Changdeokgung Palace

Originally built in 1405 this is just one of 5 palaces in South Korea, not only is it stunning to behold, its also filled with fantastic history. The palace was rebuilt in 1610 after the Japanese régime burned it down in 1592 when they invaded Korea. Since its restoration it’s acted as the primary palace for 270 years and has been home to 13 kings.

• Though Koreans have treasured it for centuries, in 1997 UNESCO declared the palace as a world heritage site during a committee meeting in Naples, Italy.

• The palace was built following the contours of the land, in perfect harmony with the natural setting.

• The total grounds are 462,000 square metres and the garden takes up around two thirds of this space.

• The main gate is named Changdeokgung Injeonhmun Gate, which roughly translates to ‘benevolent rule’. The ancient architecture is worth savoring, as it is a masterpiece of Korean design with some noticed western influences.

For more information about this story, visit Korea Tourism Organization’s website: www.visitkorea.org.au
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Our Explore TV team travelled to Korea on Cathay Pacific. To book flights from Australia to Korea, visit: www.cathaypacific.com.au