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If the palace walls of Changdeokgung could talk, visitors would probably listen in on tales of court intrigue, plotting eunuchs, and feuding royalty. Instead, through a well-informed tour guide, you will be educated on the form and function of the now-empty palace buildings scattered across acres of land in the middle of bustling Seoul.

The buildings have remained largely intact over six centuries and served as a backdrop for the last chapters of the Joseon period (1392-1910). Korea’s last emperor Sunjong passed away on these grounds in 1926, and it’s commonly known that members of royal descendants lived in Nakseonjae, a cluster of unpainted palace buildings well into the late ‘80s. The entry gate to the grounds, Donhwamun, is a two-story structure dating back to the 15th century.

Meanwhile, the Eochago or the Royal Garage carries a precarious display of automobiles used to transport the royal family in the era of Henry Ford. Although your English-speaking guide will give details on major palace buildings, the Injeongjeon remains a focal point of tour interest. It’s the second largest wooden building in Korea and features Daehanjeguk-period chandeliers with golden silk fringes as well as four-meter long silk window curtains. The pristine Biwon preserves the finer aesthetics of the Korean garden. English tours take place daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:30 pm. Admission is 3,000 won for adults, 1,500 won for children.