Changgyeonggung Palace

Changgyeonggung Palace Review

Changgyeonggung stands out for its quiet beauty. Constructed in 1418, the palace was originally a residence for former queens of the Joseon Dynasty. Along with the adjacent Changdeokgung Palace, it was referred to as the East Palace. In 1762 the palace was home to one of Korea's famous royal murders. As the story goes, Prince Sado, the heir to the throne, was quite strange. Worried about what would happen should he take power, the emperor lured him into a rice casket in the palace, locking him in until he starved to death. Later, during the Japanese occupation, the palace was home to a zoo and amusement park which lasted until the 1980s. Today, Changgyeonggung has been restored to its former state and although the gate is a bit of a hike, it is well worth a visit to see one of Seoul's serenely landscaped palaces without the crowds of neighboring Changdeokgung.