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

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.6Km    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.

Korea Beauty Festival (코리아뷰티페스티벌)

Korea Beauty Festival (코리아뷰티페스티벌)

1.6Km    2024-05-23

35 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6000-4356

The Korea Beauty Festival is a full-on K-beauty festival geared towards international visitors, with participation of many tourism and beauty organizations. Visitors can enjoy K-beauty experiences and discounts ranging from hair and make-up to fashion and even medical and wellbeing themes.

Kuukuu Myeong-dong(쿠우쿠우 명동)

Kuukuu Myeong-dong(쿠우쿠우 명동)

1.6Km    2020-11-25

55 Myeongdong-gil Jung-gu Seoul
+82-2-753-1230

This is a place that sells a variety of sushi and salads. The best menu at this restaurant is sushi. This Japanese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Beauty Play Myeongdong (뷰티플레이 명동)

Beauty Play Myeongdong (뷰티플레이 명동)

1.6Km    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. 

Daepo Jjimdak - Daehangno Branch (대포찜닭 대학로)

Daepo Jjimdak - Daehangno Branch (대포찜닭 대학로)

1.6Km    2021-03-19

18, Daehak-ro, 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-6669

This is a Korean cuisine located in Daehak-ro, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is braised chicken. A restaurant that's popular among college students.

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

Euljiro Nogari Alley (을지로 노가리골목)

1.6Km    2024-10-29

129, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1330

The alley that connects from Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station, Exit 4 is full of people eating dried young pollack and drinking beers at tables along the street every night. Under the bright lamp lights, plastic tables filled with customers can be seen. The first Nogari pub, Eulji OB Bear, opened in November 1980 to form what is now the Euljiro Nogari Alley. Euljiro also has the largest Printing Alley in the nation, providing printing for almost all books and printed materials across the country. The shift workers would stop by the pub for dried young pollack and cold beer before heading home after work, leading to more restaurants opening nearby until the alley was formed. In the beginning dried young pollack was cooked over a briquet fire and served with red pepper paste, but now, the alley is full of pubs and restaurants serving various types of food, but nothing beats nogari and cold draft beer.  

Mibo Jewelry (미보 주얼리)

Mibo Jewelry (미보 주얼리)

1.6Km    2021-06-15

183, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2273-7622

Mibo Jewelry carries a wide selection of necklaces, rings and earrings made with gold, silver and precious gemstones like diamond, ruby, sapphire, pearl, etc. The most popular items include diamond rings, luxury watches, gold rings and necklaces. Moreover, at Mibo Jewelry, customers may custom order their personalized jewelry.

Olive Young - Myeong-dong Main Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동본점)

Olive Young - Myeong-dong Main Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동본점)

1.6Km    2024-04-23

53, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

-

Olive Young - Myeongdong Town Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동 타운)

1.6Km    2024-06-26

1F~2F, 53, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

-

Artbox - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (아트박스 대학로)

1.7Km    2024-04-22

22, Daemyeong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-