Changdeokgung Palace's Prime Hall Injeongjeon Interior to Be Opened to Public

English, Japanese, and Chinese Tours Available

Jingjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace, where important Joseon Dynasty ceremonies were held, is opening its doors to visitors. The Cultural Heritage Administration's Palace and Royal Tombs Headquarters announced on the 20th that guided tours inside Jingjeon Hall will be conducted every Wednesday through Sunday throughout March.

Changdeokgung Injeongjeon Hall exterior view
[Photo by National Heritage Administration]

Designated as a National Treasure in 1985, Jingjeon Hall is the main hall of Changdeokgung Palace, serving as the throne hall. The throne hall was the place where important and official state ceremonies such as the king’s enthronement, formal greetings from officials, and receptions of foreign envoys were held, symbolizing royal authority.

Jingjeon Hall was first constructed in 1405 during the reign of King Taejong of Joseon (r. 1400?1418). It was burned down during the Imjin War and rebuilt in 1804 as the current structure. Twelve-foot-high columns were erected, and between the columns, doors made of four panels called sabunhap (four-panel doors that open and close) and wide windows were installed without walls. The bracket system above the columns features naesachulmok (inner four-way brackets) and oesamchulmok (outer three-way brackets), demonstrating late Joseon architectural techniques.

Although the exterior appears as a two-story building, the interior is a single open space without floor divisions. The ceiling center is painted with two phoenixes among clouds, maximizing the space’s authority and splendor.

Deep inside is the king’s seat, the eojwa (御座), and behind it is the Ilwol Obongdo, a painting symbolizing the world ruled by the king, depicting the sun, moon, and five peaks. When Emperor Sunjong moved his residence to Changdeokgung in 1907, repairs introduced modern elements such as electric lights, glass windows, and curtains.

Visitors examining Injeongjeon Hall at Changdeokgung Palace
[Photo by National Heritage Administration]

Guided tours with Korean explanations are held at 9:30 AM (Wednesday and Thursday) and 10:30 AM (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). English explanations are available at 10:15 AM on Wednesday and Thursday, Japanese at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, and Chinese at 10:00 AM on Thursday. Each session is limited to twenty participants. Reservations can be made through the Palace and Royal Tombs Headquarters integrated reservation website.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.