Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

12.3Km 2023-02-22

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.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

12.3Km 2022-08-11

15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. The observatory has a cafe inside where visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace from above. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong.

Gajeong Sikdang (가정식당)

12.3Km 2021-03-25

118, Yeongdeungpo-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2636-6697

It is a place where you can enjoy various Korean side dishes at once. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is homemade-style set menu.

The Place Seoul (traditional Korean-style guesthouse) [Korea Quality] / 복합한옥공간 곳 [한국관광 품질인증]

12.4Km 2024-08-14

52-11 , Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-3255-1289

The Place Seoul in Gye-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, is a meeting place of traditional and modern Korea. It has a yard with a beautiful 80 year-old dogwood tree, and a small garden in which guests can enjoy the passage of the seasons. The Place Seoul is an environment-friendly place which uses eco-friendly consumables such as toilet paper and shampoo. Breakfast is simple and healthy. There are many good cafes in nearby Bukchon, and local tourist attractions include the National Palace Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Sarangchae (사랑채)

12.4Km 2016-12-30

6, Insadong 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-1155

Sarangchae is located in Insa-dong, one of the most famous neighborhoods visited by tourists. Majority of the restaurant's customers are foreigners, and they offer reasonably priced Korean dishes that are highly popular among foreign visitors.

Samwon Ilsik (삼원일식)

12.4Km 2021-03-19

32, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-3680

This is a Japanese cuisine located in Cheonggyecheon Stream, Seoul. This restaurant is one of Mugyo-dong's best kept secrets. The best menu at this restaurant is codfish stew.

LoL Park (롤파크)

12.4Km 2024-10-28

33 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Lol Park is the venue where the largest-scale League of Legends competition in South Korea, LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea), is held. It serves as a space for various esports events and activities, featuring spectator seating, LCK Arena (lounge), Riot Store (merchandise shop), PC rooms, and café.

Suha-dong Gran Seoul (수하동 그랑서울)

12.4Km 2021-03-29

33, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2158-7958

A gomtang (beef-bone soup) specialty store that uses only Korean beef. The best menu at this restaurant is beef bone soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

12.4Km 2024-04-25

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.

Hangang Moonlight Night Market (한강달빛야시장)

12.4Km 2024-01-05

330 Yeouidong-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

The Hangang Moonlight Night Market is a Seoul-style night market where visitors can find food trucks offering a variety of foods, high-quality handicrafts, and even rich performances. Visitors can enjoy various performances and entertainment with the romantic night view of the Hangang River. It is held twice in the spring and summer and is open every weekend during the event period. The spring event is be held in conjunction with the “Car-Free Jamsugyo Bridge Ttubeokttubeok Festival” at Banpo Hangang Park between May and June, and the fall event is held at Yeouido Hangang Park between September and October. When the night market opens, parking is limited, so it is recommended to use public transportation as much as possible.

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