he National Heritage Administration's Royal Palaces and Tombs Division recently announced on its website that the main gate of Changdeokgung Palace, Donhwamun, will undergo restoration work starting November 11, 2024.
During this restoration, entry and exit through Donhwamun, Changdeokgung’s main gate, will be restricted. To accommodate the necessary time for relocating equipment like broadcasting systems, the division has designated November 12 as a temporary closure day for Changdeokgung Palace.
Afterwards, visitors to Changdeokgung will be able to enter and exit via Geumhomun, located to the west of Donhwamun.
Donhwamun was originally constructed in May 1412, burned down during the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea), and was reconstructed in 1609, the first year of King Gwanghaegun's reign. It is the oldest remaining wooden structure among Korea's palace buildings and received an “E” rating, indicating the need for repairs, based on monitoring conducted from 2020 to 2022.
In response, the National Heritage Administration has been advancing the restoration efforts to ensure visitor safety and preserve this cultural asset. The restoration will involve dismantling and repairing structures above the upper layer of the pillars and below the eaves, with work expected to continue until 2026.
Additionally, to address any inconvenience caused by restricted access to Donhwamun, a temporary entrance will be set up. A Changdeokgung official noted, “Since Geumhomun is smaller than Donhwamun, we plan to use it for entry and will consider utilizing the adjacent emergency exit for departures.”
For Korean shopping and business agency services
Comments