Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

589.7M 2024-11-28

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.

Gomguksijib (곰국시집)

591.3M 2016-10-21

24, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-756-3249~50

Gomguksi is a soup consisting of handmade noodles and beef slices in a thick and rich beef broth. Gomguksi became famous through word-of-mouth by tourists from the neighboring country of Japan. These days the restaurant is always crowded with people. Also, the side dishes that accompany Gomguksi are extremely delicious.

Olive Young - Mugyodong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 무교동점)

592.3M 2024-06-26

1F, 24, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Mijin (미진)

601.8M 2024-03-06

19 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-1954

Mijin is a Korean-style cold buckwheat noodle restaurant located near Gwanghwamun, specializing in Korean-style naeng memilguksu (cold buckwheat noodles). They offer a broth that is richer in flavor compared to Japanese soba bonito soy sauce, along with chewier buckwheat noodles. The restaurant produces the broth and noodles in-house and serves them directly to customers. The cold broth and buckwheat noodles condiments can be adjusted according to preference. Another popular menu is the memil jeonbyeong (buckwheat crepe) filled with bean sprouts, bean curd, aged kimchi, and ground pork.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

604.2M 2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

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 Culture Night (정동야행)

604.2M 2025-05-20

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (대한민국역사박물관)

613.6M 2022-12-27

198, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3703-9200

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History opened on December 26, 2012, and showcases Korea's modern history, from the opening of Incheon Port to current times. The museum provides an in-depth look at the changes in the nation through exhibitions and educational programs, as well as researching, developing, and collecting materials. The museum is comprised of four exhibition halls; Prelude to the Republic of Korea, Foundation of the Republic of Korea, Development of the Republic of Korea, and Modernization of South Korea, toward the World. In addition, the Korean History Dream Village features a hands-on program hall for children to learn modern and contemporary history. In addition to special exhibitions, the museum also offers educational and cultural programs for children.

Olive Young - Jongno 1(il)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 종로1가)

614.6M 2024-04-16

19, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Plaza (서울광장)

627.0M 2024-06-19

110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-5640

Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall is a historic site where the March 1, 1919 (Samil) Independence Movement and the pro-democracy movement in June 1987 were held. It is also a well-known place where tens of thousands of Korean soccer fans gathered together to watch the 2002 World Cup Games. Being located within the center of the city and surrounded by many historic attractions, including Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza has become a representative attraction of Seoul.

Chamsutgol (참숯골)

626.4M 2019-08-01

16, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-2100

Located in Mugyo-dong in Jung-gu, Seoul, Chamsutgol (참숯골) is an upscale restaurant serving hanu beef dishes. The restaurant uses only top quality hanu beef from young cattle (two years old or younger) raised on farms in Jeolla-do Province. For freshness and tenderness, the restaurant serves only fresh meat (not frozen) of A+ grade or higher. To bring out its juiciness and tenderness, the meat is grilled on a charcoal fire.

The elegant ambience and décor and the variety of rooms in different sizes make the restaurant a favorite choice for special events. It is also regularly visited by international tourists. Popular dishes are the sirloin steak and marinated ribs, doengjang soup, and yeongyang dolsotbap (rice served in a hot stone bowl).

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