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

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

995.3M    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.

SAINT JAMES SAMCHEONG[Korea Quality]/세인트 제임스 삼청[한국관광 품질인증]

1.0Km    2024-06-26

78 , Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-742-4628(extension number 207)

The Saint James Samcheong store opened in July 2016 in Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The store exemplifies the quiet yet bustling atmosphere of the Samcheong-dong district, and is well-known for its marine styling. It sells men’s, women's and children's wear, plus shoes, bags and fashion accessories. Featured brands include SAINT JAMES (France), BUDDY (Japan), VEJA (France), SOLUDOS (USA), and BRONTE (Netherlands).

Saint James - Samcheong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (세인트제임스 삼청)

1.0Km    2024-04-23

B2F, 124, Singomae-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

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DAHMSOJUNG[Korea Quality] / 담소정[한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

1.0Km    2025-01-06

16-2, Bukchon-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
010-3749-9550

Dahmsojung, meaning ‘a house full of laughs’, is a hanok guesthouse that provides sincere services and comfortable relaxation. Located in the middle of Seoul’s city center, this hanok hotel-class guesthouse was built using traditional hanok construction materials including the 200-years-old Korean land pine from Gyeongju, and clay for rooms. The owner originally bought the land to build the residential area for the family, but wishing to promote the charms of the hanok building to foreigners, it was opened as a guesthouse in October 2012. This hanok guesthouse with modern elements is decorated with refined interior items. It provides a special breakfast that consists of steamed rice wrapped in a lotus leaf and tasty side dishes without any artificial seasonings. All the vegetables used for the meals are organic and cultivated by the owner. It also uses refined objects including high quality tableware, bedding (cotton bedclothes with colored stripes), authentic ceramics, lacquered painting by an artisan, and artistic living items. It carries out a cleaning and disinfection process every day as well. In particular, Hinoki cypress with a subtle scent was used for the bathroom. The home bar was installed especially for foreign guests who find it difficult to sit on the floor in the kitchen. These detailed consideration and decorations have attracted many guests including foreign diplomats, VIPs, and so on. It also operates a hands-on programs including ‘calligraphy’ and ‘making a fan’ that are held on the main floored room and are popular among foreign guests. Dahmsojung offers guests sophisticated services and comfortable facilities with a clean and traditional atmosphere that attracts many domestic and foreign guests.

Rakkojae Seoul Bukchon Hanok Hotel (락고재 서울 북촌 한옥호텔)

1.0Km    2025-10-27

49-23 , Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-3410

Rakgojae Bukchon Hanok Hotel in Jongru-gu, Seoul, is a traditional hanok compound with a 130-year history, renovated by master carpenter Jeong Yeong-jin. The elegant gate and stone walls, the traditional roof tiles, the jangdokdae jar store, the pavilions and ponds - not to mention the beautiful pine trees - express the archetypal beauty of hanok. Sitting on the daecheongmaru (wooden patio) with a breeze in the trees, guests will feel taken back in time. Guestrooms are clean and comfortable, and visitors can relax in a wood-fired red-clay sauna and a jade-covered ondol room,. Traditional culture programs are available.

Slow Steady Club - Samcheong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (슬로우스테디클럽 삼청)

1.0Km    2024-06-27

2F, 84, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Tongin Market (통인시장)

1.0Km    2025-06-19

18 Jahamun-ro 15-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Tongin Market dates back to June 1941, as a public market set up for Japanese residents near the Hyoja-dong neighborhood when Korea was still under Japanese rule. After the Korean War, the nation experienced a swift rise in population, which led to a natural increase in consumption and demand. As a result the area’s street vendors and stores used the former Tongin Market area as their marketplace. Now, Tongin Market consists of 75 stores, most of which are restaurants and grocery stores. There are also some shops selling manufactured goods like underwear and shoes.

Kangbuk Samsung Hospital (강북삼성병원)

1.0Km    2025-10-23

29 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Established in 1968, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital has over 50 years of history and is taking a new leap forward with a vision for its centennial year.
Through partnerships with renowned institutions, such as Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States and the BBDC in Canada, the hospital delivers advanced medical services while leading the public health arena. It is also committed to systematic research and the development of ICT-integrated digital healthcare, which will be the foundation for future medicine. With an excellent infrastructure that includes clinics and specialized centers (e.g., the Diabetes Center, Breast and Thyroid Cancer Center, Digestive Cancer Center, Musculoskeletal Disease Center, and Prostate Center), Kangbuk Samsung Hospital provides top-quality medical services focused on providing patients with satisfactory treatments. 

Tteulan Teahouse (뜰안)

1.0Km    2024-12-10

Tteulan Teahouse is a cafe that really allows one to feel the tradition and flair of Korea. Tteulan has two entrances: one facing the wide alley and the other facing the smaller one. The smaller entrance is decorated like a garden, so it feels as if one is stepping into a land of fairy-tales. The café has a floor seating tables with traditional items like gadari soban (a table with legs that curve like a dog's legs), and jogakbo (a textile woven from several pieces of scrap cloth), all of which add to the traditional Korean aesthetic. The menu features ssanghwacha (medicinal herb tea known to help the immune system), a favorite among middle-aged and elderly Koreans; omija tea (omija is a tart berry that grows in East Asia known to be good for lung and bronchial health and boosts immunity); citrus tea (usually made with yuzu which is rich in vitamin C and said to help mitigate fatigue); and pour-over coffee. Traditional desserts include mugwort rice cake (rice cake with mugwort added for herbal flavor, best enjoyed with malt syrup), pumpkin rice cake, and roasted grain powder (a nutritious beverage made with a variety of powdered grain). It can be hard to find seating in the afternoon, so visitors are advised to avoid these hours if they seek to enjoy their drink in peace.

Coco Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (코코약국)

1.0Km    2024-04-22

1F, 56, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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