The Secret Garden (Huwon, 후원)

The Secret Garden (Huwon, 후원)

Immovable Culture Heritage

The Secret Garden (Huwon, 후원), now famous for its stunning autumn scenery, is a royal garden inside Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul, South Korea. Built in the early 15th century during the Joseon Dynasty, it served as a hideaway for the royal family, featuring pavilions, lotus ponds, and even areas for reading and farming. Unlike typical royal gardens, which were often lavish and heavily ornamented, Huwon was designed to emphasize harmony with nature. Instead of reshaping the land, its structures were carefully built around the existing landscape—preserving hills, waterways, and ancient trees that still stand today. As part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, entry to the garden is strictly controlled, requiring reservations and limiting visitor numbers to prevent over-tourism. This aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities) by prioritizing preservation over mass tourism. However, digital interpretation remains limited beyond basic photos and descriptions. Virtual tours and AR experiences could offer visitors access to restricted areas without harming fragile ecosystems, further supporting SDG 15 (Life on Land) while making the site more accessible to global audiences.

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Site

1262

17/03/2025

03/25/2025 01:28:16 pm

cm x cm x cm

current,37.58227671838873,126.99320075378186;

The Secret Garden (Huwon, 후원)

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Building

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