Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.9Km 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.

Nampo Myeonok (남포면옥)

1.9Km 2024-03-07

24, Eulji-ro 3-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-3131

Located near Seoul City Hall and Cheonggyecheon Stream, Nampo Myeonok is a traditional Korean restaurant. Opened in 1968, it has been recognized by the Michelin Guide several times. Their specialty is pyeongyang naengmyeon (pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles). The restaurant also serves a variety of other dishes that are the most commonly found in Korea, including galbi tang (galbi soup), bulgogi, mandu soup, and yukgaejang (spicy beef soup).

Korea Samgyetang (고려삼계탕)

1.9Km 2024-06-19

1 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-9376

Located near City Hall Station, Korea Samgyetang specializes in samgyetang. Samgyetang is a traditional healthy dish made by simmering cleaned young chicken in a broth with ginseng, jujube, and glutinous rice. The light and tender texture of the stewed chicken and the ginseng-flavored glutinous rice porridge is excellent. Ogolgye tang (silkie chicken soup) and jeonbok samgye tang (abalone and ginseng chicken soup) are also favorites among patrons. This restaurant was selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul in 2023.

Agurang Kkotgerang (아구랑꽃게랑)

1.9Km 2024-03-08

35-7, Dongho-ro 24-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2263-5554

This is a seafood restaurant specializing in Ganjanggejang (Soy sauce marinated crab). The crab is plump and seasoned to perfection, making it an excellent accompaniment to steamed rice. The restaurant’s Gulgukbap (Oyster and rice soup), a winter favorite, is enhanced with seaweed fulvescens, which is rich in vitamins and iron, making it beneficial for those suffering from anemia. Side dishes include Cheongpomukmuchim (Mung bean jelly salad), Kimchi, and Kongnamulmuchim (Bean sprout salad). Another popular item on the menu is the spicy Agutang (Monkfish soup), filled with springy monkfish.

Comme Des Garçons [Tax Refund Shop] (꼼데가르송)

1.9Km 2024-04-18

261, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Passion 5 (패션5)

1.9Km 2024-03-08

272, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2071-9505

Passion 5 is a bakery and dessert café located in an art gallery-like space. It is made up of four sections offering bread, cakes, chocolate, and coffee with their unique ambiences. The menu consists of nearly 300-400 dessert items drawn from baking traditions around the world, including cakes, pudding, and handmade chocolate.