Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식) - Area information - Korea travel information

Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

2.2Km    2024-10-29

161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3210-1645

In the Joseon dynasty, the royal guards of the palace were gatekeepers who were responsible for guarding the the main gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the main gates of the city such as Heunginjimun Gate and Sungnyemun Gate. The royal guards worked in shift duties and were in charge of opening and closing Gwanghwamun Gate. Before the royal guard system was enforced in 1469, the palace gates were protected by soldiers of the central army. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Gwanghwamun area reenacts the guard-changing procedure that took place during the Joseon dynasty, along with the reproduction of costumes and weapons, based on historical records.

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

Jongmyodaeje (Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite of Joseon) (종묘대제)

2.2Km    2022-10-05

157, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4806, +82-2-6011-1067

Jongmyodaeje, Korea’s Royal Ancestral Memorial Rite, is a traditional ritual that has been recognized with many important designations. It is a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 56 (Jongmyo Jerye), and Korea’s Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1 (Jongmyo Jeryeak). The ritual is held yearly on the first Sunday of May. It begins with eogahaengnyeol, the fabulous royal parade dating from the Joseon dynasy, which is truly a sight to behold as it moves through the modern city.

Jongmyodaeje originated as a royal ancestral ritual to honor the past kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty. During the Joseon era, the ritual was held five times a year (spring, summer, autumn, winter, and December) until it was abolished by Japanese colonial rule. In 1969, Jongmyodaeje was reinstated and has been held in May every year since.

Jongmyo Shrine, the destination of the procession, was the setting of ceremonial rituals during the Joseon dynasty. Originally, Jongmyo only referred to Jeongjeon (Main Hall) where the memorial tablets of Joseon’s reigning kings and queens are enshrined. Today, however, Jongmyo also encompasses Yeongnyeongjeon (Hall of Eternal Peace) where the tablets of posthumous kings and queens are enshrined and Gongsindang (Hall of Meritorious Subjects) where the tablets of esteemed ministers of the state are kept.

HILLS & EUROPA (힐즈앤유로파)

HILLS & EUROPA (힐즈앤유로파)

2.2Km    2024-10-29

35 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Haebangchon's Hot Place
Singer Lee Hyori's OTT entertainment program 'Seoul Check-in' was filmed, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of Haebangchon properly. The low wooden ceiling and walls filled with unique objects and LPs from all over the world create a unique and cozy atmosphere. It is always full of customers as you can enjoy great visual cocktails and delicious dishes against the backdrop of various genres of music. During the day, it is good to enjoy coffee and dessert like a cafe. It is famous for its delicious cream caramel pudding, along with coffee that makes use of the taste of coffee beans from each region of origin. There are also various types of signature cocktails, but we recommend the unique visual 'Cigar in a Glass' that Lee Hyori and Park Narae drank.

After Work 33 (에프터워크33)

After Work 33 (에프터워크33)

2.2Km    2021-03-19

21, Yulgok-ro 10-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4403-0033

Well-known for its charming garden and stylish interior design. The best menu at this restaurant is risotto. This is a Western cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion (황학정)

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion (황학정)

2.3Km    2020-04-02

15-32, Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-5785

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was built in 1898 by decree of King Gojong’s. It was originally set up close to the northern wall of Hoesangjeon in Gyeonghuigung Palace for archery practice. In 1922 when the Japanese colonial government sold buildings of Gyeonghuigung Palace to the public to build Gyeongseong Middle School in the location, the Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was bought and restored at the current location, which is an old site of Deunggwajeong Pavilion located to the North of Sajik Park.

It is relatively large for a pavilion, but the structure is plain and simple. There is a well behind the pavilion to the southwest. A rock behind the well has an engraved poem about eight beautiful scenes of Hwanghakjeong. Located to the right of the pavilion building (northeast of the building) is Hancheongak Pavilion, which has unique roof. To the west of the pavilion is Sauhoegwan Hall that was built with reinforced concrete.

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu (황생가칼국수)

2.3Km    2024-03-18

78 Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-6334

Hwangsaengga Kalguksu is a specialty restaurant located near Gyeongbokgung Palace, known for its kalguksu (noodle soup). Kalguksu is a type of noodle soup made by thinly slicing dough into noodles with a knife and boiling them in a broth made from beef bones, clams, or seafood. Their menu includes options like wang mandu (jumbo mandu), hanu suyuk (boiled Korean beef slices), kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup), beoseot jeongol (mushroom hot pot), and mandutguk (mandu soup). It was selected as a Michelin Guide Seoul 2023 restaurant.

Jalppajin Memil Seochon Main Store (잘빠진메밀 서촌)

2.3Km    2024-03-18

4 Jahamun-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4142-1214

Jalppajin Memil is a traditional Korean restaurant in Seochon where you can enjoy buckwheat noodles, boiled pork slices, and unrefined rice wine. They use 100% buckwheat for their noodles, which are kneaded using a cold water machine and served either mixed with seasoning and sprouts or dipped in broth. Pairing "Jalppajin sulsang" with unrefined rice wine is recommended for a delightful dining experience.

The King's (더 킹스)

2.3Km    2020-04-24

287, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2270-3121

The King’s is a premium buffet offering live music and top-quality, fresh dishes. Serving up “à la minute” cuisine in which food is cooked fresh to order, the restaurant is particularly known for its live seafood. In addition to the live seafood corner, The King’s buffet boasts 150 international foods in 10 different sections, including a Chinese food corner with dim sum, grilled Peking duck, stir-fry, and other authentic Chinese dishes prepared by Chinese chefs.

Jeongdok Library (서울특별시교육청 정독도서관)

Jeongdok Library (서울특별시교육청 정독도서관)

2.3Km    2021-05-08

48, Bukchon-ro 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-5799

Jeongdok Library opened in January 1977 on the former site of the Gyeonggi High School in Bukchon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. As a public city library, it boasts little under half a million books and 16,300 reference materials. The Seoul Education Museum in the library houses a collection of 12,000 reference materials.

In addition to basic library functions (lending books and offering archives and reading rooms to the public), the library runs various cultural programs such as monthly lectures by invited authors, photo exhibitions, reading seminars, and music/dance performances.

Gwangjang Market Hanbok Shops (광장시장 한복매장)

Gwangjang Market Hanbok Shops (광장시장 한복매장)

2.3Km    2019-09-16

88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2267-0291

Unlike many other traditional markets, Kwangjang Market has preserved its rich history and maintained the feel of a traditional market, shying away from modernization. Operated by kind-hearted merchants that embody the warmth of the Korean people, the market is a great place to eat delicious food and purchase various items at inexpensive prices.

Hanbok shops in Kwangjang Market focus on traditional hanbok rather than modernized hanbok, which are said to be more practical than their traditional counterpart. Beautiful hanbok are available at 30% off their average asking price.