Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

8.9Km 2025-06-25

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Omokjip Cityhall(오목집 시청)

8.9Km 2020-10-30

38, Namdaemun-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-6882

A pig's trotter(s) specialty restaurant located near City Hall Station in Seoul. This restaurant's signature menu is braised pigs'' feet. Jokbal (pig's trotter) is a representative food loved by Koreans.

Gyodae Icheungjip Sicheong (교대이층집 시청)

8.9Km 2020-10-30

2F, 38, Namdaemun-ro, 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-6882

A barbecue specialty restaurant located near City Hall Station in Seoul. A store famous for flower-shaped pork belly. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly.

Olive Young - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 이태원입구)

8.9Km 2024-04-18

1F, 145, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Seoul Crown Hotel (서울 크라운 관광호텔 )

8.9Km 2021-05-24

140, Noksapyeong-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-4111

Seoul Crown Hotel is in the main shopping district of Itaewon, an international area where a variety of restaurants, shops, and other entertainment choices are clustered. The hotel is perfect for rest, weddings or events and parties as it is equipped with all the subsidiary facilities to accommodate all the guest’s needs. Guests can also easily travel throughout the city using public transportation that is nearby.

Olive Young - City Hall Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 시청역)

8.9Km 2024-04-22

1, Sejong-daero 16-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

8.9Km 2024-11-28

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.

Trevia (트레비아)

8.9Km 2021-03-30

1, Itaewon-ro 15-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-794-6003

You can enjoy light Italian pizza. This restaurant's signature menu is pizza. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

VATOS (바토스)

8.9Km 2021-03-29

1, Itaewon-ro 15-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-797-8226

It serves new-concept dishes by combining Korean flavors with traditional Mexican dishes. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is cheese nacho.

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion (황학정)

8.9Km 2020-04-02

15-32, Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-5785

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was built in 1898 by decree of King Gojong’s. It was originally set up close to the northern wall of Hoesangjeon in Gyeonghuigung Palace for archery practice. In 1922 when the Japanese colonial government sold buildings of Gyeonghuigung Palace to the public to build Gyeongseong Middle School in the location, the Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was bought and restored at the current location, which is an old site of Deunggwajeong Pavilion located to the North of Sajik Park.

It is relatively large for a pavilion, but the structure is plain and simple. There is a well behind the pavilion to the southwest. A rock behind the well has an engraved poem about eight beautiful scenes of Hwanghakjeong. Located to the right of the pavilion building (northeast of the building) is Hancheongak Pavilion, which has unique roof. To the west of the pavilion is Sauhoegwan Hall that was built with reinforced concrete.

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) - Area information - Korea travel information