Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

629.6M 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.

Busan Sikdang (부산식당)

629.5M 2021-03-24

12, Insadong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-5761

Busan Sikdang has been operated in one location since 1976. They offer clean and plain soup and properly-cooked rice prepared upon the customers' arrival.

Beauty Play Myeongdong (뷰티플레이 명동)

629.7M 2024-12-27

73 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Beauty Play is a K-beauty experience center operated by the Korea Cosmetics Industry Institute and supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It offers a wide variety of sample Korean beauty products for testing as well as diverse beauty experience programs such as makeup touch-up service (choice of base, eyes, or lips), personal color test, and skin evaluation. Visitors can also ask for product recommendation based on their skin type or skincare concerns. Beauty Play also frequently hosts beauty seminars and one-day classes, which are announced online via its official website. International tourists can apply for a full makeup service with an advance reservation free of charge.

Beauty Play has two branches in Seoul: one in Myeong-dong, which is located across from Myeongdong Cathedral; and one in Hongdae. Beauty Play experience programs are avilabe from 10:00 to 18:00 everyday except Sundays.

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

634.3M 2025-03-16

29 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-2235

As of today, there are approximately 70 shops in the Insa-dong area that sell antique arts. Some of the products they sell include antique artworks, porcelains, woodcrafts, and metalwork. Visitors may even find rare and valuable products such as earthenware from the Silla period or white porcelain used in the Joseon dynasty. Each shop is a specialty store, authorized to sell product types that are of their expertise, ranging from antique furniture and traditional artworks to handcrafted items.

Kumkang - Myeongdong Main Branch (금강제화 명동본점)

634.2M 2022-12-29

7, Myeongdong 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-9411

Kumkang is a representative shoe brand of Korea (sneakers, casual shoes, etc.) that has been gradually expanding its product line to include accessories and clothing. Kumkang's main branch is located in Myeong-dong, frequented by international visitors. The brand offers plus-sized shoes and warranty service at the customer service center. Some of the bestsellers at the branch are Regal products, a sub-brand of Kumkang.

Busan Sikdang(부산식당)

636.1M 2021-04-09

12 Insadong 11-gil Jongno-gu Seoul
+82-2-733-5761

It is a house where you can eat hot and spicy Daegutang (Codfish Soup). This restaurant's signature menu is codfish stew. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Myeongdonggil Sinsin (명동길신신)

638.6M 2021-03-18

64, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-772-9489

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. Bulgogi with green onion is another famous offering. The representative menu is spicy braised beef short ribs.

Jejuga (제주가)

638.6M 2021-08-04

64, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-5959

You can enjoy a large amount of delicious grilled Korean beef. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled Korean beef rib eye steak.

Zen - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ZEN 명동)

638.6M 2024-04-16

5-8F, 62, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Gongyesa [Tax Refund Shop] (서울공예사)

638.5M 2024-04-16

1F, 27-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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