Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

2.2Km 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.

Hangover(행오버)

2.2Km 2025-09-15

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 69 (동숭동)

From Nameless Promises(이름 없는 약속들로부터)

2.2Km 2025-09-16

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 69 (동숭동)

ILMIRI Gold Jjimdak Myeongdong (일미리금계찜닭 명동)

2.2Km 2024-03-11

40, Myeongdong 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-0220

Located in front of Exit 5 of euljiro 1(il)-ga station, ILMIRI Gold Jjimdak is a restaurant specializing in jjimdak (braised chicken). Their signature dish is the cheese jjimdak (braised chicken and cheese) set menu, which is topped with plenty of mozzarella cheese. The set comes with egg rice (or scorched rice) and glass noodles. The steamed chicken, which has a sweet and not spicy flavor, comes in two varieties, boneless or bone-in, and is served with side dishes such as clear radish water kimchi and kimchi cabbage.

Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center (명동관광정보센터)

2.2Km 2023-01-03

66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-0333

Myeong-dong Tourist Information Center provides information on traveling, shopping, attractions, and more in Seoul. Service is provided in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. The center also offers experience programs like using Hangeul stamps.

Myeong-dong (명동)

2.2Km 2024-05-17

66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-0333

Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. The two main streets meet in the center of the block with one beginning from Myeong-dong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line No. 4) and the other from Lotte Department Store at Euljiro. Many brand name shops and department stores line the streets and alleys. Common products for sale include clothes, shoes, and accessories. Unlike Namdaemun or Dongdaemun, many designer brands are sold in Myeong-dong. In addition, several major department stores have branches here, including Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore, Noon Square and M Plaza. The department stores carry many premium labels and other fashionable goods at reasonable prices.

Myeong-dong also has family restaurants, fast food, plus Korean, Western and Japanese dining options. Many restaurants in Myeong-dong specialize in dongaseu (pork cutlet) and kalguksu (noodle soup). Other businesses in the area include hair salons, banks and theaters.