Why Korea’s favorite royal palace was built to avoid a painful past

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Established in 1405, Changdeokgung became the preferred residence for Joseon kings, often overshadowing the official main palace, Gyeongbokgung. While Gyeongbokgung held legal superiority, many monarchs favored Changdeokgung for its superior feng shui and distance from the political pressures of the capital's central government offices.

Changdeokgung, or the Palace of Prospering Virtue, was commissioned by King Taejong as a secondary palace. Scholars suggest Taejong sought to distance himself from Gyeongbokgung, which he associated with traumatic familial deaths and inauspicious energy. By relocating to Changdeokgung, the monarch gained a degree of independence from the intense political scrutiny of the government ministries clustered around the primary palace. This preference persisted for centuries, especially after the 1592 Imjin War, when budgetary constraints prevented the repair of Gyeongbokgung, leaving Changdeokgung as the de facto center of royal life.

The palace is celebrated for its harmonious integration with the natural landscape, a feature that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997. Unlike the rigid north-south axis of Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung follows a west-to-east orientation, adapting to the local topography. Its Secret Garden, or Huwon, serves as a testament to this design philosophy, housing over 160 species of trees, including many specimens older than 300 years. The garden was not merely a leisure space; it hosted military drills, civil service examinations, and state ceremonies, reflecting the palace's multifaceted role in Korean history.

The 20th century brought significant upheaval. Following the 1910 Japanese colonization, the palace underwent extensive alterations, including the demolition of numerous buildings. A devastating fire in 1917 destroyed the naejŏn area, leading to further reconstruction efforts that recycled materials from other royal sites. Despite these challenges, the palace remained a symbol of the monarchy. Even after the 1945 liberation, members of the former imperial family continued to reside in parts of the complex, such as the Nakseon-jae hall, until the late 20th century. Today, it stands as one of the best-preserved examples of Far Eastern palace architecture.

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