Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식) - Area information - Korea travel information

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

19.0Km    2025-07-11

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-737-6444

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians. The ceremony, which is held in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a highly recommended event for tourists. It is held three times a day, with each ceremony following the same procedure and lasts for forty minutes to an hour, and the ceremony is free of charge. There are no ceremonies on Mondays as well as on severely cold or hot days.

As the ceremony begins, the changing of the guards commences replete with traditional musical instruments, and exchanges a password for verification. An eight-minute guard ceremony ensues, followed by a seven-minute change ceremony, and finally a patrol that completes the ceremony. The procedure takes a dramatic turn when 18 guards in six official positions beat a drum and bellow some orders.

The Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a great opportunity to experience a rare traditional scene. The guards’ splendid costumes, with their brilliant primary colors, are a pleasure to view. Once the ceremony is over, visitors can take pictures with the gatekeepers.

Myeongdong Nanta Theatre (명동난타극장)

Myeongdong Nanta Theatre (명동난타극장)

19.0Km    2021-07-23

26, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Nanta, Korea's representative non-verbal performance, opened their fourth exclusive theater in Myeong-dong, the center of shopping. The 386-seat theater is located within the UNESCO Building. It is the largst of the Nanta theaters, and was the first to present foreign actors within the performances. There are 3 shows every day, all year round.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

19.0Km    2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.

Jeongdong Theater (국립 정동극장)

19.0Km    2024-06-19

43 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Jeongdong Theater is located along Deoksugung Stone Wall Path and serves as a cultural hub for local citizens. Opened in 1995, Jeongdong Theater is historically significant as it was established to restitute the legacy of Wongaksa, the first modern theater in Korea. Jeongdong Theater features numerous critically-acclaimed productions, such as “Traditional Art Performance,” “Masters Exhibition,” and “Art Frontier,” as well as programs like “Art Stage at Noon” that are geared toward the general public. As a result, Jeongdong Theater has become one of Korea's representative traditional arts performance theaters and was designated as a Seoul Future Heritage in 2015.

The theater successfully held the performance “Miso” in 2010, featuring the traditional musical "Love Songs from Chunhyang," written and created by Jeongdong Theater. The musical attracted many international visitors from all over the world, passing on Korean cultural values and beauty, as well as gaining the attention of critics worldwide. In addition, the theater also produced "The 2nd Story of Miso: Baebijang-jeon," offering a modern interpretation of the fundamental values found in Korea's culture and art.

Seopyeonje; The Original(서편제; The Original)

19.0Km    2025-12-04

서울특별시 중구 정동길 43 (정동)

Football Faentasium (풋볼 팬타지움)

Football Faentasium (풋볼 팬타지움)

19.0Km    2022-09-13

240, World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Football Faentasium is the first soccer-themed experience museum in Korea, founded by the Korea Football Association. The museum uses the lastest in IT for exciting displays, experiences, educational lessons, and more for a facility more like a theme park than a museum. The name comes from a mix of the words fan, fantasy, museum, and stadium.

YOU&I Clinic Myeongdong (유앤아이의원 명동점)

19.0Km    2025-11-24

#F301, 3rd Floor, Timewalk Myeong-dong Building, 78 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

YOU&I Clinic is a trusted dermatology and aesthetic clinic with extensive experience and expertise accumulated since 2006.
At YOU&I Clinic, we are committed to using authentic products, providing precise and honest treatments, and offering personalized services tailored to each individual’s needs.
We welcome clients not only from Korea but also from Japan, China, and Thailand, and offer Japanese and Chinese interpretation services. All foreign clients receive treatments at the same prices as Korean clients.
YOU&I Clinic specializes in lifting, petite procedures, and skin boosters, as well as a wide range of aesthetic skin treatments. We also provide thorough aftercare to ensure the highest level of satisfaction for every client.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

19.0Km    2025-01-10

24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Myeongdong Cathedral (서울 명동성당)

Myeongdong Cathedral (서울 명동성당)

19.1Km    2022-12-27

74, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeongdong Cathedral is the Church for Archdiocese of Seoul and was also the birthplace for the Roman Catholic Church community in Korea. The church houses the remains of several individuals: Bishop Laurent Joseph Marie Imbert (1796-1839), and priests Peter Simon (1803-1839), James (Jacques Honor Chastan, 1803-1839) and Pourthie Jean Antoine Charles (1830-1866) and four martyrs.

Myeongdong Cathedral is located in downtown Seoul and tourists frequently come and visit the place. Near the cathedral are other tourism spots such as Namsangol Hanok Village preserving Korean traditional houses, N Seoul Tower overlooking Seoul and Namdaemun Market, a traditional market with a wide variety of food and goods.

Anthropolis 1 : Prolog/Dionysos(안트로폴리스 1 : 프롤로그/디오니소스)

19.1Km    2025-12-04

서울특별시 중구 명동길 35 (명동1가)