Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

6.6Km 2024-10-31

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

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.

ABC-Mart - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (ABC마트 ST이태원)

6.6Km 2024-04-22

159-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

6.6Km 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.

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

6.6Km 2025-01-17

55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul Museum of History covers everything about Seoul's history and culture from the prehistoric era to modern times, focusing especially on the Joseon era. The museum aims to raise cultural awareness and build a strong bond within the community by collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying artifacts and materials related to Seoul as well as promoting the city's history and culture to an international audience.

Innisfree - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 이태원)

6.6Km 2024-04-18

160-1, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Wangsol Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (왕솔약국)

6.6Km 2024-04-22

36, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Jeonju Hoegwan (전주회관)

6.6Km 2019-08-31

32-1, Sejong-daero 14-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
82-2-778-6689

Well-known among both Koreans and foreigners, this restaurant has been specializing in traditional Korean dishes for more than 50 years. Its gopdol bibimbap is patented and also the most popular dish in the restaurant.

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall (트레블로지 명동 시티홀)

6.6Km 2021-06-25

22, Sejong-daero 16-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6362-6000

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall provides excellent and efficient customer services as well as convenient amenities for the comfort of all their guests. The hotel is only 3 minutes’ walk away from City Hall Station, and its location benefits both tourists and business travelers alike as it offers various transportation options with Seoul's popular tourist attractions in the vicinity, such as Deoksugung Palace and Namdaemun Market. The hotel features a sauna session and spa services to relieve stress and put one's body and mind at ease after a busy day of traveling.

Davich Optical - Geumcheon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (다비치안경 금천)

6.6Km 2024-04-22

415, Siheung-daero, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul

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Shinsegae Duty Free Shop - Myeong-dong Branch (신세계면세점 명동점)

6.6Km 2017-06-13

77, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Opened in May 2016, the Shinsegae Duty Free Store in Myeong-dong offers culture, tourism, and shopping on the 8-12 floors of the main branch of Shinsegae Department Store. The shops sell famous international brands as well as top Korean brands for a global shopping experience. The store is located nearby popular tourist attractions N Seoul Tower and Namdaemun Traditional Market, making it easy to enjoy tourism and shopping in one location.

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