Changgyeonggung

Changgyeong Palace is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. Originally the Summer Palace of the Goryeo Emperor, it later became one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty.

The palace was originally built as "Suganggung" by King Sejong for his father, Taejong, but in 1483 renovated and enlarged by King Seongjong at which time at which time it received its current name.

During the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese built a zoo, botanical garden, and museum on the site. In 1983 the zoo and botanical garden were removed. Like the other Five Grand Palaces, Changgyeonggung was heavily destroyed by the Japanese.

Composition and buildings

Today its main points of interest are as follows:

  • Honghwamun (main gate) - The palace's main gate faces eastward like the central part of the palace. First built in 1484, it burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and was rebuilt in 1616. A ball pavilion (sipjagak) was built on either side of this two-tiered wooden gate. As you pass through the gate, Okcheongjo Bridge comes into view. Between the arches under the bridge's parapet are carved goblins (dokkaebi) that are intended to ward off evil spirits. Okcheongjo Bridge was built approximately 500 years ago and serves as a symbolic entry to the courtyard. Honghwamun is designated as National Treasure 384.
  • Okcheongyo (bridge) - The bridge was built in 1483. It is 9.9 meters long by 6.6 meters wide and supported by twin arches. Between the arches under the bridge's parapet are carved goblins (dokkaebi) that are intended to ward off evil spirits. Okcheongjo Bridge serves as a symbolic entry to the courtyard. Okcheongyo Bridge is designated as National Treasure 386.
  • Myeongjeongjeon (main hall) - Myeongjeongjeon is the main hall of the palace, where state affairs such as meetings with officials and royal banquets were held. First built in 1484, it was burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592. Rebuilt in 1616, it is the oldest main hall of all the palaces in Seoul. It is smaller than the two-story main halls of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung because it was originally built as living quarters, especially for dowager queens, rather than as a throne hall. Although it is a simple, one-story structure, Myeongjeongjeon was built on an elevated stone yard that imbued it with the dignity of a main hall. Running through the courtyard in front is a three-level walkway whose center path was for the king's use only. Surrounding the entire area is a wall-like structure of single-room units which were used by the royal guards or for royal funerals. Myeongjeongjeon is designated as National Treasure 226.

Munjeongjeon (council hall) - Munjeongjeon is a council hall where the king dealt with routine state affairs. Unlike the throne hall, which faces east, this building faces south. Such a palace layout with a secondary structure facing a different direction than a throne hall is highly unusual in Korea. Munjeongjeon was also used to enshrine royal tablets after funerals. It was dismantled during the Japanese occupation. Munjeongjeon as it stands today was restored in 1986 along with Munjeongjeon Gate and the eastern part of the roofed corridor. According to the nineteenth-century "Painting of the Eastern Palace", Munjeongjeon was partitioned from Sungmundang and Myeongjeongjeon by a wall, and had a small annex; the courtyard was surrounded by a wall-like corridor. This part has not yet been restored.

On May 13, 1762, that courtyard in front of Munjeongjeon witnessed the most tragic incident of the century. It had been reported to King Yeongjo that Crown Prince Sado was mentally ill and behaving erratically. Furious with the Crown Prince, his father ordered him sealed alive in a large rice chest, where he died eight days later at the age of 28. King Yeongjo later became remorseful and gave his son the posthumous title 'Sado' ("thinking in sorrow"). It is believed that Crown Prince Sado was a victim of a conspiracy by his political adversaries.

  • Sungmundang (hall) - At Sungmundang Hall, the king threw banquets to discuss state affairs and classical literature. It is believed to have been built under King Gwanghaegun when Changgyeonggung was first rebuilt. Burned down in 1830, it was rebuilt in autumn of the same year. Its foundation was designed to make the hall appear elevated on sloped ground; the base stones for the front columns were made high, while those in the rear were made low. The name of the building "Sungmundang" writtne by King Yeongjo still hangs at the entrance.
  • Haminjeong (pavilion) - First built in 1633 on the former site of Inyangjeon Hall, Haminjeong as destroyed by fire in 1830 and rebuilt in 1833. The king used this pavilion to receive officials and hold banquets. Haminjeong today is open on all four sides, but as depicted in "Painting of the Eastern Palace", it had walls on three sides.
  • Gyeongchunjeon (hall) - built in 1483, destroyed in 1592, rebuilt in 1616, burnt down in 1830 and again rebuilt in 1834. King Jeongjo and King Heonjong were born here.
  • Hwangyeongjeon (hall) - first built in 1484 during the reign of King Seongjong, destroyed in 1592, rebuilt in 1616, burnt down in 1830 and again rebuilt in 1834.
  • Tongmyeongjeon (hall) - first built in 1484, rebuilt most recently in 1834; main building in the Yeonjo area where kings and their families lived.
  • Chundangji (two ponds) - constructed in 1909, with 366-square-meter island and bridge added in 1984. The smaller pond is 1,107 square meters and the larger one is 6,483 square meters.

References

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Simple Discoveries
25 April 2016
Much less busy than neighboring Changdeokgung Palace and while not as many buildings or as elaborate, you still can gain significant historical perspective of Korea. Worth the visit!
Stephanie Ip
9 February 2016
Although it is meant as a back-up palace, it is definitely worth the visit. The palace area is hugemongous! Also check out the other palace and do the secret garden tour. Can easily fill up your day
korea photo
8 December 2013
Changgyeong Palace is a palace located in Seoul, South Korea. Originally the Summer Palace of the Goryeo King, it later became one of the Five Grand Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty.
HR Han
3 January 2016
서울에서 가장 좋아하는 단풍명소. 입장권이 1000원인데 3개월간 점심시간(12~2시)에 10회 입장권이 3000원. 1달 입장권 10000원(시간 제한 없음). 종로구민 50% 할인(부럽) 나와서 건널목 건너 서울대병원의 옥상정원에서 창경궁을 한번 바라보고 가면 금상첨화!
Winsca HK.Han
8 November 2014
세종이 태종을 위해 만든 궁‥정원이 넓고 멋진 곳‥중국에서 건너온 흔히 볼 수 없는 백송도 자라고 있고, 수백년 자라온듯한 오래된 나무들이 많다‥효자세종의 마음 씀씀이가 느껴진다‥마음속의 많은 번민을 이곳 정원을 거닐며 달랬을 태종의 모습도 보이는 듯하다‥
Seong-Kyun Ji
29 August 2014
창경궁은 조선 성종 대에 영건된 궁궐로 많은 궁중 여성이 머물고 크고 작은 사건이 많았던 곳인데 안타깝게도 일제 강점기 때 궁궐의 9할이 훼손되고 놀이 공원과 동식물원 박물관 등의 위락시설로 변형되어 유지 운영되었고 이후 80년 대 초 중건공사를 통해 일부 보수되나 아직 상당수는 여전히 빈터로 남은 곳이다.
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0.1km from 28-27 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea Get directions
Wed-Thu 8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Fri 7:00 AM–9:00 AM
Sat 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
Sun 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Mon 8:00 AM–9:00 AM

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