Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

1.2Km 2025-07-11

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.

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone (종로 청계 관광특구)

1.2Km 2021-12-30

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1861

Jongno Cheonggye Special Tourist Zone stretches from Seorin-dong to Changsin-dong between Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jong-ro. It includes Youth Street, Gwangjang Market, Sewoon Electronics Department Store, lighting stores, pharmacy & medical device stores, badge stores, Stamp Street, Stationery · Toy Market, Aquarium Street, Shoes Market, and other markets totalling to approximately 14,000 shops. Nearby attractions include modern high-story buildings as well as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Unhyeongung Palaces, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong, merging traditions, modernism, culture, and markets alike.

Thought to be at the heart of Seoul, Cheonggyecheon Stream is located in the dense cultural area of Seoul where various press networks, organizations, bookstores and other major corporations are situated. Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream is a famous activity for tourists. Also, the area is the venue for the Seoul Lantern Festival every winter. Keeping its traditional scene including narrow alleys, old-fashioned hanok buildings and various stores still fully intact, the tourist zone has enough fun places for sightseeing as well as tasty restaurants in every corner for a more enjoyable visit.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.2Km 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.

Harmony Mart Myeong-dong Station Branch (하모니마트 명동역점)

1.2Km 2024-12-23

58 , Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-2269

Harmony Mart Myeongdong Station Branch is a discount supermarket specializing in Korean products popular with foreign tourists. It’s on the 1st basement floor of the Shinil Building annex, just a minute's walk from Exit 8 of Myeongdong Subway Station, Jungu, Seoul. Shop here for kimchi, seaweed, ginseng products, tea, ramen, handicrafts, daily necessities and souvenirs. English, Chinese, and Japanese are spoken, and payments can be made in yen and yuan. With purchases of KRW 50,000 or more, there’s free delivery to accomodations within a 5km radius.

Myeong-dong Mart - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (명동마트 명동)

1.2Km 2024-04-18

B1F, 58, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Reberry Clinic Myeongdong (리베리의원 명동점)

1.2Km 2025-11-28

#201, 2nd Floor & #301, 3rd Floor, 58 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

1. A dedicated medical director is personally assigned to each client, ensuring responsible and individualized care.
2. We go beyond consultation — every session is a professional medical treatment.
3. With our LifeBiz AI-powered 3D analysis camera, we provide an objective and precise facial assessment.
4. Our treatments are guided by a scientific skin-type classification system for accurate and tailored results.
5. Through 3D facial analysis, pigmentation diagnosis, and skin-type classification, we design a fully customized treatment pathway.
6. At Libery Clinic Aesthetic, we offer not only advanced medical procedures, but also warm décolleté and therapeutic massage care for a holistic experience.

La:ppland [Tax Refund Shop] (라플란드)

1.2Km 2024-04-16

Bldg. Ga. 1F, 83, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Etude house myeongdong chungmuro / 에뛰드하우스(명동충무로점)

1.2Km 2025-08-11

24-1, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-1704

Etude House is a cosmetics brand that sells makeup, hair, and fragrance products. The Etude House Myeongdong Chungmuro Branch, located in the heart of a major shopping district, carries a wide selection of cosmetics that customers may test before purchasing. Moreover, the brightly lit store interior, designed with a princess bedroom decor, adds fun to the experience.

It is visited largely by foreign customers from Japan, Thailand, China and other East Asian countries. To facilitate an easy shopping experience, the shop always has foreign staff available to assist. The most popular items include creams made using snail extract, lipsticks and eye shadows. Etude House also has many sales on facial mask packs, and tax refunds are available.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

1.2Km 2025-01-10

24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Innisfree - Myeong-dong Chungmu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 명동충무)

1.2Km 2024-04-16

28-1, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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