Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

4.8Km 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.

Ogeunnae Dakgalbi (오근내닭갈비)

4.8Km 2017-02-01

15, Ichon-ro 29-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-0131

Ogeunnae, the old name for Chuncheon, features Chuncheon-style dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) using only fresh leg meat of chickens which give a soft and elastic texture.

Chebudong Janchijip Dwaejigalbi (체부동잔치집돼지갈비)

4.8Km 2024-03-18

24 Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-3555

Chebudong Janchijip Dwaejigalbi is a restaurant where marinated pork galbi are grilled over charcoal fire. It offers various side dishes along with rich soybean paste jjigae. Enjoying cold buckwheat noodles with the tender marinated pork galbi, which are well-aged, is also recommended. Additionally, there are individual menu items such as dubu jeongol (bean curd hot pot), hoe naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles with raw fish), bibimbap, and gamjajeon (potato pancake).

Choeun Optical - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (조은안경 회현)

4.8Km 2024-04-22

Joeun Eyewear, 42, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Choeun Optical [Tax Refund Shop] (조은안경)

4.8Km 2024-06-27

42, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Hanok Stay (JNP Stay) (서울한옥스테이(jnpstay))

4.9Km 2024-10-30

7-28 , Jahamun-ro 1na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5720-6800

Seoul Hanok Stay (JNP Stay) is a private hanok stay located 3 minutes' walking distance from Gyeongbokgung Station. You can play traditional Korean games such as jejichagi (hacky sack), yut nori (board game), and tuho (arrow-throwing) in the yard, and cooking barbecue adds to the charm of the hanok. From the yard, you can enjoy the sky view, feel the gentle breeze, and observe raindrops falling from the eaves.