Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

7.5Km 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.

Lotte Himart - Songpa Lotte Mart Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데하이마트 송파롯데마트점)

7.5Km 2024-04-18

80, Jungdae-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

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Lotte Mart - Songpa Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (롯데마트 송파점)

7.5Km 2024-04-22

80, Jungdae-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul

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Old Thieves(늘근도둑이야기)

7.5Km 2025-09-15

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 22 (동숭동)

The Fighters of Joseon(조선의 복서)

7.5Km 2025-12-04

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 31 (동숭동)

Theatre Changdeokgung (창덕궁 소극장)

7.6Km 2021-12-07

88-1, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-7278

Theatre Changdeokgung is located across from Changdeokgung Palace in the Gugak-ro Special Cultural Zone of Seoul. To recreate the traditional Korean entertainment setting and offer a better view of the stage, the theater is designed with floor seatings facing a platform stage. The theater offers a wide array of performances including samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet), traditional Korean music, and madanggeuk (a play infused with traditional music and performances). First time visitors often find the creative and cozy experience create a lasting memory of Korean culture and arts. Also nearby the theater are a number of tourist attractions including Changdeokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong.

Thrill Me(쓰릴 미)

7.6Km 2025-05-21

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 21

Insa-dong Antique Art Street (인사동 고미술거리)

7.6Km 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.

Isae - Insa Branch (No. 2) [Tax Refund Shop] (이새 인사2호)

7.6Km 2024-04-18

30-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Rachmaninoff(라흐마니노프)

7.6Km 2025-09-12

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 21 (동숭동)

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