There is a beautiful rear garden in Changdeokgung Palace. It is also known as the Secret Garden, “Biwon” in Korean, and other names like Huwon, Bugwon, and Geumwon. It was built behind the inner hall and served as a rest area for the royal family.

The Secret Garden was built along with the construction of Changdeokung Palace in 1406. It began with building the Haeonjeong Pavilion and digging a pond in front of it. In 1463, the Secret Garden was greatly expanded by demolishing private houses in the east and north. However, it was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. Eventually, its buildings and ponds were restored in 1610 through the restoration project of Changdeokgung Palace.

The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace is one of the most beautiful gardens in Korea, which keeps most of the natural features of hills and small valleys by adding only little human intervention. There are many pavilions and fountains on the large site. Moving from the large Buyongji Pond to other ponds like the Aeryeonji Pond, you may find more beautiful scenery the more you go inside the garden. Also, in the deep forest on the west, there are halls for performing rituals, such as Sinseonwonjeon Hall.

The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace is accessible from both Changgyeonggung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace. However, it only allows a specific number of visitors to be accompanied by a guide for a specific period of time every day. Tickets must be purchased for entry to the Secret Garden. You may purchase the admission ticket to the Secret Garden at the ticket office in front of the garden entrance.