A Gwanghwamun Office Worker's Winter Stroll: Encountering the Past and Nature in a Quiet City Center at Changgyeonggung Palace
Time Travel to the Joseon Era
I took a stroll through Changgyeonggung Palace during my lunch break. It was a special experience where I could encounter both the past and nature in the middle of the city. This stroll started at Donhwamun Gate of Changdeokgung Palace, passed through the Great Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung, and ended at Honghwamun Gate. I was able to feel both the serenity of winter and the charm of a warm greenhouse.
As soon as I entered Donhwamun Gate of Changdeokgung Palace, the calm atmosphere of the winter palace captivated my mind. While walking between the brightly painted pavilions under the clear sky, I felt like I had traveled back in time to the Joseon era. In particular, the rank stones lined up in front of Myeongjeongjeon Hall made me imagine the kings and officials of the past standing here with dignity. The cold air made the buildings look even more vivid, and the serene scenery of the palace made me feel relaxed for a while in the busy city center.
Chundangji Pond and the Winter Scenery
On the way to Changgyeonggung Palace, I saw Chundangji Pond, and since it was winter, the pond was frozen over. The shadows of the trees reflected on the ice were reminiscent of a traditional Oriental painting. I took a slow walk around Chundangji Pond, enjoying the shadows cast on the ice, and the serenity was truly impressive. The trees around the pond were bare with all their leaves fallen off, but they still showed off the charm unique to winter.
As I paused near Chundangji Pond and looked around at the scenery, I felt that the tranquil atmosphere of the quiet winter palace seeped deep into my heart. Despite the cold wind, I was able to feel a sense of warm leisure at this moment.
Encountering Spring at the Great Greenhouse of Changgyeonggung Palace
After walking a bit more past Chundangji Pond, I arrived at the Great Greenhouse, a highlight of Changgyeonggung Palace. The white glass building, conspicuous even from afar, reminded me of a classic European greenhouse. Built in 1909, this is said to be Korea’s first Western-style greenhouse. When I went inside, various plants like incense trees and camellia trees greeted me with warm air.
Seeing the lush green plants despite the winter made me forget the season for a while and feel like it was spring. Inside the greenhouse, small ponds and flower pots were arranged charmingly, and the sunlight coming through the glass created a more cozy atmosphere. It was a popular place for taking pictures, and many people were capturing beautiful moments with their cameras. I was also able to relax and heal myself by gazing at the plants and feeling the warm air for quite some time.
Finishing Up While Heading to Honghwamun Gate
The path from the Great Greenhouse toward Honghwamun Gate made me feel the winter atmosphere once again. The scenery with the pavilions and pine trees of Changgyeonggung Palace was serene yet magnificent. The combination of sunlight filtering through the pine trees and the cold air made it a truly special walking time.
I finished this stroll by passing through Honghwamun Gate, and it felt so grateful that I could spend such a relaxing and beautiful time in the middle of the city. I felt like both my body and mind were healed by walking in the cold air and then resting in the warm greenhouse.
In Conclusion...
Changgyeonggung Palace and its Great Greenhouse were charming places even in winter. The contrast between the calm and quiet palace scenery and the warm and vibrant greenhouse was impressive. Next time, I would like to visit again in the spring or autumn to experience another kind of charm. If you're looking for a place to take a short walk during your lunch break near Gwanghwamun, I highly recommend the Changgyeonggung Palace and Great Greenhouse course!
