The story
Hello, I’m Avsha. Step softly with me as we cross the threshold into the Huwon, the Secret Garden of Changdeokgung Palace. For six centuries, this landscape was the private sanctuary of the Joseon kings, a hidden world where the noise of the capital fades into the rustle of maple leaves and the scent of damp earth.
Unlike the grand, symmetrical palaces you might see elsewhere, the Huwon was designed with a philosophy of "unforced beauty." Here, the buildings do not conquer the hills; they sit quietly among them, like guests invited to a long-standing conversation with nature. As we move forward, we arrive at the heart of the garden: Buyongji Pond.
Look at the water reflecting the sky. In the center sits a round island, and at the edge, the Buyongjeong Pavilion. Its two pillars rest directly in the water, making it look like a lotus flower coming into bloom.
High above on the hill is Juhamnu Pavilion, which served as the royal library. Imagine the young scholars of the past, their robes catching the breeze as they climbed these slopes to study under the King’s watchful eye. The geometry here is intentional; the square pond represents the earth, while the round island represents the heavens, a cosmic balance held in a single view.
Let’s continue toward the Bullomun Gate. You’ll notice it is carved from a single, massive piece of stone. Its name translates to the "Gate of Eternal Youth."
Local legend promises that anyone who passes beneath this stone lintel will never grow old. Go ahead, walk through it. Just beyond, you’ll find Aeryeonji, the Pond of Loving Lotuses.
King Sukjong, who reigned in the late seventeenth century, was so moved by the lotus flower’s ability to remain pure while growing out of the mud that he named this area to honor the virtue of a clean heart. Deep in the valley, we find Yeongyeongdang. This complex is unique because it lacks the colorful "dancheong" paint seen on other palace buildings.
It was built to resemble a nobleman’s house, allowing the King and Queen to experience the simplicity of life outside the palace walls. Our journey ends at the Ongnyucheon Stream, the "Jade River." Here, a U-shaped channel is carved into a great flat rock called Soyoam.
This was the site of the royal drinking games. The King and his courtiers would float wine cups on the water, and whoever the cup reached had to recite a poem on the spot or finish the drink. It is a reminder that even in a world of rigid ceremony, there was always room for a bit of poetry and a glass of wine under the trees.
As you walk back, remember that you are walking the same paths the kings once did, seeking the same peace you feel right now. I’m Avsha, and the secrets of the Huwon are now yours to carry.