Gyeonghuigung Palace

Gyeonghuigung Palace

Gyeonghuigung Palace is a palace from the Joseon Dynasty of the Lee family. Located on the western side of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces, it is often referred to as the “Western Palace.” It was once connected to the detached palace Unhyeongung (Deoksugung) by a rainbow bridge. This is where Lee Seong-gye, the founding king of Joseon, lived and it was also known as Sinmun Daegwol. Originally serving as a private residence for the royal family, in the 8th year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign (1616), it was believed that the site possessed royal energy (wanggi), so a detached palace called Gyeongdeokgung was built there to suppress and eliminate this energy. After the Injo Coup, when King Gwanghaegun was ousted from Joseon, the name of the palace was changed to Gyeonghuigung in the 36th year of King Yeongjo’s reign (1760).

During the Japanese colonial period, Gyeonghuigung Palace was demolished to make way for Gyeongseong Middle School, which after liberation became Seoul High School. In 1980, Seoul High School moved to Seocho District, and the site was restored as Seoul Museum of Art. The previously demolished buildings were also reconstructed. Today, the palace preserves structures such as Heunghwamun Gate, Geunjeongmun Bridge, Chongjeongmun Gate, Jajeongmun Gate, and Taenyemun Gate. It has been designated as Historic Site No. 271 by the South Korean government.

Gyeonghuigung

Why you must go: One of Seoul’s oldest historic sites

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Korea[Korea]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Seoul Special City [Seoul Special City]

City where the attraction is located: Jongno-gu [Jongno-gu]