Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

11.5Km 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.

Gyeongbokgung Palace Jagyeongjeon Tea Ceremony (경복궁 자경전 다례체험행사)

11.5Km 2020-03-12

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-3210-4683

This traditional tea ceremony experience takes place at Jagyeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace every Saturday and Sunday. Participation is by reservation on a first come, first serve basis.

The ceremony includes a tea culture demonstration and experience, making honey cakes, traditional etiquette introduction, and lectures related to tea culture. To participate in the tea ceremony, download the application form from the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation website and submit the form through email.

Sigoljeonjip (시골전집)

11.5Km 2021-03-19

123, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-8525

This Korean cuisine is located near Jongno 3(sam)ga Station, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood and green onion pancake. Enjoy delicious food at affordable prices.

Well-being Sujebi (웰빙수제비)

11.5Km 2021-03-26

123, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-747-2436

A hidden restaurant frequented by workers in Jongno. The best menu at this restaurant is hand-pulled dough in perilla seed soup. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Insa-dong (인사동)

11.5Km 2024-05-17

62, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-0222

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.

The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area offering every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.

The teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. They are hidden deep within the twisting alleyways, making it feel like a treasure hunt. The shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is unique.

Every Saturday from 14:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, the main street is blocked to vehicular traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths outside and Korean candy merchants and fortune teller stalls can easily be found; there are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is especially popular among international tourists. This is where they can experience and see traditional Korean culture first-hand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.

Restaurant DAM (레스토랑담)

11.5Km 2021-03-30

30-7, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-3624

It is a gallery-like restaurant where you can enjoy paintings by famous artists. This restaurant's signature menu is pork shoulder steak. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum (이리자 한복전시관)

11.6Km 2022-08-08

20, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-734-9477

The Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum displays the traditional clothing worn in Korea from birth to death. All hanbok displayed at the museum are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja herself, who has over 40 years of experience.

Semi Jewelry [Tax Refund Shop] (새미쥬얼리)

11.6Km 2024-04-22

121-1, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Ssamzigil (쌈지길)

11.6Km 2025-06-19

44 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ssamzigil is an Insa-dong landmark and a shopping mall specializing in crafts. It is a place where the traditions of Korea come together with its present. Follow the paths that lead seamlessly from the lower floors to the upper floors and browse the small craft shops that inhabit the floors. You can find both works of traditional craft and contemporary craft here. Some craft shops also offer craft experiences, and one can also find restaurants and galleries within the complex.

Insa-dong Geujip (인사동그집)

11.6Km 2024-03-18

3 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-0575

Insa-dong Geujip is a hanok-style Korean restaurant located in a narrow alley in Insa-dong. Their signature dish, bulgogi yachaemari (bulgogi and vegetable roll), allows you to choose between stir-fried pork bulgogi, beef bulgogi, or chicken bulgogi. Visitors can enjoy the tangy and sweet flavor of the radish wrap filled with bulgogi and julienned vegetables, accompanied by side dishes and soybean paste stew. They also offer bulgogi nakji jeongol (bulgogi and octopus hot pot), cheolpan sogalbijjim (stir-fried marinated galbi on hot iron plate), and dolsot bibimbap (hot stone pot bibimbap) along with hahu yukhoe bibimbap (Korean beef tartare bibimbap).

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