How to Visit Changdeokgung Secret Garden (2025 Travel Guide)

Planning to visit Changdeokgung Secret Garden in 2025? Discover how to book tickets, join tours, and explore Korea’s most beautiful royal garden.

Why you should visit Changdeokgung Secret Garden

Changdeokgung Palace was constructed in 1405 during the reign of King Taejong of the Joeson Dynasty(1392–1897), originally built as a secondary palace to Gyeongbokgung, the main palace. It was burned down during the Japanese invasions in the 16th century but was the first royal palace to be restored in 1610. After its reconstruction, Changdeokgung served as the primary royal residence for about 270 years, until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung.

Changdeokgung was closely connected to Changgyeonggung Palace, and together they were referred to as “Donggwol” (the Eastern Palaces, relative to Gyeongbokgung). Different from the rigid and formal structures of other royal palaces, Changdeokgung was designed to harmonize naturally with its surrounding landscape. This unique architectural style earned it the reputation of being the “most Korean” of the Joseon palaces, and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Tucked behind the majestic Changdeokgung Palace lies the Changdeokgung Secret Garden, a place once reserved exclusively for Korean royalty. Covering nearly 78 acres, the garden is famous for its naturalistic design, historic pavilions, beautiful ponds, and ancient trees. Whether you visit during the cherry blossoms of spring, the lush of summer, the autumn leaves, or even a winter snowfall, the Secret Garden never fails to impress.

If you’re searching for how to visit Changdeokgung Secret Garden, it’s important to note that you cannot simply walk in — access is only allowed through timed admission. Planning ahead is essential!

Admission and Tours for Changdeokgung and the Secret Garden

The first thing you should know is that admission to Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden is separate. Even if you already have a ticket for the Secret Garden, you’ll still need a general admission ticket for Changdeokgung itself. However, if you’ve secured your Secret Garden ticket in advance, getting a Changdeokgung ticket on-site is easy. You can simply buy one at the ticket booth, and competition for palace-only tickets is very low.

Ticket Fees(2025):

• Changdeokgung Palace Admission: ₩3,000 (ages 19–64)
  • Children age 18 and under, Seniors over 65 have free admission
• Secret Garden Ticket(in addition to palace admission)
  • Adults: ₩5,000
  • Youth (7–18 years): ₩2,500

Official Reservation Site: 👉 Reserve your Secret Garden tickets here

※ Be sure to check your ticket time carefully! Admission for the Secret Garden is only allowed at the specific time listed on your ticket.

If you’re in the mood for a more memorable experience, consider wearing a hanbok — traditional Korean clothing. There are many hanbok rental shops near the palace. If you wear a hanbok when you visit, your admission to Changdeokgung Palace will be free (although the Secret Garden ticket must still be purchased separately). Plus, it’s a great way to take beautiful photos and create lasting memories!

Alternatively, if you’re not planning to dress up, no pressure — the palace admission fee is affordable. Also, if your trip to Seoul happens to fall around the end of a month, remember that the last Wednesday of each month is designated as Culture Day. On Culture Day, admission to the palace area is free, so it’s worth keeping that in mind when planning your itinerary.

Guided Tours and Schedules

Joining a guided tour is highly recommended if you want to get the most out of your visit. The Secret Garden tour lasts about 70 to 90 minutes, depending on the season, and provides fascinating insights into the history, architecture, and hidden stories of the garden.

Secret Garden Guided Tours (English):

• March–November: 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30
• December–February: 10:30, 11:30, 14:30

Other Language Tours:

• Japanese: 13:30 (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday)
• Chinese: 12:30 (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

If you’re interested, there are also free English guided tours for the palace area: Year-round at 10:15 and 13:15

Changdeokgung Palace Opening Hours

Opening hours vary depending on the season:

• February–May / September–October: 09:00–18:00 (last admission 17:00)
• June–August: 09:00–18:30 (last admission 17:30)
• November–January: 09:00–17:30 (last admission 16:30)

Save Money with the Royal Palace Pass

If you’re planning to visit multiple palaces during your trip to Seoul, you might want to consider getting the Royal Palace Pass. It’s a really good deal, especially if you love exploring historical sites.

The Royal Palace Pass costs ₩6,000 and grants you admission to four major palaces plus Jongmyo Shrine: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace (※ Secret Garden not included), Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace

You can purchase the pass at the ticket office of any of the four palaces or at Jongmyo Shrine itself. The pass is valid for six months from the date of purchase, so it’s flexible even if you’re spreading your sightseeing over a few days.

How to Get to Changdeokgung Secret Garden

Getting to Changdeokgung Palace is pretty easy. It’s located right in the heart of Seoul, and the palace is within walking distance from two major subway stations which connect to multiple lines:

• Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) Exit 3 → 5-minute walk
• Jongno 3-ga Station (Seoul Subway Lines 1, 3, 5) Exit 7 → 10-minute walk

Once you exit either station, just follow the signs toward Changdeokgung — it’s very straightforward, and you’ll likely spot directional signs in both Korean and English.
The palace is located at 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, easy to find. If you’re using Naver Map or Google Maps, simply typing “Changdeokgung Palace” will bring you right to the front entrance.

For a smoother visit, I recommend arriving a little early, especially if you have reserved tickets for the Secret Garden. Take some time to explore the main palace grounds first, then make sure to be at the entrance of the Secret Garden right on time for your reserved tour.

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There’s a reason I write about Changdeokgung Palace and its Secret Garden even before Gyeongbokgung, the main palace. While Gyeongbokgung impresses with its scale, Changdeokgung offers a more quieter atmosphere and a and a deeper connection to nature. If you have time for only one palace on your trip to Seoul, I truly believe Changdeokgung — and especially the Secret Garden — is the experience you won’t want to miss.

Also, if you enjoy places that combine nature and history, there’s another spot I highly recommend: Olympic Park, located in the eastern part of Seoul. Olympic Park is tied to Korea’s more modern history — it was built to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, a pivotal event that helped shape Korea’s global image. You can read more about Olympic Park here on my blog here.