The Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung offers a graceful blend of history, nature, and tranquility in the heart of the city. Starting from Seoul Station, this one-day itinerary lets you walk through royal palaces that have silently preserved the rhythm of the Joseon Dynasty. It’s one of the best ways for international visitors to experience both the modern and timeless sides of Seoul.
1. Starting from Seoul Station – A Calm Morning Departure
Begin your morning around 9 AM from Seoul Station. Take Subway Line 4 toward Hyehwa or transfer to Line 3 for Anguk Station — this part of the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung takes about 30 minutes. Leaving the busy platforms, you’ll notice the city slowly quieting down as you approach the palace area.
Before starting the day, check your walking route between Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung. These two palaces are conveniently connected, only a 10- to 15-minute walk apart. Even in the middle of the city, the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung surrounds you with calm courtyards and tall pine trees, offering a peaceful start to your journey.
• The distance from Seoul Station to Changdeokgung Palace is about 5 kilometers, and it takes around 30 minutes by public transportation.
2. Changdeokgung – A UNESCO World Heritage Site with Living Silence
Among all the Joseon-era palaces, Changdeokgung — a highlight of the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung — is loved for its harmony with nature. The moment you pass the main gate, Injeongjeon Hall welcomes you with its dignified symmetry, while Seonjeongjeon Hall offers a more private glimpse into royal life. Walking along the stone paths, I could almost feel the weight of centuries beneath my feet.
Don’t miss the Secret Garden (Huwon). I joined the 11 AM guided tour — sunlight shimmered on the pond, and the soft sound of leaves brushing in the wind created a sense of stillness hard to describe. It was at that moment I understood why this is considered the heart of any Seoul travel route to Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung.
3. Lunch Break – A Taste of Tradition in Insadong
After exploring the palace grounds along the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung, walk toward Insadong or Anguk-dong for lunch. These neighborhoods are filled with Korean restaurants offering dishes like bibimbap and hanjeongsik (Korean full-course meals).
Dining in a traditional wooden house felt like continuing the royal story I had just stepped out of. For foreign visitors, it’s an easy yet authentic way to experience Korean dining culture.
• Choe Daegamne (Traditional Korean Cuisine)
Choe Daegamne is a wonderful lunch spot I highly recommend. Located in a 100-year-old hanok, it offers a calm and elegant atmosphere where you can enjoy well-balanced, beautifully presented Korean set meals.
Signature dishes include Lettuce Shabu-shabu Set, Lotus Leaf Braised Short Ribs, and Seafood Crispy Rice Soup — each dish brings out authentic Korean flavors that perfectly harmonize with the traditional wooden interior.
Main Dishes
Lettuce Shabu-shabu Set (for 2 or more) – 22,000 KRW per person
Shabu-shabu Lunch Special – 15,000 KRW
Hot Pot Bulgogi (Lunch Special) – 15,000 KRW per person
They also offer various other set menus, often accompanied by lotus-leaf rice and soybean paste stew, which are simply exceptional. Dining here feels like tasting both Korea’s flavors and its quiet heritage in one experience.
Business Hours: Open until 8:30 PM
Phone: 0507-1401-9355
4. Changgyeonggung – Strolling Through History and Light
After lunch, continue your journey along the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung with a short walk to Changgyeonggung Palace. If Changdeokgung feels formal and serene, Changgyeonggung has a softer, more relaxed charm. The highlight is Chundangji Pond, where the reflection of trees dances gently on the water.
As the sun begins to set, find a spot near Myeongjeongjeon Hall. The palace lights turn on slowly, revealing a poetic contrast of golden roofs against the twilight sky. Because the palace stays open until 9 PM, it’s one of the few places where you can enjoy a night palace walk in Seoul. I remember thinking, “How extraordinary that such stillness exists in the center of Seoul.”
• The distance between Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung is about 990 meters, which takes roughly 15 minutes on foot. The surrounding scenery blends traditional palace architecture with natural landscapes, allowing you to fully sense the atmosphere of the Joseon Dynasty just by walking between the two sites.
5. Returning to Seoul Station – A Quiet Evening Reflection
Around 7 PM, return to Seoul Station. After a full day of wandering through gardens, courtyards, and time itself, I realized that Seoul is not only a modern metropolis but also a city where moments from the past still breathe softly.
The Seoul travel route to Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung is perfect for anyone who wishes to experience tradition within reach of the subway.
6, Admission Fees & Visitor Info for the Seoul Travel Route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung
| Site | Admission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Changdeokgung | 3,000 KRW | Secret Garden tour extra 5,000 KRW |
| Changgyeonggung | 1,000 KRW | Night admission available |
| Royal Palaces + Jongmyo Pass | 6,000 KRW | Valid 6 months, excludes Huwon |
| Free Entry | Hanbok wearers, under 18, over 65 | Applies to foreigners as well |
Tips for the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung
- The Secret Garden requires advance reservation (limited to 100 visitors per session).
- The Combined Royal Palace Pass offers the best value if you plan to visit more than two palaces along the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung.
7, One-Day Route Summary
| Time | Activity | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Depart Seoul Station | Subway Line 4 → Anguk Station |
| 10:00 | Explore Changdeokgung | UNESCO site + Secret Garden tour |
| 13:00 | Lunch in Insadong | Korean set meal in traditional house |
| 14:30 | Visit Changgyeonggung | Chundangji Pond & evening walk |
| 18:30 | Return to Seoul Station | Relax with a coffee near the station |
Source: Naver Map
• The distance from Seoul Station to Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung Palaces is about 7.4 kilometers, which takes around 25 minutes by car. Of course, it may take a bit longer if you use public transportation.
8, Final Thoughts on the Seoul Travel Route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung
Spending a day along the Seoul travel route Changdeokgung Changgyeonggung felt like reading a story written in stone and light. This route may not be flashy, but its quiet grace leaves a deep and lasting impression. If you wish to show someone “the true Seoul” — where history and harmony coexist — this is the journey to take.
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