Daehanmun Gate — Attraction in Seoul

As the main gate to Deoksugung Palace, this Daehanmun (大漢門) looks really simple and humble. This is not surprising after finding out that this eastern gate only became the main gate with the new city center development around the area. The original main gate was Inhwamun (仁化門) located in the south.

This main gate is where visitors get the entrance ticket (KRW 1,000 each for adult), but it is advisable to get the Royal Palace Pass (cost KRW 6,000 each in 2024). This allows admission to 4 palaces, namely Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung (excluding secret garden), Changgyeonggung and Deoksugung as well as Jongmyo Shrine within 3 months. Buying the tickets separately will cost KRW 8,000 in total.

While it is well known that there's Royal Guard Changing Ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace, in fact, this Deoksugung also has its own royal guard changing ceremony held in front of this Daehanmun (大漢門) main gate. The ceremony happens daily at 11:00am , 14:00pm, and 15:30 pm, except for Mondays (where the palaces are closed to visitors). Worth spending 20-30 minutes if you...

Daehanmun is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace. 'Daehan' means "Hanyang will prosper." Hanyang refers to the sunny region north of the Han River and was the old name for Seoul, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. 'Han' means 'Han River', and 'yang' means 'north of the water' or 'sunny place, reflecting Hanyang's geographical characteristics. Originally built as the east gate of Gyeongungung Palace, it was demolished for road construction in front of Inhwamun, the main gate and south gate of Deoksugung Palace. Following a fire in 1904, Daeanmun on the east side was renamed Daehanmun and designated as...

Entrance to Deoksugung Palace, worth a visit as a peaceful refuge from the buzz of Myeongdong. The stonewall road (Deoksugung Doldamgil) along the outside of the palace is every bit as pretty as the...