Culture Track · Joseon Palaces

Seoul's Five Grand Palaces of Joseon

Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung — the five palaces that hosted 500 years of the Joseon dynasty, laid out with their founding years, signature halls, visitor information, and Korean-history exam points.

🏯 Palace Cards

📊 The Five Palaces at a Glance

Palace Founded Role Signature hall In one line
Gyeongbokgung 1395 Main palace Geunjeongjeon Joseon's foremost palace, named by Jeong Do-jeon; rebuilt by the Heungseon Daewongun after burning in the Imjin War
Changdeokgung 1405 Detached palace (East Palace) Injeongjeon Its Huwon rear garden blends into nature; the palace kings lived in longest · UNESCO World Heritage (1997)
Changgyeonggung 1483 Residential palace (East Palace) Myeongjeongjeon Built for the royal elders; demoted by Japan into 'Changgyeongwon' with a zoo and botanical garden
Deoksugung 1593 Korean Empire's main palace Junghwajeon · Seokjojeon Where Western-style stone halls coexist; Gojong returned here after the Agwan Move and proclaimed the Korean Empire
Gyeonghuigung 1616 Detached palace (West Palace) Sungjeongjeon The western palace, largely demolished during Japanese rule and much reduced in scale