Huwon Secret Garden (후원)

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후원 (hu-won) means rear garden.
비밀 (bi-mil) means secret.

Fun Facts

UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
The Secret Garden contains over 56,000 species of trees and plants.

The Secret Garden, located behind Changdeokgung Palace, was created during the Joseon dynasty and blends harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. Designed with a series of terraces, flowering trees, flowers, a lotus pool, and pavilions this area served as a resting place and retreat for the royal family members. The garden was also occasionally used as an archery range and the location of military drills. Many of the trees in the garden are believed to be over 300 years old. Exploring the gardens, requires joining an official guided tour, during which visitors are led to various highlights including the Juhamnu Pavilion and royal library, the hexagonal-shaped Jondeokjeong Pavilion, and the Aeryeonjeong Pavilion and Lotus pond. Tour participants also pass under the Bulromun Stone Gate, which legend says grants blessings of long life and good health.

Travel Tips

Wear comfortable shoes for the Secret Garden Tour—the tour lasts 90 minutes and some of the paths are rocky and uneven.
Secret Garden Tours can accommodate 100 people. Tickets are sold both online and at the ticket office. Tours in English are only offered a few times a day, so check ahead online.

Address

English: 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hangeul: 서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99

The Juhamnu Pavilion that houses a Royal Library, was my favorite part of the guided tour. The pavilion sits atop a three-tiered garden high above the pond below and stores the writings that were produced by the King. The Eosumun Gate leading up the pavilion was used only by the king—his ministers would use the smaller gates to either side of this main gate—and served as a reminder that as a ruler the King should consider and respect the people he rules. We visited the palace and gardens late in the afternoon after a long day of touring and were very tired. On our tour we met another mother-daughter duo from Singapore that we became fast friends with—we even bumped into them again a few days later at the Garden of Morning Calm!—our new friends also agreed that there was just one too many hills in these gardens. Even though we were tired, making connections like these, helps create lasting memories and new friendships are truly one of the most rewarding parts of travel.

Changdeokgung’s Secret Garden is huge! It is a 78-acre park, full of lotus ponds, ancient trees, flowers, and beautiful pavilions. The setting for each of the 28 pavilions is unique. You have to walk up and down a lot of hills to enter each of the pavilion areas but they are all so different you won’t want to miss any of them. Alyssa and I both loved the two-story Juhamnu Pavilion which was built to store the writings of the king. This library is built at the top of a hill with a large pond in front, and buildings on each side. It is a privilege to visit such a gorgeous setting and special place. If I were royalty, I would definitely have spent time reading books here!