The palace was originally named Suganggung, a residence built for the retired King Sejong.
During the Japanese colonial period, the palace was demoted to a park and zoo known as Changgyeongwon.
The Grand Greenhouse, built in 1909, is the first Western-style greenhouse in Korea and features a steel-and-glass iron frame design.
King Yeongjo famously confined his son, Crown Prince Sado, in a wooden rice chest within the palace courtyard, leading to the prince's death.
The palace orientation differs from standard Joseon palace architecture, as it faces east to follow the natural terrain.
Myeongjeongjeon hall is a National Treasure of South Korea.
The palace houses the Munjeongjeon hall, where the King conducted royal council meetings and academic discussions.
Changgyeonggung Palace, established in 1483 by King Seongjong, served primarily as a residential space for the royal family rather than the seat of state affairs. It is distinguished by its unique integration of traditional Joseon-era architecture with a Western-style greenhouse built during the 1909 Japanese occupation. The palace grounds contain the Myeongjeongjeon, the oldest existing main hall among the five Grand Palaces in Seoul, noted for its relatively modest scale. Throughout its history, the site suffered significant damage during the Imjin War and was later repurposed as a zoo and botanical garden during the early 20th century. Restoration efforts, which began in the 1980s, aimed to return the palace to its original Joseon-period state. The site is connected to the secret garden of Changdeokgung via a rear gate, though access between the two is managed separately. The palace features a large pond called Chundangji, which was converted from a royal rice paddy in the early 1900s.
The glass exterior of the 1909 Grand Greenhouse during the golden hour.
Walk through the rear garden path toward the Chundangji pond for a quieter experience.
Combine your visit with the neighboring Changdeokgung Palace as they share a historic boundary.
Follow the designated walking trails to ensure you do not miss the hidden royal greenhouse.
Do not attempt to enter private administrative buildings; stick to the visitor-marked heritage paths.
Closed every Monday.
Maintain a quiet tone, do not touch structural wood or artifacts, and strictly follow designated walking paths.
