Changdeokgung·Jongmyo
Changdeokgung is a Joseon royal villa east of Gyeongbokgung; Jongmyo is the shrine housing the spirit tablets of kings and queens. Both are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visitors come for palace tours, rear-garden walks, and Jongmyo rites.
Changdeokgung was built in 1405 and is famous for its rear garden (Biwon) following the natural terrain. Jongmyo was built when King Taejo moved the capital to Hanyang in 1394; Jongmyo Jerye and Jeryeak are designated as national intangible heritage.
Tourists combine palace and shrine in one route; others come for Biwon and the stone-wall paths. Rite viewers add to the flow. Real-time population is high on weekends, in spring and autumn, and during major Jongmyo ceremonies.
Subway Line 3 Anguk (Exit 3), Lines 1·5 Jongno 3-ga. Walk to Changdeokgung and Jongmyo main gates. Jongmyo also reachable from Jongno 3-ga and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Lines 2·4·5).