Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문) - Area information - Korea travel information

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

7.4Km    2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

7.4Km    2025-05-20

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

Lloyd - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (로이드 대학로)

7.4Km    2024-04-17

1F, 31, Daemyeong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Innisfree - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 대학로)

Innisfree - Daehangno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 대학로)

7.4Km    2024-04-19

51, Daehak-ro 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Aritaum - Kyung Hee Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (아리따움 경희대)

Aritaum - Kyung Hee Univ. Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (아리따움 경희대)

7.4Km    2024-04-18

1F, 22, Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

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

7.4Km    2024-04-22

22, Daemyeong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Himart - Sadang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 사당점)

Himart - Sadang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 사당점)

7.4Km    2024-04-18

77, Dongjak-daero, Dongjak-gu, Seoul

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Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

Museum Kimchikan (뮤지엄 김치간)

7.4Km    2025-06-19

(4-6th floor, Maru Art Center), 35-4 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Museum Kimchikan is a museum dedicated to kimchi in Insa-dong’s Maru Art Center. The exhibition details the culture, history, trajectory, and efficacy of kimchi and teaches the visitors how to make kimchi through videos. Visitors can also sample different types of kimchi. The museum offers both individual and group experience programs.

Damgeum (담금)

Damgeum (담금)

7.4Km    2024-03-26

37 Seongnae-ro 18-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul

With its faded white-toned outdoor and indoor interiors and various plants, Cafe Damgeum makes one feel as if they are in a quiet cafe in Italy. The menu includes Italian brunch, dessert, and espresso. Espresso is available in many varieties. Also, this place serves handmade gelato certified by the Italian government, so visitors can enjoy this rich, soft, and delicious Italian dessert. The representative coffee drinks here are espresso and espresso con panna. Espresso con panna has a thick layer of cream on top, allowing one to taste the bitterness of coffee and the sweetness of cream at the same time.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

7.4Km    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.