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)

3.1Km    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.

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

3.1Km    2025-11-06

Eulji-ro 129, Jung-gu, Seoul

Going out of Exit 3 of Euljiro 3-ga Station on Seoul Metro Line 3 and turning to the alley, you will find many pubs selling Nogari/Dried Young Pollack (Korean people grill and dip it in red pepper paste to eat as a side dish with alcohol) and restaurants specializing in Golbaengi/Sea Snails (It is a kind of conch shell, and Korea people made it a seasoned dish and enjoy it with Somyeon/Thin Noodles or use it as a bar sack). People gather in small groups at every outdoor table and sit in every alley to enjoy beer and snacks on weekday evenings and weekends, so it isn't easy to find a seat.
Originally, this area was lined with various company buildings and shops selling tools. However, in 1980, the pub 'Eulji OB Bear' opened, and as similar pubs opened nearby, it naturally came to be called 'Euljiro Nogari Alley.' As the affordable prices of snacks and beer attracted nearby office workers and college students, it has become increasingly popular, leading to its current status.
Here, along with a cold draft beer, let's try the K-snacks only available in Korea, such as Nogari/Dried Young Pollack and Golbaengi/Sea Snails. In addition, snacks such as chicken and fried dishes are also available, so try various snacks.

Some Sevit (세빛섬)

3.1Km    2022-12-16

2085-14, Olympic-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-1566-3433

Some Sevit is a culture complex made up of three man-made floating islands near the southern end of Banpo Bridge. The islands were created with the theme of "flowers of the Hangang River" and represent the view, life, and the earth, as well as a flower in various stages of life. The largest island, 'Some Gavit' symbolizes the view and takes the form of a flower in full bloom. It is a multi-functional cultural facility that can be used as a venue for performances, international conferences, exhibitions, and more. The second island, 'Some Chavit' looks like a flower bud, an image of life. A range of cultural experiences and event zones including Beat Square, Youth Woods, and restaurants using 3D to bring themes to life are located here. The third and smallest island, 'Some Solvit' takes the form of a seed planted in the earth. This island has water sports facilities and an outdoor garden from which you may enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Hangang River. Around the floating islands are LED lights that create a fantastic night view under the theme of "a gleaming light in the mist."

Seoul Plaza (서울광장)

3.1Km    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.

Medical Avenue ((주)메디컬애비뉴)

3.1Km    2025-10-23

(#1433, Mapo T Town), 144 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Since its inception in 2014, Medical Avenue has been a leading medical agency, providing world-class healthcare services in Korea to patients from around the globe. Our deep understanding of patients' cultural backgrounds and the Korean medical system allows us to minimize language and cultural barriers through the support of professional interpreters and multicultural coordinators. This dedication has resulted in over 5,000 patients receiving stable treatment with a satisfaction rate that boasts over 98% returning patients. Medical Avenue is committed to ensuring that patients receive comfortable and trustworthy care, continually striving to deliver the best medical services available.

K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final (K-POP 커버댄스 페스티벌 월드 파이널)

K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final (K-POP 커버댄스 페스티벌 월드 파이널)

3.2Km    2025-10-23

110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2000-9324

The K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final brings together K-pop fans from around the world, offering them a chance to become the main stars on stage. Going beyond just dance, the festival provides a platform where K-pop fans worldwide can share their culture, build a global network, express their passion through dance, and connect the entire world through Korean culture and K-pop.

Golden Tour Korea DMC (골든투어코리아 디엠씨)

3.2Km    2025-10-23

(#1227), 173 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Since its establishment in 2013, Golden Tour Korea DMC has been offering high-quality, customized travel services worldwide, focusing on premium travel experiences and diverse Korean tour products. In addition, the company actively organizes incentive tours, corporate meetings, government forums, business trips, family vacations, educational programs, and foreign patient attraction activities in Europe. Golden Tour Korea DMC designs tour products tailored to meet customers’ needs, with expert tour operators providing consulting to enhance customer satisfaction. The company maintains strong collaborations with numerous international partners. With extensive experience and expertise in the travel industry, Golden Tour Korea DMC will do its best to create beautiful memories and make the next chapter of your life unforgettable.

Seoul Metropolitan Library (서울도서관)

3.2Km    2022-12-14

110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-0300

Seoul Library provides access to a wide range of documents and materials about Seoul Metropolitan City. Visitors will find diverse resources related to the city including history, culture, urban planning, transportation, environmental issues, administration, reports on outbound visitors, research documents, video clips, and e-data.

Redtable Inc (주식회사 레드테이블)

3.2Km    2025-10-23

10F, SIGNATURE TOWER(WEST),100,Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

We are a Google partner in Korea that provides services for searching, inquiries, consultations, bookings, and payments related to hospitals, wellness centers, and aesthetic services on Google. 

We focus on attracting global tourists from English-speaking countries, Japan, and other Asian regions.

Additionally, Redtable Inc is an official agency of Meituan-Dianping (the largest integrated platform in China), specializing in marketing and promotions for the Chinese market.

Jeong’s Family (정스패밀리)

3.2Km    2025-03-15

16 , Hyochangwon-ro 8-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-10-6332-2043

Jeong's Family is a foreigner-only guesthouse in Hanseong Han River Apartments in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The apartment building is in a quiet residential area and has a fine view over the Han River and the riverside Hangang Park - which is a great place for walking or cycling. The two rooms are furnished with laptop PCs. Guests will recieve a welcome drink when they check-in, and a simple breakfast and dinner are provided upon prior reservation. The guesthouse is close to the airport bus stop, and convenient for public transport to tourist hotspots such as Gangnam, Hongdae, and Myeong-dong. There’s a key deposit system in operation.