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Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of many [[Joseon]] princes and retained many elements dating from the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] period that were not incorporated in the more contemporary [[Gyeongbokgung]]. One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it. It, like the other Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, was heavily damaged during the [[Korea under Japanese rule|Japanese occupation]] of Korea (1910–1945). Currently, only about 30% of the pre-Japanese structures of the East Palace Complex (Changdeokgung together with [[Changgyeonggung]]) survive.<ref>[http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20090227022009 [서울신문] “일제가 궁궐 이렇게 훼손” 설계도면 첫 공개]. Seoul.co.kr (2009-02-27). Retrieved on 2013-07-12.</ref>
== Structures ==
The palace was built between Peak Maebong of Mt. Bugaksan in the back and River Geumcheon having flowing in the front influenced by the principle "baesanimsu" (배산임수) in [[Feng Shui]] theory. Contrary to Gyeongbokgung whose main buildings are arranged in accurate architectural principle, however, buildings in Changdeokgung are disposed more freely without a regular system. Though its structure seems chaotic at a glance, all buildings are in harmony with the environment surrounding them.
Changdeokgung consists of governmental area (치조, 治朝, ''chijo'') centering on Injeongjeon and Seonjeongjeon, royal private area (침전, 寢殿, ''chimjeon'', meaning 'a house of king's bedroom'), Nakseonjae area in the east, and Huwon beyond the north hills. Most of major official buildings such as Injeongjeon, main hall of Changdeokgung, Seonjeongjeon, king's office, and many of government offices (궐내각사, 闕內各司, ''gwollaegaksa'') are placed in the front parts of the palace, beyond which there are royal private court for king and queen. King's houses like Seonjeongjeon, Huijeongdang, and Nakseonjae are surrounded in many folds of buildings and courts in case any outsider break through. The architectural style of Changdeokgung overall features simplicity and frugality because of [[Confucian]] ideology.
Structures of particular interest include:
[[File:Injeongjeon, Changdeok Palace.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Injeongjeon, Main Hall]]
* '''Donhwamun Gate''' – The main palace gate. Built in 1412, Donhwamun has a two-story pavilion-type wooden structure, and is the largest of all palace gates. Donhwamun was burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and was restored in 1608.
* '''Geumcheongyo Bridge ''' – Oldest bridge still extant in Seoul. Built 1411.
* '''Injeongjeon Hall''' (National Treasure) – The throne hall of Changdeokgung, it was used for major state affairs including the coronation of a new king and receiving foreign envoys. Originally built in 1405, it was rebuilt in 1610 after being burned down during the 1592 Japanese invasion, and a third time in 1804 after being destroyed by a fire.
* '''Seonjeongjeon Hall''' – An office for ruling officials. The king held daily meetings with ministers, reported on state affairs and seminars here.
* '''Huijeongdang Hall''' – Originally the king's bed chamber, it became his workplace after Seonjeongjeon was deemed too small for conducting routine state affairs. The original Huijeongdang was destroyed by a fire in 1917. The reconstructed structure is completely different from the original due to recent Western influences. Wooden floorboards and carpets, glass windows, and chandeliers can be seen inside the building.
* '''Daejojeon Hall''' – Official residence of the queen. Destroyed by fire in 1917, it was rebuilt with materials taken from Gyeongbokgung. Daejojeon was used as a residence for the last empress of Joseon, allowing us a glimpse into the final years of the royal household of the Joseon Dynasty.
* '''Juhamnu Pavilion''' ([[Kyujanggak]]) – Royal libraries stood in this area. State exams were conducted in front of the pavilion on special occasions in presence of the king.
* '''Yeon-gyeongdang Residence''' – Built in 1827, it was an audience hall modeled after a typical literati house.
===Huwon===
[[Image:Korea-Seoul-Changdeokgung-31.jpg|thumb|200px|left|alt=A small colorful wooden pavilion on a pond covered with lotus leaves|Buyongjeong Pavilion (pre-2012 restoration) and Buyeongji pond at the Huwon area]]
Behind the palace lies the 78-acre (32 ha) Huwon (후원, 後苑, ''Rear garden'') which was originally constructed for the use of the royal family and palace women. The garden incorporates a lotus pond, pavilions, and landscaped lawns, trees, and flowers. There are over 26,000 specimens of a hundred different species of trees in the garden and some of the trees behind the palace are over 300 years old. The garden for the private use of the king had been called 'Geumwon' (금원, 禁苑, ''Forbidden garden'') because even high officials were not allowed to enter without the king's permission. It had also been called 'Naewon' (내원, 內苑, 'Inner garden'). Today Koreans often call it 'Biwon' (비원, 秘院, ''Secret garden'') which derived from the office of same name in the late 19th century. Though the garden had many other names, the one most frequently used through [[Joseon dynasty|Joseon dynasty period]] was 'Huwon'.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tourist sites confront translation troubles|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2927546|access-date=15 April 2013|newspaper=Joongang Daily|date=26 October 2010|author=Seo Ji-eun|author2=Moon Gwang-lip|author3=Kim Hyung-eun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.is/20130629135550/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2927546|archive-date=29 June 2013}}</ref>
In September 2012, the Buyongjeong pavilion in the garden was re-opened after a year-long restoration project. The pavilion was restored based on the [[Donggwoldo]] from 1820, [[National Treasures of South Korea]] No. 249.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ancient Palace Pavilion Restored|url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?nCategoryID=1&SearchType=&keyword=&gotoPage=1&cid=1726710&cCode=&nCategoryID=&searchType=&searchKeyword=|work=Korea Tourism Organization|access-date=4 October 2012}}</ref>
A variety of ceremonies hosted by the king were held in Huwon. In the early period of the Joseon dynasty, military inspections in which the king participated were often held here. [[Sejo of Joseon|King Sejo]] had troops parade and array before him or commanded them by himself in the garden. In addition, feasts were given, archery tournaments held, and fireworks enjoyed in Huwon.
The Ongnyucheon (옥류천, 玉流川, "Jade Stream") area is of particular interest. It contains a U-shaped water channel carved in 1636 for floating wine cups, with a small waterfall and an inscribed poem on the boulder above it. The area also contains five small pavilions.
==World Heritage==
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