Deoksugung Palace: Where Joseon Meets Modern Seoul – A Solo Traveler’s Timeless Escape"** 🏯🌆

#seoulspots ### **Why Deoksugung Stands Out** ✔ **Only palace with Western-style buildings** (thanks to King Gojong’s 1897 modernization) ✔ **Royal Guard Changing Ceremony** (3x daily) with cannon fire ✔ **Dusk illuminations** – Golden hour transforms the stone-wall road ✔ **Central location** – Nestled between City Hall and trendy cafes --- ### **Must-Do Solo Experiences** ### **1. Time-Jumping Architecture** - **Seokjojeon Hall**: Neoclassical throne room (free guided tours at 2PM) - **Jeonggwanheon Pavilion**: Korea’s first coffee house (now an art space) - **Hamnyeongjeon**: King Gojong’s bedroom with early electric lights ### **2. Hidden Photo Ops** - **Stone-Wall Road**: Legend says couples walking here break up (perfect for solo shots!) - **Reflection Pool**: Capture the Daehanmun Gate mirrored at sunrise - **Western Garden**: Cherry blossoms frame the modern buildings ### **3. Unique Encounters** - **Night Palace Tour** (Fri/Sat): Lantern-lit pathways (separate ticket) - **Stamp Trail**: Collect palace-themed stamps at 5 locations --- ### **Solo Traveler Hacks** 🎫 **Admission**: - ₩1,000 (Free with Hanbok rental or Integrated Palace Pass) - Last entry 1hr before closing 🚇 **Getting There**: - City Hall Station Exit 2 (direct palace gate access) - Arrive 15 mins before ceremonies for front-row views 📸 **Golden Hour**: - 4-5PM in summer for warm light on the Western buildings --- ### **Local Flavors Nearby** ☕ **Tosokchon**: Ginseng chicken soup (10-min walk) 🍸 **Fell & Cole**: Artisan ice cream in a hanok (try the makgeolli flavor) 📚 **Seoul Book Bunker**: Underground indie bookstore --- ### **Why Perfect for Solo Travelers?** ✅ Compact size – See everything in 1.5 hours ✅ English audio guides available ✅ Photogenic everywhere – No need for selfie sticks ✅ Easy combo with: - City Hall’s **Digital Media Canvas** - **Cheonggyecheon Stream** night walk **"Deoksugung whispers Korea’s turbulent modernization - where Western envoys once dined under these same golden beams that now frame your solo Seoul story."** --- ### **#deoksugung #seoulsolo #palacewanderer #hiddenhistory #seoulphotography #koreatravel**