Worth a Journey

Read by 254k monthly readers

The World’s 100 Best Palaces

Changdeokgung

Seoul, South Korea

  1. THE WORLD’S BEST PALACES WORTH A JOURNEY · 2026 ✦ ✦ N° 69 2026
Changdeokgung

A Joseon Dynasty royal palace from 1405 in central Seoul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose wooden halls follow the hilly terrain rather than a symmetrical axis. Visitors pass through gates and courtyards to the throne hall, royal residential quarters and a rear garden with ponds and pavilions.

Highlights

  • Injeongjeon Hall throne room
  • Donhwamun Gate
  • Secret Garden (Huwon)

Good to know

  • Secret Garden needs separate ticket, guided tour
  • Garden tickets limited, book ahead
  • Free entry when wearing hanbok

Also in Asia

  1. Summer Palace N° 45 Summer Palace Beijing, China Palace
  2. Potala Palace N° 46 Potala Palace Lhasa, China Palace
  3. Grand Palace N° 52 Grand Palace Bangkok, Thailand Palace
  4. Katsura Imperial Villa N° 59 Katsura Imperial Villa Kyoto, Japan Villa
  5. Gyeongbokgung Palace N° 76 Gyeongbokgung Palace Seoul Palace
  6. Nijō Castle N° 80 Nijō Castle Kyoto, Japan Castle