As one enters palaces in central Seoul, one whisks back 600 years, to the heyday of the Joseon Dynasty. Deoksugung Palace were once occupied by various Korean royalty until the Japanese took control toward the turn of the 20th century. Constructed in 1394, Gyeongbokgung served as the main palace of King Taejo. Literally meaning ‘The Palace of Prospering Virtue’, the verdant grounds of Changdeokgung Palace display glorious azaleas in the Spring. Stop by Jongmyo, a Confucian shrine and UNESCO world heritage site, where ceremonies in May and November honor Joseon kings and queens.