Walking Through Changdeokgung With My Kids: Their Grandfather’s Palace

After our pottery workshop in Insadong, we walked to nearby Changdeokgung Palace. This was more than another stop on a Seoul itinerary. My father had worked there from the early 1990s, and I often visited him at the palace when I was young. Decades later, I returned as a father and told Hyesom and Bokyeong about the years their grandfather had spent there.

Our spontaneous Seoul day-trip series

1. Our daughters’ first KTX ride and Insadong pottery workshop
2. Walking through Changdeokgung, where their grandfather worked
3. A long walk and family dinner at Gwangjang Market

Familiar to me, completely new to my daughters

As a child, I first understood Changdeokgung simply as the place where my father worked. Returning with my own children changed the view. To them, every gate, painted beam, and broad courtyard was new. To me, the same spaces carried an earlier layer of family life.

Telling their grandfather’s story, one gate at a time

As we moved through the palace, I kept telling the girls, “This is where your grandfather worked for many years.” They did not need to memorize every building name. The idea that their grandfather had passed through these gates on ordinary workdays made the palace feel personal.

Injeongjeon beneath an extraordinary sky

The weather that inspired our journey looked even more dramatic over Injeongjeon, Changdeokgung’s main throne hall. The girls crossed the wide stone courtyard, sometimes walking and sometimes breaking into a run. Their movement made the formal palace space feel alive.

When we looked inside, the royal throne and the painted Irworobongdo screen slowed everyone down for a moment. A palace image from books had become a physical room in front of them.

Meeting their aunt in Seoul

My wife’s only sister, who lives in Seoul, joined us at Changdeokgung. Our impulsive family trip suddenly included one more person. For the girls, the visit became both a palace outing and valuable time with their aunt.

Why we turned back before Changgyeonggung

I had hoped to continue toward Changgyeonggung, where my mother had worked. Walking from their grandfather’s workplace toward their grandmother’s felt like the right conclusion to the palace visit.

But the girls had already taken a train and subway, walked around Insadong, painted pottery, and crossed much of Changdeokgung. When they said their legs hurt, we turned back. It was a useful reminder that a family itinerary should follow the children’s energy, not an adult’s wish to complete every stop.

Changdeokgung visitor information for 2026

• Address: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• Closed: Mondays; holiday substitution rules may apply
• Palace hours: 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. from February to May and September to October; 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. from June to August; 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. from November to January
• Last admission: One hour before closing
• General palace admission: KRW 3,000 for foreign adults ages 19–64; official age-based and other exemptions apply
• Secret Garden: A separate timed and capacity-limited ticket is required
• Subway: About five minutes on foot from Anguk Station Exit 3, or about ten minutes from Jongno 3-ga Station Exit 7
• Parking: No dedicated visitor parking; public transportation is recommended

Secret Garden tickets are limited. The official palace information says advance online sales begin at 10:00 a.m. six days before the visit, excluding the visit date, and continue until the previous day while seats remain. Same-day tickets go on sale at 9:00 a.m. Tour times vary by season and language.

Tips for visiting Changdeokgung with children

• Allow one to two hours for the main palace area, with extra time for breaks.
• Wear comfortable shoes for stone paths and large courtyards.
• Carry water, hats, and sun protection in warm weather.
• Focus on a few memorable buildings or stories instead of forcing children to absorb every historical detail.
• If you also want to see Changgyeonggung or the Secret Garden, consider a separate visit for younger children.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a family spend at Changdeokgung?

One to two hours is a practical range for the main palace area, but younger children may need more breaks. Add substantial time if you have a timed Secret Garden visit.

Can I enter the Secret Garden whenever I want?

No. Entry is limited by time and capacity, and a separate ticket is required. Check the official reservation page for the date and language you need.

Is there parking at Changdeokgung?

The palace’s official directions state that there is no dedicated parking facility. Anguk and Jongno 3-ga subway stations are the most practical approaches.

When a workplace becomes family history

The best part of this visit was not the number of halls we managed to see. It was returning to a place I had visited as a child and explaining to my daughters that their grandfather had spent many working years there. We did not reach Changgyeonggung, but that unfinished plan gave us a reason to return.

Our final goal was Gwangjang Market for yukhoe tangtangi, bindaetteok, and other famous foods. First, however, five tired people had to find a way there—and the large taxi we needed would not come.

Next: A long walk and family dinner at Gwangjang Market →

Editorial note: This account is based on our visit on August 28, 2022. Hours, admission, closures, Secret Garden booking rules, and transport details were checked against the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center on September 3, 2026. Recheck the official website before visiting.

Official sources: Opening hours · Admission fees · Directions