The Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is one of the most representative pavilions of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It stands at the center of a square pond named Hyangwonji Pond, which is in the garden of the Naegung Palace area, also called the inner court area. Its name means “a pavilion of far-reaching fragrance.” Considering the lush trees and flowers surrounding the garden and pavilion, it becomes full of fragrance when the flowers bloom. Hyangwonjeong Pavilion is a two-story pavilion built by Emperor Gojong with an island in the center by digging a pond in front of it when the Geoncheonggung Palace was built in 1873.
Chwihyanggyo Bridge allows people to reach Hyangwonjeong Pavilion from Geoncheonggung Palace. Chwihyanggyo Bridge was installed in the northern part of the pond in 1873, which is the longest wooden bridge built on the pond during the Joseon Dynasty. However, the bridge was destroyed during the Korean War and reconstructed to its present form on the south side of the pond in 1953. The bridge was moved back to its original location on the north side, and construction on the restoration project was completed in 2021.
Besides, an innovation had happened in the Hyangwonji Pond. Emperor Gojong was very interested in new cultures. He had built the first power plant on the north side of Hyangwonji Pond, which lit up the Geonchoeonggung Palace at night. That was the first lamp in the Joseon Dynasty. Since the power generator worked in a water-cooling system, it needed water to cool down the heated steam. Therefore, the water from Hyangwonji Pond was brought in and used as cooling water, the electricity was called “water fire”.