Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

9.5Km 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.

Himart - Guri Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (하이마트 구리역점)

9.5Km 2024-04-18

268, Gyeongchun-ro, Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do

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Hanji House (한지가헌)

9.5Km 2025-07-25

31-9 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Hanji House was founded to pass on the cultural heritage of hanji, traditional Korean paper, as well as to promote its excellence and uses in everyday life. The center is operated by Korea Craft & Design Foundation, and offers a variety of programs that consist of exhibitions, hands-on activities, classes, and marketing hanji products. On the first floor is Hanji Showroom, where various exhibitions take place to showcase hanji of the past and the present. The basement floor comprises Hanji Open Archive, Hanji Print Studio, and Hanji Workroom, where most of the hands-on activities and classes are held. Hanji House also offers a docent program for exploring the whole area.

SEOUL SHINSEGAE EYE CENTER (서울신세계안과의원)

9.5Km 2025-10-23

3rd–4th Floors, Y-Square, 52 Dobong-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul

SEOUL SHINSEGAE EYE CENTER is a premium clinic with specialists from Korea’s top hospitals. With AI-based precision systems and an advanced surgical center, we offer safe, customized care. Sterile ORs, 7-stage purification, and age-specific checkups ensure lifelong family eye health.

Uniqlo - Gwanghwamun D Tower Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (유니클로 광화문D타워)

9.5Km 2024-04-17

17, Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Modern Shabu House Gwanghwamun D Tower Branch (모던샤브하우스 광화문D타워점)

9.5Km 2025-12-02

17 Jong-ro 3-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Located in Jongno-gu, Modern Shabu House Gwanghwamun D Tower Branch offers a selection of specialty broths to enjoy unlimited beef, pork, and vegetables. The restaurant serves four cuts of pork and beef in every course. The interior is designed with natural materials like earth, stone, and wood, inspired by the fluid process of cooking ingredients like meat and vegetables in a pot. The design reflects the natural movement and flow of ingredients as they cook together. The restaurant also has a range of private rooms, making it a popular choice for families with children and for gatherings, providing a comfortable dining experience.

Dalgaebi (달개비)

9.5Km 2024-03-15

16 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-82-2-765-2035, 2068

Dalgaebi is a restaurant specializing in Korean table d'hote, using fresh seasonal ingredients. Its flagship menu is the teukseon sangcharim jeongsik (special set menu), which includes porridge, seasonal dishes, main courses, and desserts. The galbi sangcharim (galbi course), featuring premium Korean beef galbi grilled over charcoal and served with soybean paste jjigae, is also popular. Known for its private dining spaces and upscale ambiance, reservations can be made via phone.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

9.5Km 2022-08-11

15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. The observatory has a cafe inside where visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace from above. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong.

Jinju Hoegwan (진주회관)

9.5Km 2024-06-19

26 Sejong-daero 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5388

Jinju Hoegwan is a renowned kongguksu (noodles in cold soybean soup) eatery near City Hall Station. Kongguksu is a traditional Korean summer dish made by boiling and grinding soybeans into a creamy broth, served with noodles, offering a refreshing and nutty flavor. Kongguksu is available from March to November. Their staff-recommended menu includes kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice), freshly roasted by the staff, along with kimchi jjigae and samgyeopsal (pork belly).

Dong-Lim Knot Museum (동림매듭박물관)

9.5Km 2021-12-21

10, Bukchon-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3673-2778

Opened in April 2004, Dong-Lim Knot Museum exhibits a variety of decorative traditional Korean maedeup (knots): norigae for hanbok, belts, pouches, as well as materials like thread, cord, and accessories. Housed in a hanok, a traditional Korean house, the gallery has a variety of exhibits, including old and new artwork, and creations that reflect modern trends.

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