During the Joseon dynasty , the Five Grand Palaces were built in Seoul , serving as the royal residences of Korea’s kings. Changdeokgung (창덕궁) is among the best-preserved of all Korean palaces and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was established in 1405. During the Imjin War , all the palaces in Seoul, including Changdeokgung, were destroyed. It was rebuilt afterward and served as the main royal palace for several centuries. Changgyeonggung (창경궁) was built in the mid-15th century by King Sejong for his father, King Taejong . Like the other palaces, it was destroyed during the Imjin War and later rebuilt. In the early 20th century, during the Japanese colonial period in Korea , much of the palace was dismantled to make way for a modern park intended to showcase Japanese authority. The site was later used for a zoo, botanical garden, and museum. The zoo and botanical garden were relocated to Seoul Grand Park in 1983, and the palace has since been restored and is now ...