Day 1 – entrance to secret gardens biwon 秘苑, and to Changgyeonggung 창경궁 昌慶宮
we came to seoul to catch what remains of autumn colours.
& our main objective for this visit to changdeokgung was biwon密苑secret gardens. ^^
Day 1 – online reservation of guide tour for biwon秘苑secret gardens
we made an online reservation for english guided tour at 1.30pm.
so after a quick walk around at changgyeonggung next to it,
we were waiting for the guide at the entrance. 🙂
Day 1 – biwon秘苑ecret gardens
Day 1 biwon秘苑secret gardens
nice colours at the entrance.
especially a vibrant red maple.
Day 1 – arriving at Buyongji Pond (부용지) area: Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루
we had a great, competent lady guide.
spoke good english, told great stories & good sense of humour, very relax & confident guide.
Day 1 – Buyongji Pond (부용지) area: the lotus flower pond & Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루
the first point of interest was Buyongji Pond (부용지) 芙蓉池 the lotus flower pond & Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루.
Day 1 – Buyongji Pond (부용지) area: the lotus flower pond & Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루
this the photo often captured in the guides.
it’s a 2-storey wooden building – imperial library on level one, & a hall for study & debates on level 2.
Day 1 – Buyongji Pond (부용지) area: the lotus flower pond & Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루
opposite Juhamnu Pavilion 주합루 was another pavilion, where the columns supposed to look like a man sitting.
i did not take photo. the guide was talking about heaven, earth & man 天地人。
Day 1 – Yeonghwadang 영화당 – civil service examination hall
on the side atop a clearing area where candidates to become officials in the joseon dynasty assembled, was Yeonghwadang 영화당 – civil service examination hall.
Day 1 – biwon密苑secret gardens
we continued in the lovely garden.
Day 1 – red maple @ biwon秘苑ecret gardens
a maple in incredible vibrant red spread out before us.
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
another nice pavilion.
Day 1 – biwon秘苑ecret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑ecret gardens
Day 1 – aeryeonji pond, biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – aeryeonji pond, biwon秘苑secret gardens
the guide led us to a second pond,Aeryeonji Pond. where the pavilion was under restoration.
there is a stone gate Bullomun. the writing inscription (meant for the king) wishes those who pass through it a long and healthy life.
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
Day 1 – Gwanramjeong Pavilion 관람정 and Bandoji Pond 반도지
next we got to the Bandoji Pond 반도지.
Day 1 – Gwanramjeong Pavilion 관람정 and Bandoji Pond 반도지
& the Gwanramjeong Pavilion 관람정.
such a wonderfully serene & pretty sight. ^^
Day 1 – biwon秘苑secret gardens
the guided tour took nearly 1.5hrs. anyone can leave the group once the tour started & visit the gardens at one’s own pace till the closing time at 4.30pm.
we wanted to visit gyeongbokgung so did not stay longer.
c.h.e.f andy
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Directions:
| Location | Period | Tickets Sales | Operating Hours |
| Palace Building Area (General tour) |
Feb. – May/ Sept. – Oct. |
09:00 – 17:00 | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| June – August | 09:00 – 17:30 | 09:00 – 18:30 | |
| Nov. – Jan. | 09:00 – 16:30 | 09:00 – 17:30 | |
| Secret Garden | Mar. – May/ Sept. – Oct |
09:00 – 16:00 | 10:00 – 17:30 |
| June – August | 09:00 – 16:30 | 10:00 – 18:00 | |
| Nov. – Jan. | 09:00 – 15:00 | 10:00 – 16:30 | |
| Feb. | 09:00 – 15:30 | 10:00 – 17:00 |
*Closed on Mondays
c.h.e.f 