Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

16.8Km 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.

Internet Eyewear [Tax Refund Shop] (인터넷안경)

16.8Km 2024-06-27

72, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Converse - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (컨버스 명동점)

16.8Km 2024-06-27

16-1, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Charles & Keith - NOON SQUARE Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (찰스앤키스 눈스퀘어)

16.8Km 2024-04-18

2F, 14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Myeong-dong Myeong Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (명동명약국)

16.8Km 2024-04-19

#102, 11, Namdaemun-ro 7-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Myeongdong Beer Festival (명동맥주페스티벌)

16.8Km 2025-05-20

14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-70-8670-2182

Myeongdong Beer Festival provide a chance to find one's preference through beer. Enjoy the cool fall weather with fun people all around.

Dongbangmyeongju Chungmuro Main Store (동방명주 충무로점)

16.8Km 2024-02-28

186 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Dongbangmyeongju is a Chinese cuisine restaurant located near Namsangol Hanok Village. The flagship dish is jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles), and they offer a variety of other menu items such as tangsuyuk (deep-fried pork with sweet and sour sauce) and sacheontangmyeon (Chinese Sichuan noodle soup). The surrounding area boasts various attractions and culinary delights, including Myeongdong and Namsan Tower, providing a panoramic view of Seoul.

Åland - NOON SQUARE Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (에어랜드눈스퀘어점)

16.8Km 2024-06-27

14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Korea House (한국의집)

16.8Km 2025-10-23

10, Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Korea House was opened in 1981. It is a traditional Korean building that introduces the culture and lifestyle of Koreans, where you can experience traditional architecture and a classical atmosphere. The building was built in the style of the Joseon Dynasty's Jagyeong-jeon building at the Gyeongbok Palace. It is the only building built in the traditional architectural style. You will feel its antiquity as you enter the building.

It is divided into the Haerin-gwan (a space for people to get acquainted with each other), the Traditional Theater, and three annex buildings (Munhyang-ru, Nokeum-jeong and Cheongwu-jeong). At Haerin-gwan, you can enjoy traditional music at Garak-dang and try traditional food at Sohwa-dang. In the square of Garak-dang you can view a traditional wedding (on the weekends) or people playing folk games. Also, at the Traditional Theater, about 156 seats are available, and in the afternoons Human Cultural Assets or members of the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the National Corps members present traditional music and dances. Sinayui, Salpuri, Pansori, the Drum Dance and the Bongsan Mask Dance are the most popular programs for foreigners. The programs are all explained in English and Japanese.

In the Cultural Gift Shop you can view various crafts made by traditional craftsmen. It is always open and the crafts are for sale as well. There are pottery, ceramics, golden crafts, knots and embroidery etc; approximately 500 pieces of artwork made by craftsmen from 20 different fields. Next to the House of Korea is the Namsan-gol Hanok Village where visitors can explore traditional houses.

Korea House (한국의집)

16.8Km 2024-03-05

10 Toegye-ro 36-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-9101

Located in the center of Seoul, Korea House is a must-visit tourism spot as a high-end cultural complex offering Hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hote), traditional refreshments, traditional performance arts, and traditional weddings, allowing visitors to feel the beauty of Korean culture and the taste of Korea. Guests can also enjoy the elegant beauty of hanok.

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