Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

8.2Km 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.

Jeonju Hoegwan (전주회관)

8.2Km 2019-08-31

32-1, Sejong-daero 14-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
82-2-778-6689

Well-known among both Koreans and foreigners, this restaurant has been specializing in traditional Korean dishes for more than 50 years. Its gopdol bibimbap is patented and also the most popular dish in the restaurant.

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall (트레블로지 명동 시티홀)

8.2Km 2021-06-25

22, Sejong-daero 16-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6362-6000

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall provides excellent and efficient customer services as well as convenient amenities for the comfort of all their guests. The hotel is only 3 minutes’ walk away from City Hall Station, and its location benefits both tourists and business travelers alike as it offers various transportation options with Seoul's popular tourist attractions in the vicinity, such as Deoksugung Palace and Namdaemun Market. The hotel features a sauna session and spa services to relieve stress and put one's body and mind at ease after a busy day of traveling.

Shinsegae Duty Free Shop - Myeong-dong Branch (신세계면세점 명동점)

8.2Km 2017-06-13

77, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Opened in May 2016, the Shinsegae Duty Free Store in Myeong-dong offers culture, tourism, and shopping on the 8-12 floors of the main branch of Shinsegae Department Store. The shops sell famous international brands as well as top Korean brands for a global shopping experience. The store is located nearby popular tourist attractions N Seoul Tower and Namdaemun Traditional Market, making it easy to enjoy tourism and shopping in one location.

Shinsegae Duty Free Shop - Myeong-dong Branch Handicraft Store (신세계면세점 명동점 수공예품 매장)

8.2Km 2016-10-11

77, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Korea Craft and Design Foundation Handicraft Store located within the giftshop of Shinsegae Duty Free Shop Myeong-dong Branch sells handcrafted everyday props and cultural crafts. Dedicated to the concept of "Artisans, and Artists," the store introduces young artists as well as famous handicraft masters along with their masterpieces of diverse genre in the world of Korean arts and craft.

Pureun Arboretum & Hang-dong Railroad (푸른수목원&항동철길)

8.2Km 2025-01-17

240 Yeondong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul

Pureun Arboretum is a botanical garden boasting well-established ecological parks and scenic walking trails. It encompasses diverse themed gardens, including the Wildflower Garden, Hydrangea Garden, Conifer Garden, Broadleaf Tree Garden, Bulbous Plant Garden, Wetland Garden, and Rose Garden, complemented by an Visitor Center. The Forest Learning School, functioning as a greenhouse, showcases plants from various corners of the globe and hosts educational programs. Visitors can avail themselves of facilities like the book café, a café, and a library. Additionally, the arboretum is intersected by the abandoned railroad tracks of Hang-dong.

Nammun Tobang (남문토방)

8.2Km 2019-05-07

73-5, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-6727

This restaurant offers customers loach soup in Gyeongsang-do style and fried loach. Smoked duck shabu shabu and vegetables, as well as Smoked duck casserole are also a good choice.

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

8.2Km 2025-01-17

55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul Museum of History covers everything about Seoul's history and culture from the prehistoric era to modern times, focusing especially on the Joseon era. The museum aims to raise cultural awareness and build a strong bond within the community by collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying artifacts and materials related to Seoul as well as promoting the city's history and culture to an international audience.

Taj Palace (타지펠리스)

8.2Km 2017-10-28

39, Usadan-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-790-5786, +82-2-777-5786

Named after the Taj Mahal, Taj Palace serves authentic Indian dishes prepared by an Indian chef. The restaurant owner hired the Indian chef in hopes of introducing real Indian food to Korean people. Some of the most popular dishes in the restaurant include tandoori (barbecue) dishes, Indian fried rice called "briyani," toasted bread, Indian beverages, and the “set meal."

Dubai (두바이레스토랑)

8.2Km 2017-07-18

192, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
82-2-798-9277

Dubai Restaurant in Itaewon offers authentic Arabian cuisine as well as shisha (water pipe smoking). Located in the middle of Itaewon, it’s popular among both Koreans and foreigners.

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