Exploring Deoksugung Palace: A Winter Visit
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Exploring Deoksugung Palace and the Stone Wall Path
I had only heard stories about the Deoksugung Stone Wall Path,
which is also mentioned in the lyrics of Lee Moon-sae's song "Gwanghwamun Sonata".
Every time I visit Seoul, I try to include a trip to the palaces in my itinerary.
Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, and next is Deoksugung!!!
History and Atmosphere of Deoksugung
When I visit the palaces that I see on TV every day,
it's fascinating to walk along the paths and buildings that have been touched by countless people over the years.
Deoksugung, once known as Gyeongun Palace, was where King Gojong spent the latter part of his life.
It was also the place where he passed away.
Deoksugung hosted the coronation ceremony of Emperor Sunjong!
Winter Visit and First Impressions
Due to the cold weather, there weren't many people around.
I bundled up in a scarf and gloves and took a stroll around Deoksugung.
Though my hands were trembling as I held the map,
I couldn't memorize all the buildings, but I revisited the map while writing this blog post.
Deoksugung feels a bit more modern compared to Gyeongbokgung.
In particular, the Seokjojeon and the contemporary art museum have an exotic charm that looks great in photos.
The clear blue sky without a single cloud was a true sign of the cold winter weather.
National Museum of Modern Art at Deoksugung
Inside Deoksugung, the modern art museum had an exhibition,
but it was so cold that just getting inside was the goal.
The National Museum of Modern Art at Deoksugung was clean and quiet.
There were quite a few people like me who came to escape the cold for a while.
Dondeokjeon: The Most Memorable Building
Entering the old buildings in Deoksugung felt wonderful.
The most noticeable building was Dondeokjeon!
It served as the royal guest house during the Korean Empire.
Although it was reconstructed, the building's appearance was beautiful!
Inside, there was an exhibition using light.
The entrance had a lovely color scheme.
The colors of the walls and tiles in Deoksugung were strikingly beautiful.
In the past, Dondeokjeon hosted the coronation ceremony of Emperor Sunjong.
Even though the building was reconstructed, I hope it retains the old charm.
The area of Deoksugung is spacious, but the buildings are scattered, which was a bit disappointing.
Upon entering Dondeokjeon, there was a long hallway on both sides.
What stood out the most were the tiles on the floor and the windows.
The autumn leaves visible through the windows were particularly beautiful.
Dondeokjeon was the prettiest building among those in Deoksugung!
I wanted to sit on the cushions during the light exhibition and enjoy it for a long time.
Seasonal Tips and Jeonggwanheon
I wanted to stay in Deoksugung long enough to see the buildings lit up at night,
but it was too cold...
If you plan to visit Deoksugung,
I recommend going in spring or autumn.
These days, there are many programs, experiences, and exhibitions in the palaces.
Especially, Deoksugung is associated with King Gojong!
And when you think of King Gojong, you think of coffee, right?
One of the exotic buildings in Deoksugung is Jeonggwanheon.
In winter, it seems there are no outdoor programs.
From the front, Jeonggwanheon had a somewhat neglected feel, so I took a side photo!
It was one of the exotic buildings in Deoksugung.
The offerings may vary by season,
but I think there was a coffee experience as well.
I plan to visit again when the weather gets warmer!
This time, I want to see the buildings illuminated at night!
Stone Wall Path and Closing Thoughts
I also walked along the stone wall path after leaving Deoksugung.
But since it was my first time, I took a wrong turn!
I couldn't capture the beautiful stone wall path that appears in the song lyrics or on TV!
Next time, I will research more and capture it beautifully.
I'll let you know when I visit the palaces in Seoul again!
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