secret garden tour

• Moscow concerts Moscow concerts Moscow concerts See all Moscow concerts ( Change location ) Today · Next 7 days · Next 30 days
• Most popular artists worldwide
• Trending artists worldwide

• Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

• Sign up Log in

• Get the app
• Moscow concerts
• Change location
• Popular Artists
• Live streams
• Deutsch Português
• Popular artists

Secret Garden  

• On tour: yes
• Secret Garden is not playing near you. View all concerts
• Moscow, Russian Federation Change location

44,582 fans get concert alerts for this artist.

Join Songkick to track Secret Garden and get concert alerts when they play near you.

Nearest concert to you

Frognerseteren Amfi

Touring outside your city

Be the first to know when they tour near Moscow, Russian Federation

Join 44,582 fans getting concert alerts for this artist

Upcoming concerts (2)

Nottingham Secret Garden

Similar artists with upcoming concerts

Tours most with.

Posters (2)

Past concerts

Deluxx Fluxx

View all past concerts

Secret Garden tour dates and tickets 2024-2025 near you

Want to see Secret Garden in concert? Find information on all of Secret Garden’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025.

Secret Garden is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 2 concerts across 2 countries in 2024-2025. View all concerts.

Next 2 concerts:

• Nottingham, UK
• Oslo, Norway

Next concert:

Last concert near you:

Popularity ranking:

• Neu! (7957)
• Secret Garden (7958)
• Someone Still Lo... (7959)

Concerts played in 2024:

Touring history

Most played:

• Hobart (13)
• Peterborough (9)
• Detroit (3)

Appears most with:

• The Starts (13)
• ¡Todo está aquí ! (2)

Distance travelled:

Similar artists

• Most popular charts
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• But we really hope you love us.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

How to Visit Changdeokgung Palace (+ Secret Garden)

Last Updated: Nov 12, 2023 by Max · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Changdeokgung Palace is not the biggest palace in Seoul, but it’s notorious for its unassuming beauty, intriguing both locals and foreigners. Like all palaces in Seoul , the operating hours at Changdeokgung depend on the season you decide to come, but they generally run from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (closed on Mondays). 

Entrance costs ₩10,000 for adults and ₩5,000 for children, and grants you access to all parts of the palace, including the Secret Garden tour (which is available in 3 different languages: English, Japanese, and Korean).

Fast Facts About Changdeokgung

Most palaces in Seoul were made to impress, but Changdeokgung isn’t like that at all. In fact, the first thing you’ll notice is that it more so blends in with the natural topography. Walking the grounds feels like a refuge from the city, which is exactly what it was built for.

Some aristocratic residences, like Nakseonjae Hall, are unique compared to other buildings because they have no dancheong , or multi-colored patterns on the building’s surface. The designs inside are distinct from the usual Korean traditional designs you see on temples and other palaces.

A fascinating fact about this palace is that it’s home to a beautiful (not-so) secret garden in Seoul, also known as Huwon . Here you’ll see a lot of maroon pavilions overlooking ponds, perfect for, well, pondering the important stuff. 

No matter what the season, the garden is absolutely breathtaking. It’s even lovely during the winter ! How to get to Changdeokgung secret garden, however, requires you pay extra for access, but wearing a hanbok reduces your overall entrance fee.

Fun Fact : if you wear a hanbok, you can enter any of the five Grand Seoul Palaces of Seoul for free!

How to Get to Changdeokgung Palace

If you’re planning to visit Changdeokgung, you should be well prepared. The trip takes just 20 minutes from Seoul Station to Anguk Station, leaving from Exit 3.

It is quite a walk (and is about similar to the distance if you use Exit 7 from Jongno-3 Station), but there are plenty of hanbok rentals, cafes & restaurants you can visit before eventually arriving at Donhwamun Gate . There are also free & interesting museums nearby, like the Tteok Museum and the Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music.

Both are good options if you really want to immerse more in Korean culture and practices before coming to the palace. For those who find walking tedious, there are shuttle buses that take you directly to the historical site.

You can find the bus stop in front of Jamong Gold Jewelry Store. To save time and effort to locate it, we recommend you install helpful apps like Naver Map or Kakao Map in your phone.

Another way to get to Changdeokgung is to ride bus 162 or 151 from the Seoul Station bus stop (서올역버스환승센터.강우규의거터 정류장(02007)), taking you to the bus station near the gate (창덕궁.우리소리박물관 정류장 (01199)).

Upon disembarking, you’ll have to cross the road and walk over to the ticketing office on the far left of the gate. You can either use the ticketing machine outside the front door or get in line inside to be assisted by an English-speaking staff member.

Changdeokgung’s muted design and layout give it a historically humble feel during the day. The purpose of this palace is to be one with nature, and the grounds’ feminine allure is largely what entices people to come. When the sun is out, this is the perfect time to take pictures wearing a hanbok. 

Thankfully there are rental shops nearby that you can visit, such as Hanboknam and Changdeokgung Su-Hanbok . You can walk in to rent, but there’s also an option that lets you pick from the website in advance, and they’ll have it ready for you as soon as you arrive.  

Touring Changdeokgung Palace (at Night & Daytime)

Did you know that Changdeokgung Palace is the only Joseon palace that is hailed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? This fact alone makes it a no-brainer why it is worth a visit, but if you need specifics, this section will help you pan out your trip to Changdeokgung.

You can choose from two major tour programs at Changdeokgung. The first one showcases the important parts of the palace, such as the Injeongjeon (main hall) and the Nakseonjae Hall (King’s office). As for the second part, you get to see the parts of the Secret Garden in Seoul, such as the Buyeongji pond, the entrance to the Secret Garden, and even Okryucheon Stream.

It is also possible to do both tours in one day (making it an excellent choice for a Seoul daytrip ), but it is important to keep in mind that some parts can get grueling and uncomfortable due to the trail’s rocky natural terrain.

If you plan to visit Changdeokgung Palace, wear comfortable shoes. Even though there are plenty of rest areas (with vending machines nearby), it takes quite a walk to get from one place to another, and some trails can get pretty steep.

If you need to unload your bags somewhere safe, there are free lockers by the entrance. Don’t worry, they are easy to use. Additionally, don’t forget to bring a hat and slather on sunscreen if the weather is hot. There’s little room for shade on the palace grounds, unless you enter the private chambers or inspect the workers’ quarters.

While this palace is suitable for most kinds of visitors, it is absolutely perfect for couples and solo travelers that want to take long, pensive walks with no interruption. Unfortunately, it is not recommended for families with young children because there are snakes that roam in grassy areas of the forest.

At night, from late April to June, the Changdeokgung Palace hosts a special evening for people who want to visit the Secret Garden. This special tour circles the Jondeokjeong Pavilion, a hexagonal, 2-story roof pavilion near the Korean peninsula-shaped pond.

Sometimes, during random points of the night tour, there will be reenactments of the Joseon royalty taking a peaceful night stroll near the Buyeongji Pond and the Juhamnu Pavilion.

Each stop also has various traditional performances, which range from songs and dances to instrument demonstrations. Another event happens every October at Injeongjeon Hall, where they hold a reenactment of the Gwageo Siheom, or national state examinations of the Goryeo and Joseon periods.

The Secret Garden at Changdeokgung Palace

This is the famous secret garden in Seoul, so you should expect flowers in the spring & summer – but it’s so much more than that. Best enjoyed during spring and autumn, this vibrant garden doubles as a walking trail, which takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

People mainly come to see the Buyeongji and Juhamnu, two structures that have come to represent the Secret Garden thanks to the promotional pictures.

While here, you’ll discover that the Juhamnu has two parts divided by two floors: the Gyujanggak, which served as a research institute to develop policies in support of the king’s reforms, and the reading room on the second floor.

The sound of the water coming from the Buyeongji (Buyeong pond) also provides a therapeutic ambiance, which is reinforced when you stand next to Buyeongjeong Pavilion, which overlooks the pond.

Another fun fact, even though this part is reserved for the King and few of his trusted officials, there were some special cases. Aspiring state officials used to take their state exam in front of the Yeonghwadang Hall.

As you venture deeper, you’ll be taken to Aeryeonjeong Pavilion and the Uiduhap. This is the spot where Crown Prince Hyomyeong underwent academic training and performed duties to support his father, King Sunjo.

Like Nakseonjae Hall, Uiduhap was not adorned with dancheong, probably to reinforce the mood for reading and contemplation. It is also said to be the most "modest" spot in the entire garden due to its colors mimicking the forest hues surrounding it.

After visiting the study area, you’ll see the Yeongyeongdang Complex. This structure is recent compared to the other areas because it was built near the end of the Joseon Dynasty. Initially an audience hall, this is where important figures brought pledges to the King and Queen, offering food, wine, and other luxurious items.

While performances are being held, others can retire to a small library (Seonhyangjae). This library is used by some officials to take refuge from the sun as well as read books until the program ends.

Here you can also learn how the original ondol works. The ondol is a traditional heating system that provides warmth during cold Korean winters – the underground systems trap smoke from a nearby fire to slowly warm the floor above.

Following the paths in the area reveals plenty of nature walks that lead to ponds and small waterfalls. But perhaps the most memorable one is the Ongnyucheon, which is a stream that is perfectly shaped like the letter U. 

This stream is also where the King was known to play games with his top officials. He would send wine cups from the top part of the channel for his subjects to catch. If they failed to do so, they’d have to drink three times — which by Korean drinking standards isn’t really a punishment.

You can also find the “Soyoam Rock” above the stream. Inscribed is a poem about the gorgeous Ongnyucheon landscape, said to be authored by King Sukjong himself.

Best Picture Spots at Changdeokgung Palace

• Donhwamun Gate

This is a two-story wooden gate that not only provides passage into Changdeokgung Palace, but is also used for surveillance. You can pose on the wide stone bridge in front of the gate, which will include the billowing trees and the vibrant flowers planted near parts of the wall.

• Injeongjeon (Hall of Benevolent Rule)

This is the throne hall of Changdeokgung, where they hold major state events like the coronation ceremony and the state banquets for foreign delegates. You can’t enter the hall, but you can pose on the platform in front of it to show off the throne behind you.

Here, you’ll see the best of Korean Architecture. The best places to appreciate this style is in the courtyard and the terraced garden that leads to Maebong Peak.

• Seonjeongjeon

Inside Seonjeongjeon lies a narrow colonnaded area that once served as a royal funeral site. It’s known to be the only remaining funerary building in any of the still-standing Seoul palaces. It may not be the typical "best picture spot," but it’s evidence of being inside a rare historical spot.

• The Staircases between the Tongmyongheon & Yanghwadang and the Yeongchunheon & Jipbokheon buildings

Since this is the area where the queen & the concubines used to stay, there is a large staircase (with a slippery stone formation before the first step) that takes you to an elevated path that showcase this vast residential ground.

If you stand on top of the staircase, facing the trail, it makes for a nice photo that includes the houses below, as well as the view of the Seoul skyscrapers and N-Seoul Tower behind you. Then you can have someone take a picture of you from below so that the nice, billowing trees of the hiking trail are included in the shot.

• Gate of Eternal Youth

Within the Secret Garden lies the stone-framed gate of eternal youth. Inscribed on top of it are three Chinese characters that identify it as such. Not only that, once you pass by this gate, you will be blessed with a long life. Whether this is true or not, this is a perfect place to take a hanbok selfie because it looks like an old-timey frame.

How to Rent a Hanbok Near Changdeokgung Palace

As I have mentioned earlier, the 10-minute walk that takes you to the palace has a lot of hanbok rental places. Below is a list of the ones that have a hassle-free transaction as well as good customer reviews. You can also negotiate to have these sent to you via courier, or you can just pick them up personally from the store. 

My opinion is that if you plan to spend a whole day in Changdeokgung Palace, or you have plans to move from one place to another, a whole-day rental makes a lot of sense. However there are options that let you borrow hanboks for just an hour or two.

The only downside is that their websites are in Korean, so you’ll have to use Papago to make the process easier.

Addess: 2F Hostel Korea (호스텔코리아 창덕궁점), 85, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03131

A 24-hour hanbok rental for a single person can cost between ₩50,000 and ₩200,000, while rentals for couples can cost between ₩99,000 and ₩220,000. A child’s hanbok ranges from ₩40,000 to ₩50,000.

If you have a Discover Seoul Pass , you can enjoy a 20% discount on any kind of hanbok, as well as use their hairstyling service. You can pay in cash on the spot or through online banking, though foreigners are just recommended to pay in cash or book in advance .

• Changdeokgung Su-Hanbok

Address: 서울특별시 종로구 돈화문로 98, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03134

This is a convenient hanbok rental service near Changdeokgung Palace. Aside from being the closest, there are plenty of styles you can choose from, and all you have to do is walk in; there’s no need to reserve in advance.

Prices depend on the style you’ve chosen, but it should be similar to Hanboknam’s. However if you’re looking for a specific style, it wouldn’t hurt to inquire directly by calling their number: 02-747-2546.

Where to Eat Near Changdeokgung Palace

If you’re looking for places to eat near Changdeokgung Palace, here are three of the best locations with varying specialties:

This restaurant opens an hour before lunch and closes around 10 PM. They take their break from 3 PM to 5 PM, so come around lunch time. The ambiance feels a lot like an outdoor hanok garden, and you get plenty of food for only ₩22,000.

The basic set menu includes fancy Korean dishes like octopus, fish, and soybean paste soup ( dwaenjang ); try their glutinous rice wine while you’re at it. For more details, visit Newijo’s website .

• Italy Budae Jjigae

If you’re looking for something filling, it’s always a guarantee that a bowl of budae jjigae will do the trick. This is a spicy sausage stew so-named because it was a  filling meal for Korean soldiers in years past, made using rations stolen from US military bases.

Now a dish enjoyed by all, locals and foreigners can enjoy this meal for just ₩9,000. If you feel like splurging, their stir-fried webfoot octopus and pork belly set is a divine combination that’ll set you back just ₩30,000 . More information about their menu can be found on their website .

• Baan Khun Kwan

For a more vegetarian-friendly option, this is an amazing restaurant that serves mouthwatering kao pad thai fried rice. That dish and all the rest of their food takes your tastebuds all the way to Thailand. Moreover, this is the best place to try unique spices not usually used in Korean food. 

Things to Do near Changdeokgung Palace

One thing you will appreciate about Changdeokgung is that not a lot of people come to visit. This may normally be seen as a downside, but the lack of crowds just means there are no lines to do some of my favorite activities near Changdeokgung Palace.

1. Tteok Museum (Institute of Traditional Korean Food)

Next to kimchi, the food Koreans are best known for is tteokbokki . In this free museum, you can see the various kinds of tteok (rice cakes) prepared for every kind of season and occasion.

Here you’ll also get to know the ingredients and tools used to make the delicious rice cakes, and learn what enhances their flavor, texture, and other fun facts about this beloved dish.

2. Find the Taesil

As you walk through the hiking trail, you eventually see this small pagoda made out of stone and may wonder what it is. The Taesil, also known as the "placenta chamber," is a stone monument that can be found anywhere in Korea.

But the one in Changdeokgung Palace is the best-preserved of all the royal Taesils. Back then, the royal family believed that putting their newborn’s placenta would guarantee a fortuitous life for the child. Inside, multiple stone plates identify whose placenta is stored within.

3. Son Donhwamun Traditional Theater

This modernized hanok theater faces Changdeokgung Palace, specializing in acoustic sounds of traditional music. The inside consists of an impressive wooden theater, a studio, the gugak madang (courtyard), and a cafeteria.

When you come here, the first thing you’ll notice is that this fan-shaped auditorium’s structure enhances the reverberation, and the sound quality is so clear that even small movements can be heard from the back of the hall. See the upcoming performances by visiting the Son Donhwamun Traditional Theater’s website .

4. Seoul Museum of Korean Folk Music

There’s another petite hanok building across Changdeokgung where you can experience the traditional instruments used to create beautiful melodies used in Korean folk music. Stepping into this museum also sets the tone.

It lets you listen to songs fishermen used to sing to boost their morale as they yanked heavy nets full of fish, or even the humming of women tasked with extracting silk from silkworms in the late Joseon Period.

Inside, there’s a virtual database that lets you listen to a range of 20,000 pieces of Korean folk music and learn about almost 6,000  musical instruments. It really is an admirable endeavor by the Korean government to keep their culture preserved.

5. Try to tell the time using the Angbuilgu

The Angbuilgu, or the "hemispherical sundial", used to be the most widely used astronomical scientific device in the Joseon Dynasty. It is a pot-shaped sundial, very different from the image of the sundial we are used to.

These unusually-shaped things have been around since the mid-1400s, sometime around the 16th year of King Sejong’s reign. You can find one on the elevated palace trail, somewhere near the resting area connected to the large stone staircases.

Even if you’re not a big fan of the Joseon Dynasty, it is still a good choice to swing by Changdeokgung on your visit to Seoul. There you can see how a palace in Seoul can still look grand without overdoing the traditional flair most Korean architecture is known for.

Plus, it's a great refuge from the overwhelming sounds of the city to enter the famous Secret Garden in Seoul.

Sharing is caring!

Reader Interactions

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Hotel Deals!

Hot hotel deals.

• Travel Guide
• Art Galleries
• Historic Homes & Buildings
• Historic Sites
• Lighthouses
• Newport Mansions
• Historical & preservation societies
• Marinas & Harbors
• Motorized Charter
• Family Favorite Beaches
• Hidden Gem Beaches
• State Beaches
• Lakes & Ponds
• Dog-Friendly Beaches
• Music & clubs
• Performing arts
• Spectator sports
• Drive-in movie theaters
• Indoor activities
• Pick Your Own
• Nature & science
• Parks & trails
• Winter outdoor fun
• Spa & wellness
• What to do in Rhode Island now
• This Weekend
• Newport Family Summer Getaway
• Summer Like a Vanderbilt
• Rhody Art & History Immersion
• Urban Family Escape
• Ocean State Biking Adventure
• Northern RI Arts & Culture
• Coastal Family Fun
• Block Island Retreat
• Ocean State Food & Drink Tour
• Arts & Culture Family Experience
• Great Outdoors Family Adventure
• Family Fun & Games
• Newport Arts & Culture Experience
• Central-Northern RI Arts & Culture Experience
• The Rhody Mix Experience
• Block Island/ New Shoreham
• Broadway, Newport
• Chepachet Village
• Downtown Westerly
• Garden City, Cranston
• Hope Street, Providence
• Main Street, East Greenwich
• Thames Street, Newport
• Westminster Street, Providence
• Wickenden Street, Providence
• Wickford Village
• Unplugged on Block Island
• Cocktails & Culture
• Boos & Brews
• Take a Hike
• Birds Flock Here in the Fall
• Early Black History in Providence
• Nature & Luxury in South County
• Upscale Romance in Newport
• Newport with Your Squad
• Fun & Frugal Winter Break
• A Classic Coastal Christmas
• Winter Family Fun in Northern Rhode Island
• Shop like a local
• This weekend
• Springtime in Rhode Island
• Free events
• May 2024 Events in Rhode Island
• Submit Events
• Annual Fairs, Festivals & Events
• June 2024 Events in Rhode Island
• Hotels & motels
• Bed and breakfasts, inns & guesthouses
• Rentals & reservation services
• Waterfront Campgrounds
• State Campgrounds
• Delivery & takeout
• Clam shacks
• Coffee & cafes
• Desserts & ice cream
• Outdoor Dining
• Bars & Pubs
• Breweries & distilleries
• Vineyards & Wineries
• Speakeasies
• Blackstone Valley
• Block Island
• Newport County
• South County
• Warwick & West Bay
• Tourist info centers
• Travel guide
• Airports & airlines
• Car rentals
• Electric vehicle charging stations
• Rhode Island Public Transit (RIPTA)
• Colleges & universities
• #VisitRhodeIsland
• Special Offers Form
• Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport
• Rhode Island in the news
• Move your business here
• Celebrate Pride in RI
• Accessibility in RI
• International
• Tourism News

Secret Garden Tours

• Secret Garden Tours, Benefactors of the Arts, PO Box 742, Newport, RI 02840
• (401) 835-1110

Additional Information

Tour subject.

All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website, however it is subject to change. Information is updated in an ongoing manner in partnership with local tourism offices, individual businesses and organizations and via a direct feed from goprovidence.com, discovernewport.org, southcountyri.com and Yelp.com.

• Industry Partner
• Leisure Travel

• Story Ideas
• Fun-Sized Rhode Island
• Rhode Island in the News
• Free Travel Guide
• Contact Visit Rhode Island
• What's New in Rhode Island
• Downton Abbey Lifestyle
• Rhode Island Foodways
• Hidden Gems
• Fall Enchantment
• Image Library
• Meetings & Conventions
• Privacy Policy
• Partner Portal
• SMS Privacy Policy
• SMS Terms & Conditions

Special Offers

Looking to plan your next visit to Rhode Island, check out some of the current special offers and enjoy savings, extra perks and more!

Visiting Changdeokgung Palace

The most authentic of the palaces in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace offers a fascinating insight into Korean royal life.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

Updated: April 11, 2024

• Visiting Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul

There are lots of things to see at Changdeokgung Palace and it's one of the most important landmarks in Seoul.

To learn a bit more about the history of Changdeokgung Palace - and plan for a visit - I've put together this story with lots of information, including:

• The main things to see at Changdeokgung Palace
• Why not to miss the Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden
• My top tips for visiting Changdeokgung Palace

Changdeokgung Palace was never intended to be the most important palace in Seoul.

When the Joseon Dynasty began to rule the Korean Peninsula in 1392 and moved its capital to Seoul, it built Gyeongbokgung Palace as its primary residence, from where it planned to rule its new empire forever.

But fate had a different idea and, during a particularly brutal series of invasions by the Japanese between 1592 and 1598, the palace was burnt to the ground.

Changdeokgung Palace, which had been built about a decade after Gyeongbokgung Palace as a secondary residence, was also burnt to the ground during the Japanese invasions. But the decision was made to rebuild it first.

And so, Changdeokgung Palace was restored to its original glory by 1609. Gyeongbokgung Palace, on the other hand, wasn’t really touched for centuries and was left in ruins until a recent restoration effort began in the 1980s.

It meant that Changdeokgung Palace became the seat of government for the next 270 years of the Joseon Dynasty, right until the end of its rule.

And, as well as making it much more historically important than it was originally intended, this decision has also made Changdeokgung Palace the most authentic of the royal palaces in Seoul, with structures that are hundreds of years old, unlike Gyeongbokgung Palace, where many of them are just decades old.

It’s one of the main reasons why Changdeokgung Palace was named as one of South Korea’s World Heritage Sites , while none of the other royal palaces were.

Why is Changdeokgung Palace famous?

Changdeokgung Palace was originally built as a secondary residence in Seoul but became the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty in 1607, from where it ruled South Korea for about 270 years.

Is it worth visiting Changdeokgung Palace?

For the visual spectacle alone, it’s worth visiting Changdeokgung Palace, to see the imposing gates, monumental halls, and the incredible Secret Garden. But it’s also worth visiting to explore the best preserved of the royal palaces in Seoul.

What is the best palace in Seoul?

Often Gyeongbokgung Palace is considered to be the best palace in Seoul because it’s the largest and its recent restoration means it has the most impressive buildings. However, I think Changdeokgung Palace is actually the best because it is the most authentic, with centuries-old structures.

Visiting Changdeokgung Palace takes you inside the royal court, to the era of the Joseon Dynasty that ruled Korea from 1392 to 1897. I think it’s one of the best things to do in Seoul.

You can access most of the palace complex, from the collection of offices where much of the day-to-day work of running an empire was conducted, to the enormous throne hall that was used for official functions.

Not all of the buildings are open to the public – you normally won’t be able to see inside the residences of the king or queen. But you can walk around them to get a sense of how it was all laid out.

Most of the main wooden buildings, set on stone platforms, have sloped tiled roofs that look like wings holding up the structures. They’re painted with a colour pattern called ‘dancheong’ that includes five basic colours, but green and red often tend to dominated the designs.

And above it all, Mount Baegaksan looms over Changdeokgung Palace, acting as the main geomantic guardian mountain that it was considered to be.

As well as the main structures, one of the highlights is the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace. This large landscaped garden is very different to other palace gardens, in that it conforms to the sloping terrain, with hills and valleys intersected by various water features.

The Secret Garden should be considered an attraction in itself. Depending on what entrance ticket you’re using, you may need to pay an extra fee to see it (access is only by guided tour). I highly recommend you do this!

I’ll talk much more about the Secret Garden shortly, but first I wanted to run through the top things to see in Changdeokgung Palace’s main area.

Things to see at Changdeokgung Palace

The layout of Changdeokgung Palace follows the traditional principles of palace design in Korea, with three gates and three courts.

The first court is for administrative functions, the next court is for the royal residences, and the final court is for official audiences.

As you walk through the main part of the palace complex, through these gates and into the courtyards that surround the most important structures, these are the key sights to look out for:

Gwolnaegaksa (Government Offices)

After you come through the main entrance of Changdeokgung Palace, the first area you’ll see in front of you is Gwolnaegaksa, the word used to describe the government offices within a palace.

It was from these offices that the royal family’s affairs were run, such as meetings of the Royal Counsel Committee. There were also facilities like a royal pharmacy and a library.

The buildings of Gwolnaegaksa were destroyed by the Japanese, like the rest of the palace complex, but these ones weren’t rebuilt until 2005.

They’re all tightly packed together and, even though it’s not a very large area, it can feel like you’re getting a bit lost as you walk through the maze of offices.

Injeongjeon (Throne Hall)

As the main throne hall of the palace, Injeongjeon is where all the major state events were held, including coronations. It’s also where foreign envoys would greet the king and where receptions would be held for them.

After you come through the large gate, the open-air courtyard stretches out to the hall at the rear. It has a clear path marked down the centre, which was used by the king. On either side of it are stone markers where officials stood according to their rank.

If you look behind the hall, you’ll find a terraced garden. According to geomancy, it’s thought this landscaped area would channel energy from the guardian mountain into the palace.

Seonjeongjeon (King’s Council Hall)

While the throne hall was used for important receptions and ceremonies, Seonjeongjeon was where the king would do more of the day-to-day tasks of running his empire.

As the King’s Council Hall, it was where he would meet his senior officials for morning briefings each day and for other reports on national affairs. Around the central hall of Seonjeongjeon are collonaded areas that were used as offices for secretaries and other staff members.

An interesting thing to note here is that this is the only existing palace building that has blue tiles on its roof.

Huijeongdang (King’s Residence)

The king would also do work in Huijeongdang, where he had an office that he could use whenever he wanted. But, officially, this area was considered to be the king’s residence and was off-limits to many people (although the way it was used changed over the years).

From the outside, the building looks traditionally Korean, with the dominant red and green paint, plus the hip and gable roof. But inside there have been quite a few changes that make it appear more westernised. The largest areas were used as a drawing room and a conference room.

Something I think is quite interesting is the curved entrance that was added to the building towards the end for the king’s automobiles!

Daejojeon (Queen’s Residence)

As far as area goes, the Queen’s Residence is bigger than the King’s Residence, but I suspect that’s for two reasons – partly because she couldn’t use as many other areas in the palace, and partly because the queen often ends up with a larger personal staff.

In the centre of the Daejojeon’s courtyard is a large living room space with bedchambers on each side (one for the king and one for the queen). Attached to each of the bedrooms are smaller rooms for the maids of honour.

Over the years, there have been many changes to the Queen’s Residence – some because reconstructions were needed after fires, and some to keep up with trends and modernise parts of it (such as Western-style tiled floors and glass windows).

Seongjeonggak (Crown Prince’s Study)

The building known as Seongjeonggak is all that’s left of a mini-palace that served as the residence of the crown prince within the main palace complex.

There was once a hexagonal pavilion, a library, storerooms, and more – all connected by corridors. The area that is still here was used as the crown prince’s study.

Seongjeonggak is right next to the meeting spot for the Secret Garden tour, so it’s a good area to have a look at while you wait for the tour to begin.

The complex of buildings known as Nakseonjae is larger than it first appears, with a series of buildings that was gradually added to over a number of years.

The first part was constructed by King Heonjong in 1847 as a personal library and living quarters before he expanded it to create a residence for his concubine. He then also added a residence for the queen dowager who had served as regent until he took the throne.

The Nakseonjae complex is tucked away in a corner of the palace and you could almost miss them. You’ll also notice that they are intentionally decorated in a more modest style without the usual royal paintwork.

The Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden

The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace is one of the most important aspects of the whole palace complex.

Built in a space full of hills, it’s not like a traditional palace garden. Instead, it has been adapted to the uneven topography and feels more like an adventure into a national park.

The Secret Garden is landscaped with a series of terraces, where you’ll find lawns, flowers, and pools. Pavilions constructed within the garden seem to sit harmoniously with the trees surrounding them, a large collection of species including walnut, oak, chestnut, and pine.

It’s a large space, stretching out for almost a kilometre behind the main section. You can only access it with a guided tour, which takes about an hour and involves a fair amount of walking.

There are only a few Secret Garden tours each day and they can get full in the busiest months. I’ve got information below about booking them.

There’s a fair amount to see on the Changdeokgung Palace Secret Garden tour because, as well as the natural (albeit landscaped) elements, there are quite a few small compounds of buildings that were constructed in the garden over the years.

There’s the two-story Juhamnu Pavilion, for example, which sits at the top of a flight of stairs overlooking a large reflecting pond. It was used as a royal library and a reading room.

Around the Aeryeonjeong Pavilion, with another pond and small buildings, one of the crown princes underwent his academic training and studied topics around state governance.

Nearby, the Yeongyeongdang complex stands out for its different architecture, not using typical royal designs but imitating the home of a common (but still noble) citizen of the time. Built in 1828 and modified in the 1860s, it was used for functions where the king wanted a more informal atmosphere.

For visitors to the city, I truly think this is one of the best things to do in Seoul. It takes you into an important part of history, with some impressive buildings and special access to the beautiful Secret Garden.

Because it’s one of the main attractions in Seoul, it can get busy. The earlier you come, the more likely you are to avoid the crowds, and arriving shortly after opening time will mean you may even get some sections almost to yourself.

It will take about an hour (maybe even a bit less) to see the main buildings in the primary palace area. You’ll then also need an hour or so to do the Secret Garden tour.

The Secret Garden tours run in English at 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, and at 15:30 (this last one isn’t offered in December and January).

There are 100 spaces on each tour and half of those are sold online in advance here . The other half are sold at the ticket office on the day. Seeing as they can get full, it’s another good reason to visit Changdeokgung Palace at the start of the day.

You also need to pay an extra admission fee for the Secret Garden tour on top of the entrance to the palace. But I would recommend getting the Royal Palace Pass which includes both. (More info on that below.)

Where is Changdeokgung Palace?

Changdeokgung Palace is in the northern part of central Seoul, next to Changgyeonggung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. The entrance is in the southwestern corner. The official address of the palace is 99 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. You can see it on a map here .

How do you get to Changdeokgung Palace?

If you’re coming to Changdeokgung Palace by public transport, the easiest option is the subway. The closest subway stations are Jongno 3-ga or Anguk. You can also catch the Blue Bus numbers 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, or 272; and Green Bus number 7025.

When is Changdeokgung Palace open?

Changdeokgung Palace is open Tuesday to Sunday at these times throughout the year: Feb to May: 09:00 – 18:00 Jun to Aug: 09:00 – 18:30 Sep to Oct: 09:00 – 18:00 Nov to Jan: 09:00 – 17:30 NOTE: It is closed on Mondays

How much does it cost to visit Changdeokgung Palace?

Entry to the main palace area of Changdeokgung Palace costs 3,000 won (US$2.30) for adults and 1,500 won (US$1.15) for children (aged 7-18). Visiting the palace’s Secret Garden can only be done on a guided tour and costs 5,000 won (US$3.80) for an adult and 2,500 won (US$1.90) for children. (You also need to have a palace entry ticket to get to the start of the Secret Garden tour.) I would recommend buying the Royal Palace Pass at the ticket counter, which costs just 10,000 won (US$7.60) for adults and 5,000 won for children (US$3.80). It includes Changdeokgung Palace and the Secret Garden, along with Changgyeonggung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace. All the palaces are also included for free with the Discover Seoul Pass , which is a great way to save money if you’re going to visit lots of sights.

Are there tours of Changdeokgung Palace?

The only way to see the palace’s Secret Garden is with a guided tour that is included with the garden’s admission fee. If you’re looking for a tour of the main palace area, I would recommend this excellent afternoon tour , which also includes some of the historic neighbourhoods around the palace. There’s also this private tour of Seoul that you can customise to include Changdeokgung Palace.

Because the Secret Garden includes a guided tour, there’s less reason to have your own guide at somewhere like Changdeokgung Palace. But you’ll certainly benefit from having expert knowledge at the other parts of the palace, and at other sights in Seoul.

If you would like a guided tour of Seoul that includes the palace, there’s this excellent afternoon tour . Or there are some other great options here:

The other important thing to keep in mind with your planning is the proximity of Changdeokgung Palace to a couple of other important royal sites.

Changgyeonggung Palace is right next door – and, in fact, there’s a gate that directly connects the tour (right next to where the Secret Garden tour begins). Although Changgyeonggung Palace is not as impressive, it may make sense for you to see both at the same time.

Changdeokgung Palace is also less than ten minutes’ walk from the entrance to Jongmyo Shrine. The shrine holds the spirit tablets of the Joseon kings and queens, so visiting Jongmyo Shrine takes you to a slightly different style of sight, one that’s also very important in its own way.

Jongmyo Shrine is another World Heritage Site and I would certainly recommend you consider seeing it, if you have time in Seoul. The shrine is included in the Royal Palace Pass, so it’s great value.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN SEOUL

For most first-time visitors, I would recommend accommodation around Myeongdong or Insadong, although I’ve also got a detailed story about where to stay in Seoul .

Colourful and cosy, the  One Hostel Hongdae  has comfortable beds with curtains and a nice rooftop terrace to meet people.

Right in the middle of Insadong,  Top Hotel & Residence  has lovely staff and plenty of good amenities for your stay.

There are some really funky features at  Moxy Seoul Insadong , which also has a cool bar on site.

Along with a fantastic location and a colourful design,  Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong  also has beautiful views and a lovely pool.

This site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List ! I'm on a mission to visit as many World Heritage Sites as I can. Only about 800 more to go... eek!

More stories about South Korea

• All the World Heritage Sites in South Korea
• How to visit the DMZ from Seoul
• Why Seoul's Jongmyo Shrine is so important
• A day trip to Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress
• See the Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa Temple

1 thought on “Visiting Changdeokgung Palace”

Hello Michael

A few days ago, I visited three of the five palaces in Seoul, and it was the same everywhere. I mean the entrance fee. in the largest of them Changgyeonggung the price was the highest – 3,000 won for an adult, and the rest – 1,000 won. Children under 12 had free admission in each of them. Additional if you decided to rent a hanbok you have a free entrance to each of them

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Find me on the socials:, subscribe for news and deals:.

top stories:

Secret Garden Walking Tour

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Secret Garden Walking Tour - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

SEOUL - north  |  SEOUL - south

Day Trips from Seoul  | Busan  |  Best Collections

🌸Festivals ( Seoul • Busan )

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden 창덕궁과 후원

서울특별시 종로구 율곡로 99 (와룡동) | 99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Feb-May, Sep-Oct: 9:00-18:00

Jun-Aug: 9:00-18:30

Nov-Jan: 9.00-17:30

Last admission: 1 hr before closing.

Closed on Mondays

General Tours (Building Area): English (10:15, 13:15) / Chinese (10:00. 16:00). 1 hr.

Secret Garden Guided Tours (required for Secret Garden entry) , 1.5 hrs :

​English - (Feb-Nov 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:30 | Dec-Jan 10:30, 11:30, 14:30).

Chinese - (12:30).

100 tickets available for each tour. 50 tickets available onsite and 50 tickets available for online reservation (no payment required) on official website from 6 days in advance.

Changdeokgung Palace:

Adult (age 19-64): 3,000 won, Child (age 7-18): 1,500 won, Child (under 7) / Senior (over 65) / Wearing Hanbok (traditional korean clothes) / Culture Day (last Wednesdays of every month): Free

Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden (Huwon) Tour:

Adult (age 19-64): 8,000 won, Senior (over 65): 5,000 won, Child (age 7-18): 4,000 won

Combination Ticket:

Adult: 10,000 won, child: 5,000 won to 4 palaces (Changdeokgung incl. Secret Garden, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung) and Jongmyo Shrine. 3 months validity.

Entry to Secret Garden can be reserved online via official website or exchanged for voucher at the ticket office, subject to availability.

Anguk Station (line 3, exit 3). 6 mins walk.

Jongno 3-ga Station (line 1, 3 or 5, exit 6). 10 mins walk

www.cdg.go.kr

The Changdeokgung Palace is one of the most well-preserved royal palaces from the Joseon Dynasty.

It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1997 and regarded as a Korean palace architecture masterpiece with buildings in perfect harmony with nature.

Cherry Blossoms in Spring

Kings and their ministers discussed state affairs at Changdeokgung Palace and residence of the royal family. It was built in 1405 by King Taejong, the third ruler of Joseon and the first palace to be rebuilt in 1610 after the Japanese invasion in 1592. 

Autumn Foliage

Winter Scene

Changdeokgung Palace

Secret Garden @ Changdeokgung Palace

Map of Getting to Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

Map of Changdeokgung Palace & Secret Garden

KoreaToDo TOP PICKS - Tours, Activities & Discount Tickets

➥ Handpicked experiences by KoreaToDo for their uniqueness, value, popularity, price competitiveness and at times, tedious to reach by public transport.

Namsan Cable Car Round Trip Ticket (weekdays & min. 2 pax)

beautiful scenery of Seoul

Palace & Temple Guide

Hanboknam Hanbok Rental Voucher at Changdeokgung Store

incl. basic hairstyling & inner skirt

Cheongwadae Blue House & Gyeongbokgung Palace Walking Tour

former presidential residence

Hanbok Rental near Changdeokgung Palace by Dorothy Hanbok

Kid/Male hanbok available.

PRIVATE DAY TOUR: Alpaca World, Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm

hotel pickup & admissions

Seoul Personal Color & Make-up Analysis in Hongdae

with English speaking expert

​​Korea Rail Pass (KR PASS): KTX Bullet Trains to Busan & others (2, 3, 4 or 5 Days)

instant pass & tourist exclusive!

♔  KoreaToDo recommends  Klook.com , Asia leading in-destination service provider.

🌸SPRING PICKS🌸 Handpicked Experiences from Seoul

Cherry Blossom Hunting Day Tour

29 Mar - 29 Apr 2024

2-3 most beautiful cherry blossom spots

Taean Tulip Festival & Strawberry Picking Day Tour

12 Apr - 7 May 2024

500g strawberry picking

Hwadam Botanic Garden, Nami Island & Gangchon Railbike Day Tour

29 Mar 2024 ~

Pink King Cherry Blossom Tour (Spring Flower Festival, Gaesimsa & Munsusa)

14-29 Apr 2024

king cherry blossoms are larger & denser

Taean Tulip Festival & Suspension Bridge Tour

14 Apr - 7 May 2024

largest flower festival in Korea

Pink King Cherry Blossom Tour (Wansan Flower Garden, Jeonju Hanok Village)

15-28 Apr 2023

& Gakwonsa Temple

Other KoreaToDo Collection that you may like:

Samcheongdong - Serene streets of cafes, shops & galleries

Gyeonghuigung Palace - The West Palace

Seoul City Wall  - Hike on the famous Baegak Mountain Trail (Passport Required)

LOVE Museum - Adults ONLY

Still looking? Explore KoreaToDo handpicked collection of:

Top Popular & Unique Seoul Day Trips under 3 hours

Seoul - North of Han River

Seoul - South of Han River

The Secret Garden Tour

Sunday, July 21, 2024, 10AM-3PM

The annual secret garden tour welcomes hundreds of visitors every july for a self-guided journey through private residential gardens in provincetown..

Tickets include access to a free parking lot, admission to gardens, and admission to view the exhibitions in the Museum. We are incredibly grateful to the homeowners that help raise money for PAAM by sharing their beautiful oases with us.

Online ticket sales open on May 3, 2024. You can purchase a ticket or pick up your pre-paid ticket Sunday morning beginning at 9:45AM at one of these locations:

• PAAM:  460 Commercial Street, Provincetown
• The parking lot at 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown or BY&D Insurance ( 56 Howland Street, Provincetown )
• The first garden, the location of which we’ll announce the day of the tour at 9:45AM on Facebook and Instagram

The parking lots are first-come, first-served and have filled up in the past. If no spaces remain when you arrive, you can pick up your ticket from a volunteer and then go park your car elsewhere before beginning the tour ( Parking in Provincetown ). Street parking can be found by those with keen eyes or incredible luck.

PAAM staff and volunteers offer a “shuttle service” in their personal vehicles between the parking lot, PAAM, and the neighborhood where the gardens are located, but most places in Provincetown are within walking distance if that’s your preference.

Your ticket also grants you admission to PAAM on the day of the tour, where you can enjoy a restroom and air conditioning in addition to five beautiful art  exhibitions .

This event happens rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and plenty of sunscreen, and bring your own filled water bottle (water fountain available at PAAM).

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

• Field Trips
• Scavenger Hunt
• Exhibitions
• Kids & Families
• Museum Store
• Who Lived Here?
• Architecture
• Decorative Arts
• Spotlight Tours
• Special Events
• For Kids & Families
• Travel Program 2024
• Meet the Staff
• Event Space Rental
• Ways To Give
• Become a Member

Secret Garden Tour

June 5, 2021 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

• This event has passed.

SGT Returns! Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 from noon to 5 pm 

Tour Headquarters (for tickets the day of the event and ticket pickup):

32 Southgate Avenue, Annapolis MD 21401

The 2021 tour features private gardens in the Historic District. Murray Hill, the area between West Street and Spa Creek, holds a beautiful collection of homes built in various periods and architectural styles. The 130-year-old community with its tree-lined streets is the perfect setting for an afternoon of garden exploration. All the gardens featured in 2021 epitomize the goals of the home gardener: to have a beautiful space filled with flowers, trees, shrubs, grasses, and other garden elements, a space that is a pleasure to live in and inspirational to work in. The Secret Garden Tour is a self – guided walking tour featuring sixteen gardens in Southgate Avenue, Franklin Street and Thompson Street.

Tickets for the tour are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the event. Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday tours.

A 10% discount applies for tickets of 10 or more. To get the discount you must call the Hammond-Harwood House to order your tickets; 410-263-4683 x10.

Make a day of it; enjoy the garden tour, have lunch, and just walk around our beautiful and charming colonial city!

This is a rain or shine event.

Free, Filtered Water or Stay Hydrated! Don’t forget your reusable water bottle!  We’re excited to partner with Annapolis Green and their NAPTOWN TAP for a hydration station mid-way through your tour!  Leave your plastic water bottles at home and your planet thanks you! Thank you for  touring Annapolis’ Secret Gardens responsibly!

Parking:  There is plenty of street parking in Murray Hill and the closest parking garage is Knighton Garage (Address: 1a Colonial Ave , Annapolis, MD 21401). Also,  Gott’s Court Garage (Address: 25 Northwest Street, Annapolis, MD 21401/ Alternate Entrance: 25 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD 21401)

For specific information about garages and parking go to   www.annapolisparking.com

Covid Protocols:  Both guests and volunteers are strongly encouraged to wear their masks and maintain social distancing for the safety of everyone.

EVENT SPONSORS

• American Impressionists
• Richmond Group
• Hoosier Group
• Early Indiana Artists
• Regionalism
• Indiana & Ohio Artists
• Decorative Arts
• Women Artists
• Conservation
• Current & Upcoming Events & Exhibitions
• Past Exhibitions
• Submit an Exhibit Proposal to RAM
• Annual Exhibition

Secret Garden Tour

• Phantoscope High School Film Festival
• IPAPA/OPAS Paint Out
• Potterypalooza
• Art Activities
• Become a Member
• Renew your Membership
• Mission, Values and History
• Our Board And Staff
• News & Updates
• 765 966 0256
• [email protected]
• (765) 966-0256

This annual event gives participants the opportunity to visit some of the loveliest gardens in Richmond and Wayne County.  In addition to the gardens, the tour features the Garden Boutique. This marketplace offers unique ironwork sculptures and ornaments for your own landscaping.

While touring the gardens, be on the lookout for plein air artists. Every year we invite local artists to document the gardens in their unique way. Many of their paintings will be for sale at the boutique!

All proceeds benefit operations at the Richmond Art Museum.

The 2024 Secret Garden Tour will be:

Saturday, June 29th 9AM – 3PM Sunday, June 30th 10AM – 3PM

Secret Garden Tour 2024

Richmond Art Museum 350 Hub Etchison Pkwy Richmond, IN 47374

Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

765-966-0256 [email protected]

Richmond Art Museum © 2020. All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy 

Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla 2024

The Secret Garden Tour extends a rare invitation to the public to stroll behind the garden gates of some of La Jolla’s loveliest secluded gardens, often concealed from view by mature trees, vines, or foliage. Visitors from throughout San Diego County and beyond have the opportunity to view private gardens in La Jolla during this important Society fundraiser.

Secret Garden Party - Friday, May 17, 2024 from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Secret Garden Tour - Saturday, May 18, 2024

   Self-Guided Tour from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (Registration opens at 9:00 am and Gardens open at 10:00 am)

   Platinum Tour from 9:15 am - 3:30 pm

A garden tour is an opportunity to step into a different world – one where botanical colors, shapes, and fragrances command attention, summon the imagination, and lead to an escape from the world of the ordinary.        

For two decades La Jolla Historical Society’s Secret Garden Tour has provided the opportunity to step into the extraordinary world of La Jolla’s private gardens.  The Secret Garden Tour is much anticipated on the community’s spring calendar, and leaves a legacy throughout the year with financial support for the Society’s exhibitions and educational programs.

In addition to the plants and landscaping, the Tour includes opportunities to explore unique designs and in the company of garden enthusiasts and friends.  La Jolla’s tour often includes historic homes and examples of unique architecture, and the gardens are made special with the presence of live musicians, plein air artists, and dining table designs.  On the lawn of the Society’s Wisteria Cottage, the Garden Boutique showcases merchants with items of interest to gardeners and homeowners.

The Secret Garden tour began 25 years ago as an undertaking of a small group under the chairmanship of Linda Marrone and Susan Vandendriesse. Today it runs with multiple committees, dozens of volunteers, and with the help of the Society’s Board of Directors. The day of the Tour brings hundreds of visitors to La Jolla to enjoy the gardens and the restaurants, galleries, and ambiance of the village. 

Through the years many La Jolla homeowners have generously opened their gardens for viewing on this special day, providing an enchanting opportunity to visit and experience the charm behind the garden gates. 

TICKET OPTIONS:

Friday, May 17, 2024:

Secret Garden Party -        $105 pre-sale through February 16, 2024 ($95 for LJHS Members in advance)              ( $85 when purchased with a Platinum Tour Ticket for Saturday )       $115 in advance February 17 - May 11, 2024 or until sold out ($105 for LJHS Members in advance)             ( $85 when purchased with a Platinum Tour Ticket for Saturday )

Saturday, May 18, 2024:

Self-Guided Tour Ticket -        $50 pre-sale through February 16, 2024  ($40 for LJHS Members in advance)       $55 in advance starting February 17 - May 17, 2024  ($45 for LJHS Members in advance)       $65 day of tour May 18, 2024 ($55 for LJHS Members the day of tour)

Bonus Garden Ticket Upgrade -        $20 Bonus Garden in advance for self-guided tour ( must be purchase with a self-guided tour ticket )

Platinum Tour Ticket - Buy Soon as these sell out Fast!       $145 pre-sale through February 16, 2024  ($135 for LJHS Members in advance)       $155 in advance  February 17 - May 11, 2024 or until sold out   ($145 for LJHS Members in advance)

Tour Ticket

On the day of the tour, attendees will register at the La Jolla Historical Society Wisteria Cottage at 780 Prospect Street. There you will check in and receive a wristband necessary to gain entrance to each garden, your program booklet with the locations and map of the secret gardens.  You may visit the gardens in any order you wish throughout the day.

Platinum Tour Ticket

Platinum Tour Ticket purchasers will enjoy a complimentary afternoon lunch at a unique venue. Platinum Tour attendees will enjoy touring the gardens via tour buses that will shuttle them from garden to garden with a lunch reception in the middle of the tour.

Tickets not valid for refunds, cash value or exchanges. If the event is rescheduled, your ticket will be honored at the rescheduled event. The La Jolla Historical Society, McFarlane Promotions, Inc. and La Jolla Secret Garden Tour organizers reserve the right to refuse entrance to anyone. All articles are subject to search with admission. Event producers reserve the right to use photos or graphic images taken at La Jolla Secret Garden Tour. No video cameras, alcohol, simulated weapons, illegal drugs, weapons, tents, tape recorders, lawn chairs, hazardous substances, portable chairs, bicycles, wagons, large backpacks, skateboards, roller blades, coolers, cans, glass containers, large bags, umbrellas, or pets will be allowed brought onto the premises. The holder assumes all risk or danger incidental to the attraction/event whether occurring prior to, during or subsequent to the attraction/event including the risk of cancellation. No exception. This event is rain or shine.

All items are non-refundable under any circumstances.

You may give your ticket to another individual.

Select a Date

Select a Time:

Need assistance? We're happy to help! Frequently Asked Questions I have a question for Customer Service about an event, tickets, or orders. I have a question for Tech Support about a technical issue with the site.

Need assistance? We're happy to help!

A step-by-step guide to visit Changdeokgung palace and Huwon secret garden

Changdeokgung Palace, with Huwon Secret Garden , has been one of the most tourist-attracting historic sites in Seoul and visiting this attraction is one of awesome things to do in Seoul . Korea has thousands of years of history and culture. Which explains why the city of Seoul is home to so many historic sites. The city attracts a large number of tourists every year. And today, we will be guiding you to one of the oldest and most beautiful historic sites of Seoul. Let's start, shall we?

Changdeokgung Palace, the Prospering Virtue Palace

Changdeokgung, also known as Changdeokgung Palace or Changdeok Palace. The name literally means Prospering Virtue Palace. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Due to its location being the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace , people also refer to Changdeokgung Palace as the "East Palace". Apparently, you should add Changdeokgung Palace to your Seoul city day tour.

Changdeokgung was the second palace after Gyeongbokgung which had been established in 1395 as a primary palace. The construction began in 1405 and completed in 1412. In 1592, during the Japanese invasion, the palace was burnt to the ground. Later, In 1609, King Seonjo and King Gwanghaegun reconstructed the palace. In 1623, King Injo led a political revolt against Gwanghaegun, and Changdeokgung Palace was once again burnt down to the ground. The Chinese also attacked the palace several times. Through many repairs and reconstructions, Changdeokgung Palace still stays true to its original design.When they were rebuilding the nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace was the site of the royal court and the seat of government until 1868. Emperor Sunjong, the last emperor of Korea, lived here until his death in 1926. Other members of the former Royal family were allowed to live in parts of the palace. Former Crown Prince Yi Un lived in the Nakseonjae Buildings with his wife Princess Bangja and sister Princess Deokhye until their deaths. Differing Presidential orders supporting and objecting their use of historic facilities repeatedly interrupt this arrangement. The modern-day Changdeokgung Palace has 13 buildings remaining on its ground and 28 pavilions in the gardens. The palace occupies 110 acres (45 hectares) in total. The palace is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul thanks to its garden and natural surroundings. In 1997, Changdeokgung Palace became a UNESCO World Heritage site.

What to expect in Changdeokgung Palace

Donhwamun gate.

The first thing that you’re going to notice is the giant 3-door gate serves as the entrance to Changdeokgung Palace. People name it Donhwamun Gate. Its construction began in 1412 during the twelfth year of Emperor Taejong’s reign. He was the third emperor of the Joseon Dynasty, he ruled the country from 1400 to 1418In 1592, during the war between Korea and Japan (the Imjin War), Japanese troops destroy and set the gate on fire. Years later, Emperor Gwanghaegun orders the gate’s restoration. The process took 2 years, from 1607 to 1609, giving it the current appearance.

The gate has a simple yet elegant 2 story wooden design. According to data, in 1413, there was a 7.5-ton bronze bell hung here, but it was later removed. The rock roads going through the gate, which passengers use, were made in the 1890s. Originally, only royal vehicles allowed to go through the gate. Nowadays, the gate act as one of the oldest, if not the oldest, existing entrances to Changdeokgung Palace. The gate is also Korea National Treasure #383.

Gwolnaegaksa Complex

While many government offices were located outside Changdeokgung Palace, some offices were built on the palace grounds and were collectively known as Gwolnaegaksa Complex. The Emperor choose these offices to handle royal family and political affairs.Because so many of the king’s support offices were concentrated in such a small area, Gwolnaegaksa had a labyrinthine feel to it. The buildings in this complex are Naeuiwon (Royal Infirmary), Hongmungwan (Office of Special Advisers), Geomseocheong (Publication Office), Gyujanggak (Royal Library), and Bongmodang (Hall of Upholding the Policies of Former Kings).

During the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century, the Japanese decided to vastly simplify Gyujanggak by destroying most of the building. They move its collection to the library of today’s Seoul National University. After destroying the building they covered the place with roads. In 2005 the restoration process of Gwolnaegaksa Complex began. They rebuild the complex to its original design.

Huijeongdang Hall

In Changdeokgung Palace, there’s a place to stay only for women and later become a place for the Emperor to rest and work.  And that place is Huijeongdang Hall. This place is where the Emperor meet his official. It’s also the place where they handle official royal affairs and discuss political issues.A fire in 1917 destroyed the original building. When the Japanese government rebuilt it in 1920, they use materials from the king’s residence at Gyeongbokgung Palace. The new building is completely different than the original one. On the outside, Huijeongdang Hall still looks like a traditional Korea building. But the interior is where the change took place, they built the entire interior in Western style.

This kind of interior design where east meets west is rarely seen in early 19th century Korea. The interior features many amenities such as glass windows, wood floors, electricity, lights, a chandelier, bathroom, and curtain. There’s even a car parked in the front.Originally, the Emperor would meet his officials and discuss matters in Seonjeongjeon Hall. But when the meeting requires more room, the king decided to relocate to Huijeongdang Hall.

Huwon Secret Garden

Behind Changdeokgung Palace lies the beautiful 78-acres (32 hectares) garden of Huwon. The garden is enormous and takes up approximately 60% of the palace ground. They originally construct the garden for the use of royal family and palace women. The garden contains a lotus pond, pavilions, and multiple landscape lawns, trees, and flowers. In the garden, there are over 26,000 specimens of more than 100 different species. Some of the trees are over 300 years old.People call the garden ‘Geumwon’ (Forbidden garden) because it’s only for the private use of the king. Even high ranking officials were not allowed to enter the garden without the emperor’s permission. Huwon Garden also have other names like ‘Naewon’ (Inner Garden) and ‘Biwon’ (Secret Garden). Despite its various names, the one that people use through Joseon dynasty was ‘Huwon’.

The king hosted a variety of ceremonies in Huwon. In the early period of the Joseon dynasty, military inspections in which the king participated were often held here. King Sejo had troops parade before him or commanded them by himself in this garden. In addition, they also host feasts, archery tournaments, and fireworks displays in Huwon.The highlight of the garden is the two-story Juhamnu P1avilion, the king use it as a library and reading room. The pavilion is located on a small, peaceful square lily pond.In 1592, the Japanese destroyed most of the building in the garden, during their invasion of Korea. In 1623, the first year of King Injo’s reign, he ordered the restoration of the garden. The restoration process continues through many kings until creating the current look.

Injeongjeon Hall And Injeongmun Gate

Injeongjeon hall.

In 1405, during the 5th year of his reign, Emperor Taejong ordered the construction of this hall along with Changdeokgung Palace. The Japanese destroy this hall the first time in 1592 in their invasion of Korea. In 1804, which is the 4th year of Emperor Sunjo, the hall was destroyed and rebuilt.Injeongjeon Hall is the main hall of Changdeokgung Palace. It’s where the official gather to greet the emperor on New Year’s day. It’s also where the emperor held national ceremonies and received foreign officials.

The Hall is a two-story building, with 5 rooms in the front and 4 rooms on the side. The top of the roof was decorated with a plum design, which was a symbol of an imperial family during the very end of the Joseon Dynasty. Injeongjeon is one of the three great halls along with Geunjeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung palace and Myeongjeongjeon in Changgyeonggung palace. It’s the main place that represents the history of the Joseon Dynasty.In front of the hall, there’s a royal walkway and courtyard, both dating back to 1609. On the walkway, there are stone markers with ranks of the officials inscribed on them. The official will stand behind their designated stone marker when they meet the emperor. The higher rank the official is the closer they stand to the emperor. And the lower ranked official will have to the furthest from the emperor.

Injeongmun Gate

Serving as the main gate of Injeongjeon Hall, Injeongmun Gate was built in 1405 (5th year of King Taejo’s reign during the Joseon Dynasty). Later on, the Japanese destroyed the gate with multiple fires during the Imjin War (Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), therefore the current form of the establishment displays designs that are more often seen in the late 19th century's.

Injeongmun Gate served as the place for several coronation ceremonies of kings, prince's succession of the throne, and many other national affairs celebrated by the royal members who gathered and aligned around this gate. It’s National Treasure #813.

Jinseonmun Gate

Jinseonmun Gate is the small inner and middle gate in the Changdeokgun Palace. To reach the main throne hall, you must pass under three gates, one of which is Jinseonmun. The other two are Dowamun and Injeongmun.

In front of the gate is a wide stone bridge known as Geumcheongyo. Bridges similar to these are a common royal feature and symbolizes purifying oneself who passes over it. Passing over the bridge and through the gate is a sign of royal sovereignty and is often seen at other royal residences in Seoul.

Nakseonjae Complex

The Nakseonjae Complex is a residential compound in the Changdeokgung Palace. In 1847, Emperor Heonjong orders the construction of this complex, during his reign. In the complex, there’s Nakseonjae Pavilion, it was a library for the emperor, where he can read and paint. There’s also Seokbokheon, the residence of Gyeongbin. Sugangjae was built for Queen Sunwon, the grandmother of Heonjong.Nakseonjae is famous for its love story. When Heonjong was 7 he ascent to the throne. He married at the age of 14, but his wife died two years later. His mother, Queen Sunwon spearheaded the selection for the mother of the heir to the throne. King Heonjong attended the selection and immediately took interest in Kim Gyeongbin. However, his mother preferred a different candidate, Hyojeong (later known as Empress Dowager Myeongheon). And so, following tradition, Hyojeong became his second wife. But unfortunately, Hyojeong couldn’t bear a child. So she decided to call in a concubine, Kim Gyeongbin. Nakseonjae was built for Gyeongbin in an isolated corner at Changdeokgung Palace

There’s also a garden in the complex. There’s also a simple and beautiful pavilion known as Sangryangjeong or Pyeongwonru before the Japanese occupation of Korea. This place was a resting place and it has a beautiful view of the palace area below. In 2006, after many years of restoration, the complex finally open to the public for the first time.

Seonjeongjeon Hall And Seonjeongmun Gate

Seonjeongjeon Hall is the main place for the emperor to meet with high ranking officials to discuss political, state, and foreign affairs in Changdeokgung Palace. The king and his subjects would hold seminars and have morning meetings here. He would discuss royal issues and other national affairs.

The area surrounding the building act as for storage and offices for secretaries. Attached to the hall is a narrow corridor leads to Seonjeongmun Gate. The corridor was also used in royal funerals when Seonjeongjeon Hall became a royal shrine. It’s the only remaining evidence of its function during funerals.

Seonwonjeon Hall

Seonwonjeon Hall is where the portraits of former emperors were enshrined and where people perform ancestral rites. Emperor Taejo, Emperor Yeongjo, and Emperor Jeongjo all had their portraits enshrined at the same time here. The portraits were destroyed in the Korean War (1950-1953).

In 1656, They move the building here from the nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace. From that time to 1695, people called this place Chunhuijeon.In 1921, during the Japanese occupation, they built a new hall inside Huwon Secret Garden. Now, they perform the Ancestral rites at the new location. In 2005, they restored auxiliary buildings on the left and right of the hall, which are Jinseolcheong and Naechaldang.

Opening time and how to get Changdeokgung Palace

They actually change the palace’s opening time based on the month. From February - May and from September - October, the opening time is 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. From June - August, the palace is open from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM. And in November - January, the opening time is 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. So be sure to check the time before starting your tour.The secret garden also has its own opening time. Throughout the year, the opening time doesn’t change, it’s always 10:00 AM. But the closing time changes. From February - May and from September - October the garden close at 5:30 PM. From June - August, it closes at 6:00 PM. And finally, from November - January, the closing time is 4:30 PM.If you want to get to Changdeokgung Palace by taxi, the address is 99 Yulgok-ro, Waryongdong, Jongnogu. Going by taxis also has it perks; you can freely see the sights, just beware that the price probably won’t be cheap.To cut down on the travel budget, try the subway. Just take the Anguk Subway and take the 3rd exit. Walk straight for a couple of blocks, and the palace will appear on your left side. You can also take the Jongno 3-ga Station in line 1, 3, 5 and take the 6th exit. The walk to the palace is 5 minutes if you take the Anguk Subway and 10 minutes if you take the Jongno 3-ga Station.If the subway is still too expensive for you, the bus is just perfect. Admittedly, the bus is slower than the two options above, but its price and convenience are just unrivaled. You can take the number 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272 blue buses or the number 7025 green bus to get to the palace.And that concludes our guide to the Changdeokgung Palace. I hope that this article provides you with useful information. And I hope that you have a great trip to the Palace.

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Moscow Metro Tour - With Ratings

• Moscow Tours
• Sightseeing Tours

Moscow Metro Tour

• See more images

Tour Information

Key Details

• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 1 Hr 30 Mins
• Language: English
• Departure Details : Get to the Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Lenin's Library, Red Line) or Alexandrovsky Sad (Alexander Garden, Light Blue Line) metro station. Use any exit. Find the Kutafia Tower of the Kremlin. The guide .. read more

The Moscow Metro has a long history to it. Also, the city has an extremely beautiful subway. It is very well maintained and is also extremely decorated. Each station and spot has a different artistic aspect to it. On this tour, experience the efficiency of Moscow Metro.

• Roam around the Revolution Square, with magnificent sculptures of the Soviet people
• Visit the Kurskaya Station Lobby, the Hall of Fame of the WWII
• Be awestruck at the Komsomolskaya , with impressive mural mosaics of Russian glorious victories
• See the artistic side of Novoslobodskaya , with the stained glass, although under the ground.

Know More about this tour

Take our Moscow Metro Tour and discover why our subway is recognized as the most beautiful in the world!

"They used to have palaces for kings, we are going to build palaces for the people!" said one of the main architects of the Soviet subway.

With us you will see the most beautiful metro stations in Moscow built under Stalin: Komsomolskaya, Revolution square, Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya. Our guide will tell fascinating stories and secrets hidden underground, urban legends and funny stories.

How many babies were born on the Moscow metro? Where is the secret Metro 2? How deep is the Moscow metro? And where did Stalin give his speech in November 1941? Join out Metro tour and find out!

• Metro ticket

Cancellation Policy

• If you cancel between 0 hrs To 24 hrs before scheduled tour departure, the cancellation charge will be 100%
• If you cancel between 1 days To 180 days before scheduled tour departure, the cancellation charge will be 0%
• Please note that in case of No show, the cancellation charge will be 100% of the listed tour fare.
• Please note tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.
• Culture & Theme Based Tours
• Food & Nightlife Tours
• Outdoor & Nature Tours
• Aerial Tours
• Adventure & Sports
• Tickets & Passes
• Transfers & Transportation
• Holiday & Seasonal Tours
• Luxury & Special Occasions Tours
• Shore Excursions
• Weddings & Honeymoons Tours
• Day Trips & Excursions
• Multi Day & Extended Tours
• Private & Custom Tours
• Shopping & Fashion
• Walking & Biking Tours
• What to do in Moscow
• Best time of year to visit Moscow
• How to reach Moscow
• Restaurants in Moscow
• City Map of Moscow
• Moscow Itineraries
• Moscow Hotels
• Itinerary Planner

Moscow Metro Tour

• Page active

Description

Moscow metro private tours.

• 2-hour tour $87:  10 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with hotel pick-up and drop-off
• 3-hour tour $137:  20 Must-See Moscow Metro stations with Russian lunch in beautifully-decorated Metro Diner + hotel pick-up and drop off. 
• Metro pass is included in the price of both tours.

Highlight of Metro Tour

• Visit 10 must-see stations of Moscow metro on 2-hr tour and 20 Metro stations on 3-hr tour, including grand Komsomolskaya station with its distinctive Baroque décor, aristocratic Mayakovskaya station with Soviet mosaics, legendary Revolution Square station with 72 bronze sculptures and more!
• Explore Museum of Moscow Metro and learn a ton of technical and historical facts;
• Listen to the secrets about the Metro-2, a secret line supposedly used by the government and KGB;
• Experience a selection of most striking features of Moscow Metro hidden from most tourists and even locals;
• Discover the underground treasure of Russian Soviet past – from mosaics to bronzes, paintings, marble arches, stained glass and even paleontological elements;
• Learn fun stories and myths about Coffee Ring, Zodiac signs of Moscow Metro and more;
• Admire Soviet-era architecture of pre- and post- World War II perious;
• Enjoy panoramic views of Sparrow Hills from Luzhniki Metro Bridge – MetroMost, the only station of Moscow Metro located over water and the highest station above ground level;
• If lucky, catch a unique «Aquarelle Train» – a wheeled picture gallery, brightly painted with images of peony, chrysanthemums, daisies, sunflowers and each car unit is unique;
• Become an expert at navigating the legendary Moscow Metro system;
• Have fun time with a very friendly local;
• + Atmospheric Metro lunch in Moscow’s the only Metro Diner (included in a 3-hr tour)

Hotel Pick-up

Metro stations:.

Komsomolskaya

Novoslobodskaya

Prospekt Mira

Belorusskaya

Mayakovskaya

Novokuznetskaya

Revolution Square

Sparrow Hills

+ for 3-hour tour

Victory Park

Slavic Boulevard

Vystavochnaya

Dostoevskaya

Elektrozavodskaya

Partizanskaya

Museum of Moscow Metro

• Drop-off  at your hotel, Novodevichy Convent, Sparrow Hills or any place you wish
• + Russian lunch  in Metro Diner with artistic metro-style interior for 3-hour tour

Fun facts from our Moscow Metro Tours:

From the very first days of its existence, the Moscow Metro was the object of civil defense, used as a bomb shelter, and designed as a defense for a possible attack on the Soviet Union.

At a depth of 50 to 120 meters lies the second, the coded system of Metro-2 of Moscow subway, which is equipped with everything you need, from food storage to the nuclear button.

According to some sources, the total length of Metro-2 reaches over 150 kilometers.

The Museum was opened on Sportivnaya metro station on November 6, 1967. It features the most interesting models of trains and stations.

Coffee Ring

The first scheme of Moscow Metro looked like a bunch of separate lines. Listen to a myth about Joseph Stalin and the main brown line of Moscow Metro.

Zodiac Metro

According to some astrologers, each of the 12 stops of the Moscow Ring Line corresponds to a particular sign of the zodiac and divides the city into astrological sector.

Astrologers believe that being in a particular zadiac sector of Moscow for a long time, you attract certain energy and events into your life.

Paleontological finds 

Red marble walls of some of the Metro stations hide in themselves petrified inhabitants of ancient seas. Try and find some!

• Every day each car in  Moscow metro passes  more than 600 km, which is the distance from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
• Moscow subway system is the  5th in the intensity  of use (after the subways of Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai).
• The interval in the movement of trains in rush hour is  90 seconds .

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the walking tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

Write your review

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness

Can cities make it illegal to live on the streets.

This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email [email protected] with any questions.

From “The New York Times,” I’m Katrin Bennhold. This is “The Daily.”

This morning, we’re taking a much closer look at homelessness in the United States as it reaches a level not seen in the modern era. California —

As the number of homeless people has surged in the US —

More than 653,000, a 12 percent population increase since last year.

The debate over homeless encampments across the country has intensified.

It is not humane to let people live on our streets in tents, use drugs. We are not standing for it anymore.

People have had it. They’re fed up. I’m fed up. People want to see these tents and encampments removed in a compassionate, thoughtful way. And we agree.

With public officials saying they need more tools to address the crisis.

We move from block to block. And every block they say, can’t be here, can’t be here, can’t be here. I don’t know where we’re supposed to go, you know?

And homeless people and their advocates saying those tools are intended to unfairly punish them.

They come and they sweep and they take everything from me, and I can’t get out of the hole I’m in because they keep putting me back in square one.

That debate is now reaching the Supreme Court, which is about to hear arguments in the most significant case on homelessness in decades, about whether cities can make it illegal to be homeless. My colleague Abbie VanSickle on the backstory of that case and its far-reaching implications for cities across the US.

[THEME MUSIC]

It’s Friday, April 19.

So Abbie, you’ve been reporting on this case that has been making waves, Grants Pass versus Johnson, which the Supreme Court is taking up next week. What’s this case about?

So this case is about a small town in Oregon where three homeless people sued the city after they received tickets for sleeping and camping outside. And this case is the latest case that shows this growing tension, especially in states in the West, between people who are homeless and cities who are trying to figure out what to do about this. These cities have seen a sharp increase in homeless encampments in public spaces, especially with people on sidewalks and in parks. And they’ve raised questions about public drug use and other safety issues in these spaces.

And so the question before the justices is really how far a city can go to police homelessness. Can city officials and police use local laws to ban people from laying down outside and sleeping in a public space? Can a city essentially make it illegal to be homeless?

So three homeless people sued the city of Grants Pass, saying it’s not illegal to be homeless, and therefore it’s not illegal to sleep in a public space.

Yes, that’s right. And they weren’t the first people to make this argument. The issue actually started years ago with a case about 500 miles to the East, in Boise, Idaho. And in that case, which is called Martin v. Boise, this man, Robert Martin, who is homeless in Boise, he was charged with a misdemeanor for sleeping in some bushes. And the city of Boise had laws on the books to prohibit public camping.

And Robert Martin and a group of other people who are homeless in the city, they sued the city. And they claimed that the city’s laws violated the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.

And what makes it cruel and unusual?

So their argument was that the city did not have enough sufficient shelter beds for everyone who was homeless in the city. And so they were forced to sleep outside. They said, we have no place to go and that an essential human need is to sleep and we want to be able to lay down on the sidewalk or in an alley or someplace to rest and that their local laws were a violation of Robert Martin and the others’ constitutional rights, that the city is violating the Eighth Amendment by criminalizing the human need to sleep.

And the courts who heard the case agreed with that argument. The courts ruled that the city had violated the Constitution and that the city could not punish people for being involuntarily homeless. And what that meant, the court laid out, is that someone is involuntarily homeless if a city does not have enough adequate shelter beds for the number of people who are homeless in the city.

It does seem like a very important distinction. They’re saying, basically, if you have nowhere else to go, you can’t be punished for sleeping on the street.

Right. That’s what the court was saying in the Martin v. Boise case. And the city of Boise then appealed the case. They asked the Supreme Court to step in and take it on. But the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. So since then, the Martin v. Boise case controls all over the Western parts of the US in what’s called the Ninth Circuit, which includes Oregon where the Grants Pass case originated.

OK. So tell us about Grants Pass, this city at the center of the case and now in front of the Supreme Court. What’s the story there?

Grants Pass is a town in rural Southwestern Oregon. It’s a town of about 38,000 people. It’s a former timber town that now really relies a lot on tourists to go rafting through the river and go wine tasting in the countryside. And it’s a pretty conservative town.

When I did interviews, people talked about having a very strong libertarian streak. And when I talked with people in the town, people said when they were growing up there, it was very rare to see someone who was homeless. It just was not an issue that was talked a lot about in the community. But it did become a big issue about 10 years ago.

People in the community started to get worried about what they saw as an increase in the number of homeless people that they were noticing around town. And it’s unclear whether the problem was growing or whether local officials and residents were worried that it might, whether they were fearing that it might.

But in any case, in 2013, the city council decided to start stepping up enforcement of local ordinances that did things like outlaw camping in public parks or sleeping outside, this series of overlapping local laws that would make it impossible for people to sleep in public spaces in Grants Pass. And at one meeting, one of the former city council members, she said, “the point is to make it uncomfortable enough for them in our city so they will want to move on down the road.”

So it sounds like, at least in Grants Pass, that this is not really about reducing homelessness. It’s about reducing the number of visible homeless people in the town.

Well, I would say that city officials and many local residents would say that the homeless encampments are actually creating real concerns about public safety, that it’s actually creating all kinds of issues for everyone else who lives in Grants Pass. And there are drug issues and mental health issues, and that this is actually bringing a lot of chaos to the city.

OK. So in order to deal with these concerns, you said that they decided to start enforcing these local measures. What does that actually look like on the ground?

So police started handing out tickets in Grants Pass. These were civil tickets, where people would get fines. And if police noticed people doing this enough times, then they could issue them a trespass from a park. And then that would give — for a certain number of days, somebody would be banned from the park. And if police caught them in the park before that time period was up, then the person could face criminal time. They could go to jail.

And homeless people started racking up fines, hundreds of dollars of fines. I talked to a lot of people who were camping in the parks who had racked up these fines over the years. And each one would have multiple tickets they had no way to pay. I talked to people who tried to challenge the tickets, and they had to leave their belongings back in the park. And they would come back to find someone had taken their stuff or their things had been impounded.

So it just seemed to be this cycle that actually was entrenching people more into homelessness. And yet at the same time, none of these people had left Grants Pass.

So they did make it very uncomfortable for homeless people, but it doesn’t seem to be working. People are not leaving.

Right. People are not leaving. And these tickets and fines, it’s something that people have been dealing with for years in Grants Pass. But in 2018, the Martin v. Boise case happens. And not long after that, a group of people in Grants Pass challenged these ordinances, and they used the Boise case to make their argument that just like in Boise, Grants Pass was punishing people for being involuntarily homeless, that this overlapping group of local ordinances in Grants Pass had made it so there is nowhere to put a pillow and blanket on the ground and sleep without being in some kind of violation of a rule. And this group of local homeless people make the argument that everyone in Grants Pass who is homeless is involuntarily homeless.

And you told us earlier that it was basically the lack of available shelter that makes a homeless person involuntarily homeless. So is there a homeless shelter in Grants Pass?

Well, it sort of depends on the standard that you’re using. So there is no public low-barrier shelter that is easy for somebody to just walk in and stay for a night if they need someplace to go. Grants Pass does not have a shelter like that.

There is one shelter in Grants Pass, but it’s a religious shelter, and there are lots of restrictions. I spoke with the head of the shelter who explained the purpose is really to get people back into the workforce. And so they have a 30-day program that’s really designed for that purpose.

And as part of that, people can’t have pets. People are not allowed to smoke. They’re required to attend Christian religious services. And some of the people who I interviewed, who had chronic mental health and physical disabilities, said that they had been turned away or weren’t able to stay there because of the level of needs that they have. And so if you come in with any kind of issue like that, it can be a problem.

That’s a very long list of restrictions. And of course, people are homeless for a lot of very different reasons. It sounds like a lot of these reasons might actually disqualify them from this particular shelter. So when they say they have nowhere else to go, if they’re in Grants Pass, they kind of have a point.

So that’s what the court decided. In 2022, when the courts heard this case, they agreed with the homeless plaintiffs that there’s no low-barrier shelter in Grants Pass and that the religious shelter did not meet the court’s requirements. But the city, who are actually now represented by the same lawyers who argued for Boise, keeps appealing the case. And they appeal up to the Ninth Circuit just as in the Boise case, and the judges there find in favor of the homeless plaintiffs, and they find that Grants Pass’s ordinances are so restrictive that there is no place where someone can lay down and sleep in Grants Pass and that therefore the city has violated the Eighth Amendment and they cannot enforce these ordinances in the way that they have been for years.

So at that point, the court upholds the Boise precedent, and we’re where we were when it all started. But as we know, that’s not the end of the story. Because this case stays in the court system. What happened?

So by this point, the homelessness problem is really exploding throughout the Western part of the US with more visible encampments, and it really becomes a politically divisive issue. And leaders across the political spectrum point to Boise as a root cause of the problem. So when Grants Pass comes along, people saw that case as a way potentially to undo Boise if only they could get it before the Supreme Court.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

We’ll be right back.

Abbie, you just told us that as homeless numbers went up and these homeless encampments really started spreading, it’s no longer just conservatives who want the Supreme Court to revisit the Boise ruling. It’s liberals too.

That’s right. So there’s a really broad group of people who all started pushing for the Supreme Court to take up the Grants Pass case. And they did this by filing briefs to the Supreme Court, laying out their reasoning. And it’s everyone from the liberal governor of California and many progressive liberal cities to some of the most conservative legal groups. And they disagree about their reasoning, but they all are asking the court to clarify how to interpret the Boise decision.

They are saying, essentially, that the Boise decision has been understood in different ways in all different parts of the West and that that is causing confusion and creating all sorts of problems. And they’re blaming that on the Boise case.

It’s interesting, because after everything you told us about these very extreme measures, really, that the city of Grants Pass took against homeless people, it is surprising that these liberal bastions that you’re mentioning are siding with the town in this case.

Just to be clear, they are not saying that they support necessarily the way that Grants Pass or Boise had enforced their laws. But they are saying that the court rulings have tied their hands with this ambiguous decision on how to act.

And what exactly is so ambiguous about the Boise decision? Which if I remember correctly, simply said that if someone is involuntarily homeless, if they’re on the streets because there’s no adequate shelter space available, they can’t be punished for that.

Yeah. So there are a couple of things that are common threads in the cities and the groups that are asking for clarity from the court. And the first thing is that they’re saying, what is adequate shelter? That every homeless person situation is different, so what are cities or places required to provide for people who are homeless? What is the standard that they need to meet?

In order not to sleep on the street.

That’s right. So if the standard is that a city has to have enough beds for everyone who is homeless but certain kinds of shelters or beds wouldn’t qualify, then what are the rules around that? And the second thing is that they’re asking for clarity around what “involuntarily homeless” means. And so in the Boise decision, that meant that someone is involuntarily homeless if there is not enough bed space for them to go to.

But a lot of cities are saying, what about people who don’t want to go into a shelter even if there’s a shelter bed available? If they have a pet or if they are a smoker or if something might prohibit them from going to a shelter, how is the city supposed to weigh that and at what point would they cross a line for the court?

It’s almost a philosophical question. Like, if somebody doesn’t want to be in a shelter, are they still allowed to sleep in a public space?

Yeah. I mean, these are complicated questions that go beyond the Eighth Amendment argument but that a lot of the organizations that have reached out to the court through these friend of the court briefs are asking.

OK. I can see that the unifying element here is that in all these briefs various people from across the spectrum are saying, hello, Supreme Court. We basically need some clarity here. Give us some clarity.

The question that I have is why did the Supreme Court agree to weigh in on Grants Pass after declining to take up Boise?

Well, it’s not possible for us to say for certain because the Supreme Court does not give reasons why it has agreed to hear or to not hear a case. They get thousands of cases a year, and they take up just a few of those, and their deliberations are secret. But we can point to a few things.

One is that the makeup of the court has changed. The court has gained conservative justices in the last few years. This court has not been shy about taking up hot button issues across the spectrum of American society. In this case, the court hasn’t heard a major homelessness case like this.

But I would really point to the sheer number and the range of the people who are petitioning the court to take a look at this case. These are major players in the country who are asking the court for guidance, and the Supreme Court does weigh in on issues of national importance. And the people who are asking for help clearly believe that this is one of those issues.

So let’s start digging into the actual arguments. And maybe let’s start with the city of Grants Pass. What are the central arguments that they’re expected to make before the Supreme Court?

So the city’s arguments turn on this narrow legal issue of whether the Eighth Amendment applies or doesn’t. And they say that it doesn’t. But I actually think that in some ways, that’s not the most helpful way to understanding what Grants Pass is arguing.

What is really at the heart of their argument is that if the court upholds Grants Pass and Boise, that they are tying the hands of Grants Pass and hundreds of other towns and cities to actually act to solve and respond to homelessness. And by that, I mean to solve issues of people camping in the parks but also more broadly of public safety issues, of being able to address problems as they arise in a fluid and flexible way in the varied ways that they’re going to show up in all these different places.

And their argument is if the court accepts the Grants Pass and Boise holdings, that they will be constitutionalizing or freezing in place and limiting all of these governments from acting.

Right. This is essentially the argument being repeated again and again in those briefs that you mentioned earlier, that unless the Supreme Court overturns these decisions, it’s almost impossible for these cities to get the encampments under control.

Yes, that’s right. And they also argue they need to have flexibility in dealing actually with people who are homeless and being able to figure out using a local ordinance to try to convince someone to go to treatment, that they say they need carrots and sticks. They need to be able to use every tool that they can to be able to try to solve this problem.

And how do we make sense of that argument when Grants Pass is clearly not using that many tools to deal with homeless people? For example, it didn’t have shelters, as you mentioned.

So the city’s argument is that this just should not be an Eighth Amendment issue, that this is the wrong way to think about this case, that issues around homelessness and how a city handles it is a policy question. So things like shelter beds or the way that the city is handling their ordinances should really be left up to policymakers and city officials, not to this really broad constitutional argument. And so therefore, the city is likely to focus their argument entirely on this very narrow question.

And how does the other side counter this argument?

The homeless plaintiffs are going to argue that there’s nothing in the lower courts’ decisions that say that cities can’t enforce their laws that, they can’t stop people from littering, that they can’t stop drug use, that they can’t clear encampments if there becomes public safety problems. They’re just saying that a city cannot not provide shelter and then make it illegal for people to lay down and sleep.

So both sides are saying that a city should be able to take action when there’s public disorder as a result of these homeless encampments. But they’re pointing at each other and saying, the way you want to handle homelessness is wrong.

I think everyone in this case agrees that homelessness and the increase in homelessness is bad for everyone. It’s bad for people who are camping in the park. It is bad for the community, that nobody is saying that the current situation is tenable. Everyone is saying there need to be solutions. We need to be able to figure out what to do about homelessness and how to care for people who are homeless.

How do we wrestle with all these problems? It’s just that the way that they think about it couldn’t be further apart.

And what can you tell me about how the Supreme Court is actually expected to rule in this?

There are a number of ways that the justices could decide on this case. They could take a really narrow approach and just focus on Grants Pass and the arguments about those local ordinances. I think that’s somewhat unlikely because they’ve decided to take up this case of national importance.

A ruling in favor of the homeless plaintiffs would mean that they’ve accepted this Eighth Amendment argument, that you cannot criminalize being homeless. And a ruling for the city, every legal expert I’ve talked to has said that would mean an end to Boise and that it would break apart the current state that we’ve been living in for these last several years.

I’m struck by how much this case and our conversation has been about policing homelessness rather than actually addressing the root causes of homelessness. We’re not really talking about, say, the right to shelter or the right to treatment for people who are mentally ill and sleeping on the streets as a result, which is quite a big proportion. And at the end of the day, whatever way the ruling goes, it will be about the visibility of homelessness and not the root causes.

Yeah, I think that’s right. That’s really what’s looming in the background of this case is what impact is it going to have. Will it make things better or worse and for who? And these court cases have really become this talking point for cities and for their leaders, blaming the spike in encampments and the visibility of homelessness on these court decisions. But homelessness, everyone acknowledges, is such a complicated issue.

People have told me in interviews for the story, they’ve blamed increases in homelessness on everything from the pandemic to forest fires to skyrocketing housing costs in the West Coast, and that the role that Boise and now Grants Pass play in this has always been a little hard to pin down. And if the Supreme Court overturns those cases, then we’ll really see whether they were the obstacle that political leaders said that they were. And if these cases fall, it remains to be seen whether cities do try to find all these creative solutions with housing and services to try to help people who are homeless or whether they once again fall back on just sending people to jail.

Abbie, thank you very much.

Thank you so much.

Here’s what else you need to know today. Early on Friday, Israel attacked a military base in Central Iran. The explosion came less than a week after Iran’s attack on Israel last weekend and was part of a cycle of retaliation that has brought the shadow war between the two countries out in the open. The scale and method of Friday’s attack remained unclear, and the initial reaction in both Israel and Iran was to downplay its significance. World leaders have urged both sides to exercise restraint in order to avoid sparking a broader war in the region.

And 12 New Yorkers have been selected to decide Donald Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan, clearing the way for opening statements to begin as early as Monday. Seven new jurors were added in short order on Thursday afternoon, hours after two others who had already been picked were abruptly excused.

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment made to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign. If the jury convicts him, he faces up to four years in prison. Finally —

This is the New York Police Department.

The New York Police Department said it took at least 108 protesters into custody at Columbia University after University officials called the police to respond to a pro-Palestinian demonstration and dismantle a tent encampment.

We’re supporting Palestine. We’re supporting Palestine. 1, 2, 3, 4.

The crackdown prompted more students to vow that demonstrations would continue, expressing outrage at both the roundup of the student protesters and the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

Free, free Palestine.

Today’s episode was produced by Olivia Natt, Stella Tan, and Eric Krupke with help from Rachelle Bonja. It was edited by Liz Baylen, fact checked by Susan Lee, contains original music by Will Reid Pat McCusker Dan Powell and Diane Wong and was engineered by Chris Wood. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.

That’s it for “The Daily.” I’m Katrin Bennhold. See you on Monday.

• April 26, 2024   •   21:50 Harvey Weinstein Conviction Thrown Out
• April 25, 2024   •   40:33 The Crackdown on Student Protesters
• April 24, 2024   •   32:18 Is $60 Billion Enough to Save Ukraine?
• April 23, 2024   •   30:30 A Salacious Conspiracy or Just 34 Pieces of Paper?
• April 22, 2024   •   24:30 The Evolving Danger of the New Bird Flu
• April 19, 2024   •   30:42 The Supreme Court Takes Up Homelessness
• April 18, 2024   •   30:07 The Opening Days of Trump’s First Criminal Trial
• April 17, 2024   •   24:52 Are ‘Forever Chemicals’ a Forever Problem?
• April 16, 2024   •   29:29 A.I.’s Original Sin
• April 15, 2024   •   24:07 Iran’s Unprecedented Attack on Israel
• April 14, 2024   •   46:17 The Sunday Read: ‘What I Saw Working at The National Enquirer During Donald Trump’s Rise’
• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Featuring Abbie VanSickle

Produced by Olivia Natt ,  Stella Tan ,  Eric Krupke and Rachelle Bonja

Edited by Liz O. Baylen

Original music by Will Reid ,  Pat McCusker ,  Dan Powell and Diane Wong

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Debates over homeless encampments in the United States have intensified as their number has surged. To tackle the problem, some cities have enforced bans on public camping.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments about whether such actions are legal, Abbie VanSickle, who covers the court for The Times, discusses the case and its far-reaching implications.

On today’s episode

Abbie VanSickle , a Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading

A ruling in the case could help determine how states, particularly those in the West, grapple with a rising homelessness crisis .

In a rare alliance, Democrats and Republicans are seeking legal power to clear homeless camps .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

Fact-checking by Susan Lee .

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Abbie VanSickle covers the United States Supreme Court for The Times. She is a lawyer and has an extensive background in investigative reporting. More about Abbie VanSickle

Advertisement