among the buildings brought a serenity that made it far too easy for me to pretend at being a princess. The buildings were elaborately painted and restored, and metal figures posed eerily on the eaves.
In the back of the palace is Biwon, a secret garden that can only be explored on a 2-hour guided tour (8,000 won gets you entrance to the palace and the gardens). With pagodas, lily pad-filled ponds, streams, and many, many trees it was easy to see why the dynastic kings took refuge in the garden. Despite being on a rather large guided tour, the peace and calm were undeniable. We picked a perfect day to go, as the sun was out, the sky was bright blue, and leaves all around Seoul and Biwon displayed a vivid array of colors. In the shade of the garden, things got a bit chilly, but dol sot bibimbap (bibimbap in a hot pot) worked wonders. 
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