Deoksugung Dondeokjeon

The Story of Deoksugung Dondeokjeon at Your Child's Eye Level

What Is Deoksugung Dondeokjeon?

• Dondeokjeon is a very special building located inside Deoksugung Palace in the heart of Seoul.
• It was built in 1902 to 1903 as a Western-style state guesthouse to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Emperor Gojong's accession.
• Its name carries the meaning of building trust with people of virtue.
• At first, it was a modern space where diplomatic envoys from different countries stayed, and where banquets and important events were held.
• It disappeared for a time, but was restored after 100 years and reopened in 2023.

What to See and Special Features of Dondeokjeon

1. The charm of Western-style architecture

   • This Western-style brick building lets you feel the elegance of the imperial palace, with details such as railings decorated with beautiful plum blossom patterns.
   • It was created with inspiration from the ornate architectural styles that were popular in Paris, France, giving it a distinctive and elegant look.

2. Hands-on history exhibitions

   • On the first floor, you can see scenes from the Korean Empire period and international events through video and media art.
   • Part of the floor is made of transparent glass, so you can also observe ruins beneath Dondeokjeon and excavated artifacts.
   • On the second floor, you will find interesting exhibits on the history of diplomacy and the culture of the Korean Empire, along with an archive space where you can take a break.

3. Why it is great to visit with kids

   • The exhibition halls are filled with things your kids may find interesting, including old photographs and media works.
   • Re-created banquet halls and foreign envoys' lodgings help your family imagine what life was like at the time.
   • Along with comfortable indoor exhibitions, you can also enjoy a walk around the palace grounds, making it a wonderful choice for a family outing.

Visitor Information

• Location: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul, inside Deoksugung Palace.
• Hours: Deoksugung Palace is open from 09:00 to 21:00, with final entry at 20:00. It is closed every Monday. Final entry to Dondeokjeon is at 17:00.
• There is no separate admission fee for Dondeokjeon, but a Deoksugung Palace admission ticket is required.
  • For Korean nationals ages 25 to 64, admission is 1,000 won for individuals and 800 won for groups of 10 people or more.
  • The same applies to foreign visitors.
• Free admission applies to: ages 18 and under, ages 65 and over, the last Wednesday of every month, and visitors wearing hanbok
  • Residents of Jung-gu receive a 50% discount.
• Stroller rental and accessibility facilities for visitors with disabilities are available inside Deoksugung Palace, so the whole family can visit comfortably.

Good Things to Know Before You Go

• Deoksugung Dondeokjeon is located just behind Seokjojeon, so look for it near the end of your walk through the palace grounds.
• Inside the same palace, you can also find special buildings such as Jeonggwanheon, where Emperor Gojong once drank coffee.
• With beautiful trees and historic buildings throughout the palace, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a history outing with your child.

"Deoksugung Dondeokjeon is a place where you can experience the spirit of Korea's modern history, the beauty of Western-style architecture, and a variety of family-friendly experiences all at once. Enjoy a lovely palace walk and create a special history memory for your child!"