Step into the past at Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a beloved retreat of Joseon Dynasty royalty. Built in 1405, this palace blends harmoniously with nature, unlike anything I've seen before.

Hidden behind its gates lies the Secret Garden (Huwon) — 78 acres of serene pavilions, lotus ponds, and ancient trees once reserved for kings. A rare example of Korean landscaping that follows the natural topography, it’s a place where politics paused and poetry bloomed