[Introduction]
Changgyeong Palace was the third palace compound built in Joseon, following Gyeongbok Palace, the main palace and Changdeok Palace.
Many kings preferred to stay at Changdeok Palace and the number of royal family residents mounted, filling it to capacity. Therefore, King Seongjong(r. 1469-94) had Changgyeong Palace built next to Changdeok Palace to serve three queen dowagers (who had been queen during the reigns of Sejo, Deokjong and Yejong)
Initially, Changgyeong Palace was not meant to serve as a seat of government but rather as a residence. It was simply an expansion of Sugang-gung, where Taejong(r. 1400-18) had lived after he abdicated the throne to Sejong(r. 1418-50). Therefore, it is quite different from Joseon's first two palace compounds.
The halls are quite small and relatively few. The layout is loose, similar to Changdeok Palace, with buildings positioned according to the topography. For example, Jagyeong-jeon, the residence for King Jeongjo's mother, was built on a hill. This is unlike Gyeongbok Palace, with the major halls aligned north and south on a wide open space.
Second, the main gate and throne hall face east, unlike the norm, which is south. On the other hand, the major residential buildings and other administrative hall do look south. This may be because the buildings were placed according to the topography. The site has hills to the north, south and west; the only flat area is toward the east.
Last, the residential “inner” halls are bigger than the administrative “outer” halls because the compound was intended for residential use. This compound is the scene for many stories about the life of royal family members, from king's filial piety and respect for their parents to the love and hatred between the king and crown prince to the conflicts between the queen and the king's concubines.
Changgyeong Palace has been referred to as one of the “eastern palaces”, along with Changdeok Palace. It is just east of Changdeok Palace and connected to the Royal Ancestral Shrine to the south.
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[Main Place]
Honghwamun Gate
As a main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace, 'Honghwa(弘化)' literally means 'promoting harmony,' in other words, 'inspiring the public through exercise of virtue.' This gate was constructed at the same time when Changgyeonggung was established, destroyed during Imjinwaeran (Japanese Invasion of Joseon in 1592~1598), and rebuilt in 1616.
Honghwamun served as a platform where a king met the citizens. King Yeongjo (1694~1774, r. 1726~1774) collected public opinion in 1750 before enforcing Gyunyeok Act (Equalized Tax Act). In 1795, King Jeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) handed rice out to the poors commemorating the 60th birthday of the Queen Mother Hyegyeonggung (1735~1815). This event is well depicted in the painting titled as Honghwamun Samido (Handing Rice Out at Honghwamun Gate).
Honghwamun served as a platform where a king met the citizens. King Yeongjo (1694~1774, r. 1726~1774) collected public opinion in 1750 before enforcing Gyunyeok Act (Equalized Tax Act). In 1795, King Jeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) handed rice out to the poors commemorating the 60th birthday of the Queen Mother Hyegyeonggung (1735~1815). This event is well depicted in the painting titled as Honghwamun Samido (Handing Rice Out at Honghwamun Gate).
Myeongjeongmun Gate
Facing Myeongjeonjeon Hall, this gate is situated in the center of the eastern wolang (the servants quarters on both sides of the gate). As the gate is located in the inner part of Honghwamun Gate, it serves as a middle gate having the form of pyeongsammun (a gate with three equal-height doors). The gate is not exactly on the west-east axis of Myengjeonjeon Hall but 1.2m away to the south, and accordingly, jungjeong (inner garden) has the shape of a slanted rectangle not a precise square. This building is a three-kan (one kan being a unit of measurement of the space between two columns) by two-kan structure with a column-top complex bracket system and a hip and gable roof. The building stands on a circular-shaped foundation stone and its each front kan has two wooden doors. According to its bracket system style and architectural structure, the gate appears to remain intact since it has been rebuilt during King Gwanghae (1575~1641, r. 1608~1623)'s reign.
Myeongjeongjeon Hall
Myeongjeongjeon Hall is a jeongjeon (main hall) of the Changgyeonggung Palace where the official, royal rituals and events took place such as a king's enthronement, congratulatory ceremonies, state examinations, and royal receptions. For instance, King Injong (1515~1545, r. 1544~1545) ascended the throne at this hall and 66-year-old King Yeongjo (1694~1776, r. 1724~1776) and 15-year-old Queen Jeongsun (1745~1805)'s wedding ceremony was held here. Erected in 1484, destroyed during Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion of Joseon in 1592~1598), and rebuilt in 1616, this building is considered the oldest jeongjeon of its kind, but relatively small in comparison to other two-story jeongjeons such as Geunjeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace or Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace. This is because Myeongjeongjeon Hall was initially built to be used as the queen's quarters, not for the king's official events.
The front garden displays a royal formality including wide, flat stone pavement and samdo (three passages) in the center. The two-rows of stones situated on the front garden are called pumgyeseok (a stone where an official rank is carved). During an official event, a government official stood next to each stone matching his rank. Accordingly, centering the middle passage for a king's walk referred to as eodo (king's passage), literary officials were placed on the right side of a king while military officials were positioned on his left.
Dapdo, a rectangle shaped stone located in the center of the stairs, refers to a stone above which a king's planquin was carried.
Inside of the building, yongsang (a king's seat) is located in the center and its behind, a folding screen featuring the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks is placed. The sun and moon refer to a king and queen or yang and yin each while the five peaks mean the Five-Elements or the whole nation. The painting implies the national prosperity and welfare of the people.
The front garden displays a royal formality including wide, flat stone pavement and samdo (three passages) in the center. The two-rows of stones situated on the front garden are called pumgyeseok (a stone where an official rank is carved). During an official event, a government official stood next to each stone matching his rank. Accordingly, centering the middle passage for a king's walk referred to as eodo (king's passage), literary officials were placed on the right side of a king while military officials were positioned on his left.
Dapdo, a rectangle shaped stone located in the center of the stairs, refers to a stone above which a king's planquin was carried.
Inside of the building, yongsang (a king's seat) is located in the center and its behind, a folding screen featuring the Sun, Moon and Five Peaks is placed. The sun and moon refer to a king and queen or yang and yin each while the five peaks mean the Five-Elements or the whole nation. The painting implies the national prosperity and welfare of the people.
Munjeongjeon Hall
Munjeongjeon Hall is pyeonjeon (a king's office) where a king handled the work with his officials and made an important policy decision. The hall was rebuilt in 1616 after burned down during Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion of Joseon in 1592~1598) but destroyed again during Japanese colonial period. Present building was reconsturcted in 1986.
This hall has also served as honjeon (a building where an ancestral tablet of a royal family was enshrined). Notably, the tablets for the deceased queen consorts of King Yeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) and King Cheoljong (1831~1863, r. 1849~1863) had been kept here.
Munjeongjeon Hall is well known for the tragic history of Prince Sado (1735~1762), a son of King Yeongjo. Prince Sado was locked in a wooden chest and demoted to an ordinary citizen by his father King Yeongjo's command here at this hall. Prince Sado and the chest were later moved to a garden located inside of Seoninmun Gate. After 8 days of hunger and the heat, Prince Sado died in the chest.
This hall has also served as honjeon (a building where an ancestral tablet of a royal family was enshrined). Notably, the tablets for the deceased queen consorts of King Yeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) and King Cheoljong (1831~1863, r. 1849~1863) had been kept here.
Munjeongjeon Hall is well known for the tragic history of Prince Sado (1735~1762), a son of King Yeongjo. Prince Sado was locked in a wooden chest and demoted to an ordinary citizen by his father King Yeongjo's command here at this hall. Prince Sado and the chest were later moved to a garden located inside of Seoninmun Gate. After 8 days of hunger and the heat, Prince Sado died in the chest.
Sungmundang Hall
'Sungmun(崇文)' literally means 'revering a writing or literature.' This Sungmundang Hall was used as a king's study hall where the officials gave lectures on Confucian classics to the king. King Yeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) had academic meetings and discussions with royal family members or students of Seonggyungwan National Academy. While exact year of its establishment is unknown, this building was rebuilt in 1834 after the fire in 1830. A signboard handwritten by King Yeongjo is hung on the inside wall. Extracted from Book of Odes (詩經), this text, Ilgamjaeja (日監在玆), demonstrates the importance of maintaining respectful attitude.
Haminjeong Pavilion
Haminjeong Pavilion was built in 1633, destroyed due to fire in 1830, and rebuilt in 1834. Inyangjeon Pavilion was initially situated here in this site but destroyed during Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion of Jorea in 1592~1598).
Haminjeong Pavilion was used as a king's study hall where the officials gave lectures on Confucian classics to the king. King Yeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) greeted the successful candidates for state literary and military examinations here at this pavilion.
Present building has an open structure without the outer walls while Donggwoldo (The Eastern Palaces) painted in the 19th century depicts it as a pavilion with three-sided walls.
Hung on each four-sided inner walls, four signboards contain Chinese Gu Kaizhi (349?~410?)'s poem called Four Seasons and create a quaint beauty of the pavilion.
Haminjeong Pavilion was used as a king's study hall where the officials gave lectures on Confucian classics to the king. King Yeongjo (1752~1800, r. 1776~1800) greeted the successful candidates for state literary and military examinations here at this pavilion.
Present building has an open structure without the outer walls while Donggwoldo (The Eastern Palaces) painted in the 19th century depicts it as a pavilion with three-sided walls.
Hung on each four-sided inner walls, four signboards contain Chinese Gu Kaizhi (349?~410?)'s poem called Four Seasons and create a quaint beauty of the pavilion.
Yanghwadang Hall
Yanghwadang Hall was mostly used as part of a king or queen's living quarters. As exceptions, King Injo (1595~1649, r. 1623~1649) stayed at this hall in a long term after Byeongjahoran (Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636) and held a reception for Qing envoys. The consort of King Cheoljong (1831~1863, r. 1849~1863) passed away here. Present building was rebuilt in 1834 after burned down in 1830.
Tongmyeongjeon Hall
Located in a secluded inner palace, Tongmyeongjeon Hall was mainly used as a queen's living quarters. This southern-facing building stood on gidan (a stone platform) and the beneath woldae (a large square podium mainly consturcted in front of an important building). Flat stones were paved on the outdoor garden where the royal rituals and events were held.
This place is renown for a bizzare story about Lady Jang (1688~1694, Jang Ok-jeong widely known as Jang Hee-bin). Lady Jang was a royal concubine and later became the queen consort of King Sukjong (1661~1720, r. 1674~1720). In 1694, when her predecessor Queen Inhyeon (1667~1701) returned to the palace and Lady Jang was demoted from the queen consort, Lady Jang attempted to curse Queen Inhyeon through making a shamanistic altar and burying hideous things. This caused Lady Jang's death and her body was moved to outside of the palace through Seoninmun Gate, the side door of the palace, not through the main Honghwamun Gate.
There is a spring behind the Tongmyeongjeon Hall. In 1757, King Yeongjo (1694~1774, r. 1726~1774) named it as 'yeolcheon (冽泉)' meaning 'fiery cold spring water.' A pond situated in the west of this hall was made in 1485 to prevent overflow of the pond.
This place is renown for a bizzare story about Lady Jang (1688~1694, Jang Ok-jeong widely known as Jang Hee-bin). Lady Jang was a royal concubine and later became the queen consort of King Sukjong (1661~1720, r. 1674~1720). In 1694, when her predecessor Queen Inhyeon (1667~1701) returned to the palace and Lady Jang was demoted from the queen consort, Lady Jang attempted to curse Queen Inhyeon through making a shamanistic altar and burying hideous things. This caused Lady Jang's death and her body was moved to outside of the palace through Seoninmun Gate, the side door of the palace, not through the main Honghwamun Gate.
There is a spring behind the Tongmyeongjeon Hall. In 1757, King Yeongjo (1694~1774, r. 1726~1774) named it as 'yeolcheon (冽泉)' meaning 'fiery cold spring water.' A pond situated in the west of this hall was made in 1485 to prevent overflow of the pond.
Hwangyeongjeon Hall
Hwangyeongjeon Hall was erected in 1484, destroyed due to fire during Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion of Joseon in 1592~1598), rebuilt in 1616, burned down in 1830, and reconstructed in 1834.
This hall was mainly used as a a king or prince's living quarters. King Jungjong (1488~1544, r. 1506~1544) was born at this hall while Prince Sohyeon (1612~1645) passed away here. Historic records demonstrate this building has also served as honjeon (a building where an ancestral tablet of a royal family was enshrined) or binjeon (a building where a body or coffin of a decease royal family was kept).
This hall was mainly used as a a king or prince's living quarters. King Jungjong (1488~1544, r. 1506~1544) was born at this hall while Prince Sohyeon (1612~1645) passed away here. Historic records demonstrate this building has also served as honjeon (a building where an ancestral tablet of a royal family was enshrined) or binjeon (a building where a body or coffin of a decease royal family was kept).
Chundangji Pond
Chundangji Pond is comprised of two parts. Lower part was initially used as naenongpo (a farm where official enuchs cultivated vegetables to pay a tribute to the king). The king also held a ritual here in which he farmed himself. In 1909, the pond was made by Japanese and renovated in Korean traditional form in 1986. Small, upper part of the pond was the original location of this pond.
Grand Greenhouse
Established in 1909, this Grand Greenhouse is Korea's first western style greenhouse. This greenhouse was built together with a zoo inside of the Changgyeonggung Palace by Japanese colonial government under the pretext of consoling Emperor Sunjong (1874~1926, r. 1907~1910) who resided at Changdeokgung Palace, near Changgyeonggung, at the time. Designed by a Japanese designer and constructed by a French company, this western style building has mixed structures of steel frame and wood, and its exterior is covered in glass. When construction of the house was completed, rare plants such as ornamental plants from tropical areas were displayed. Korean native plants have been exhibited since the palace was restored in 1986. In 2004, the Grand Greenhouse was listed on the State-Registered Cultural Heritage No. 83.
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