Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

767.7M 2023-02-22

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.

Baekbeom Kim Koo Statue (Baekbeom Plaza) (백범김구선생상(백범 광장))

767.2M 2024-10-22

Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Baekbeom Kim Koo Statue is located in Baekbeom Plaza in Namsan Park, Seoul. Erected in August 1969, the statue stands at a x_height of 10 meters. It commemorates the patriotic spirit of Kim Koo, who was both an independence activist and a politician in South Korea. During the Japanese colonial period, he actively participated in anti-Japanese movements, and after liberation, he played a leading role in the establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

777.0M 2022-08-11

15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. The observatory has a cafe inside where visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace from above. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong.

Bugeogukjip (북어국집)

787.7M 2022-02-18

38, Eulji-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-3891

Bugeogukjip (formerly “Teojutgol”) is a restaurant behind City Hall in Seoul that has been serving up authentic dried Pollack soup since 1968. Despite a name change, the restaurant has proudly stood in this same location for decades, earning a strong reputation for its dried Pollack soup made using traditional cooking methods.

Since the restaurant only serves one thing—dried Pollack soup—there are few preparations to be made and the meal arrives on your table in minutes. Customers are free to serve themselves basic side dishes such as kimchi and can have as many servings of rice as they’d like, allowing diners to enjoy a hearty meal at a low price. While the restaurant’s design and menu may be simple, Bugeogukjip takes pride in its long history and the careful efforts that have earned it a reputation as one of the most notable restaurants in Seoul.

Jjukkumiwa Maeungalbijjim(쭈꾸미와매운갈비찜)

787.4M 2021-04-15

25-1, Mareunnae-ro, 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2266-3208

The favorite store of office workers. The representative menu is braised short rib set menu. This Korean cuisine is located near Chungmuro Station, Seoul.

CheongKwanJang - Euljiro Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 을지로)

788.9M 2024-04-18

1F, 103, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Jinju Hoegwan (진주회관)

789.8M 2024-06-19

26 Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5388

Jinju Hoegwan is a renowned kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup) eatery near City Hall Station. Kongguksu is a traditional Korean summer dish made by boiling and grinding soybeans into a creamy broth, served with noodles, offering a refreshing and nutty flavor. Kongguksu is available from March to November. Their staff-recommended menu includes kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice), freshly roasted by the staff, along with kimchi jjigae and samgyeopsal (pork belly).

Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi (충무로 쭈꾸미 불고기)

789.4M 2024-03-11

11, Toegye-ro 31-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2279-0803

Opened in 1976, Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi is Michelin-starred restaurant. Their signature dish is jjukkumi (webfoot octopus), which is marinated in hot seasoning using traditional know-how. Grilled over charcoal with pen shells, it offers a perfect dish. The spicy and sweet jjukkumi goes well with the bean sprout soup. When you're done eating, fry up some rice and enjoy a delicious meal.

Libuk Sonmandu (리북손만두)

790.8M 2019-08-28

17-13, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-7361

Libuk Sonmandu restaurant is located deep in the alleys behind Seoul City Hall in the Mugyo-dong area. It is famous for kimchimari bap and sonmandu (handmade dumplings). Kimchimaribap is rice in a soup of kimchi and ice cubes with various added flavorings that originated in North Korea. This is a refreshing dish for summer. Other items on the menu are bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mandu jeongol (dumpling hot pot).

Dongbangmyeongju Chungmuro Main Store (동방명주 충무로점)

806.7M 2024-02-28

186 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Dongbangmyeongju is a Chinese cuisine restaurant located near Namsangol Hanok Village. The flagship dish is jjajangmyeon (black bean sauce noodles), and they offer a variety of other menu items such as tangsuyuk (deep-fried pork with sweet and sour sauce) and sacheontangmyeon (Chinese Sichuan noodle soup). The surrounding area boasts various attractions and culinary delights, including Myeongdong and Namsan Tower, providing a panoramic view of Seoul.

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