Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

4.3Km 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.

Whixcom [Tax Refund Shop] (휙스컴)

4.3Km 2024-04-18

20-1, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Sajik Park (사직공원(서울))

4.3Km 2021-11-12

89, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-4149

Sajik Park is one of the three most popular parks in Jongno-gu along with Tapgol Park and Samcheong Park. Located west of the Government Complex-Seoul on the southeastern foothills of Inwangsan Mountain, the park measures an impressive 188,710 m².

The name of the park dates back to 1395 when Taejo Yi Sung-gye made Sajik Altar (altar to the State deities) at the center of the park. "Sa" refers to the deity of the earth while "jik" refers to the deity of the five grains. Rites wishing for a good harvest were held regularly at Sajik Altar.

In the park are several playgrounds, statues of Sin Saimdang, Hwanghakjeong, and Yulkog Yi I, and the Municipal Children's Library. Dangun Shrine and Jongno Library are situated nearby. By following the path next to Sajik Park for approximately 5 minutes, travelers can reach the Inwangsan hiking path with relative ease.

Nanji Hangang Park (난지한강공원)

4.3Km 2025-01-07

162 Hangangnanji-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Nanji Hangang Park, situated north of the Hangang River near World Cup Park, provides a riverside space for leisure and recreation. The park offers Campgrounds, Water Leisure Sports Facilities, Bike Lane, Waterside Plaza, Mirror Fountain, Riverside Pool, a convenience store, and an information center. The Mirror Fountain emits a rainbow-like light with each water spray. The campgrounds are popular for their proximity to the city and affordable fees. Visitors can enjoy activities such as motorboating, water skiing, and wakeboarding on the Hangang River.

Samseong Bbalgan Yangnyeom Sutbulgui (삼성 빨간양념 숯불구이)

4.3Km 2020-06-16

37, Namdaemun-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-6449

Samseong Bbalgan Yangnyeomg has been famous for its charcoal-grilled dishes since 1972, and is especially well known for its spicy seasoning made from powdered red pepper, garlic, and ginger. Pork is mixed with the seasoning, giving it the characteristic red color and unique flavor, and then grilled over hot coals. This is the perfect restaurant for spicy food-lovers or those looking for a challenge.
Other dishes include jumulleok (marinated pork) and donggeurangttaeng (batter-fried meatballs). Jumulleok is made by seasoning fresh meat, whereas donggeurangttaeng is made by cutting the frozen meat into small pieces, and then marinating it. Older adults usually prefer jumulleok, while the young prefer donggeurangttaeng.

Nanji Hangang Park MTB Course Site (난지한강공원 MTB코스장)

4.3Km 2022-10-26

162, Hangangnanji-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3780-0611

Situated in Nanji Hangang Park, the MTB Course Site is perfect for MTB lovers as well as beginners who wish to enter the world of extreme biking with safety. The MTB Course Site is the nation's first MTB course site, established on a flatland, reproducing perfectly realistic mountain ridges and slopes.

Burdeng Children's Clothing Shopping Center (부르뎅 아동복)

4.3Km 2021-04-09

14, Namdaemunsijang 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5737

Burdeng Children's Clothing Shopping Center offers diverse clothing items and accessories for adults and children in particular. It is one of the largest distributors of children's clothing in Korea. High quality children's clothing is available at inexpensive prices for both retail and wholesale purchases.

Kumho Art Hall (금호아트홀)

4.3Km 2021-05-28

76, Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6303-1977

Kumho Art Hall was built in 2000 exclusively for classical music concerts, with 390 seats, the perfect structure for chamber concerts. All seats are recital hall chairs and the wide spacing between rows of chairs helps the audience to have a pleasant time. Upon entering the theater, all cell phones will turn off automatically. This helps all visitors to enjoy the concert without being interrupted by ringing cell phones. The interior is cozy and luxurious, and the stage is made of maple.

Times Square (타임스퀘어)

4.4Km 2020-05-07

15, Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2638-2000

Times Square is a large, comprehensive lifestyle complex equipped with various leisure, entertainment, accommodation, and dining establishments. The complex houses Shinsegae Department Store, which features a number of luxury brands and high-end local products, CGV Starium, which houses 12 movie theaters, including the world's largest screen, a multi-purpose performance center, Kyobo Book Center, E-Mart Discount Supermarket, Courtyard by Marriott, which features 273 rooms, Kolon Sporex Luxury Fitness Center, Amoris Banquet and Convention Center, I Like Dalgi Children's Theme Park, various dining establishments, and many more. In addition, several large outdoor spaces, which collectively span over near 14,850 ㎡, provide perfect spots for relaxation and enjoying the nature inside the metropolitan complex.

Bean Pole - Time Squre Branch (빈폴 (타임스퀘어점))

4.4Km 2020-04-23

15, Yeongjung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2638-2025

Diverse and dramatic show windows and displays will give a special shopping experience. The store offers Bean Pole Men, Bean Pole Ladies, Bean Pole Accessory, and other basic items at reasonable prices as well as hot trend items every month.

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