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

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

5.1Km    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.

The War Memorial of Korea (전쟁기념관)

5.1Km    2022-12-29

29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-709-3144

The War Memorial of Korea, located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, exhibits and preserves materials related to the Korean War and serves as a national moral educational venue. It was established on June 10, 1994 by the War Memorial Service Korea Society to commemorate the noble sacrifice of patriotic martyrs. The museum houses approximately 33,000 artifacts with about 10,000 on display at indoor and outdoor exhibitions. There are six separate indoor halls, including Expeditionary Forces Room, Patriotic Memorial Room, War History Room, 6·25 Korean War Room, Development Hall and Large Machinery Room. The outdoor exhibition showcases large-sized weapons. Visitors of all ages from children to adults can also participate in 20 various educational programs and diverse cultural events such as military music and honor guard events, drawing contest, cultural event and more. The character of War Memorial of Korea is ‘Mudori’ featuring a helmet symbolizing the protection of the nation and a bay leaf meaning peace.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

5.2Km    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)

5.2Km    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.

Baekbeom Kim Koo Statue (Baekbeom Plaza) (백범김구선생상(백범 광장))

5.2Km    2025-10-23

Hoehyeon-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Baekbeom Kim Koo Statue is located in Baekbeom Plaza in Namsan Park, Seoul. Erected in August 1969, the statue stands at a x_height of 10 meters. It commemorates the patriotic spirit of Kim Koo, who was both an independence activist and a politician in South Korea. During the Japanese colonial period, he actively participated in anti-Japanese movements, and after liberation, he played a leading role in the establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea.

CheongKwanJang - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 광화문)

5.2Km    2024-04-22

20, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

Re-Heater(리히터)

5.2Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 중구 세종대로19길 16 (정동)

Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum (안중근의사기념관)

5.2Km    2024-03-06

91, Sowol-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
82-2-3789-1016

The Ahn Junggeun Memorial Museum honors the memory of Ahn Junggeun (1879-1910), an independence activist and soldier who advocated for Korean independence and peace in Asia. He fought against the Japanese to defend the Korean Empire (1897-1910). He was executed in 1910 for assassinating Hirobumi Ito, the Japanese who led the invasion of Korea in 1909, in Harbin, China.

Myeongdong Jjukkumi (명동쭈꾸미)

5.2Km    2025-07-23

3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Myeondong Jjukkumi is a jjukkumi (ocellerated octopus) restaurant located in Jung-gu, Seoul. It only takes about a 1-minute walk from Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4), Exit 2, a convenient location for both tourists and people who work in the area. Main menu items consist of jjukkumi and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), pork galbi (rib meat), bossam (cabbage wraps with pork), among other set menus. All dishes are cooked in the kitchen, and are known for their spicy kick and savory taste. The restaurant can accommodate group guests as it has a spacious hall as well as outdoor tables. Customers dining at the restaurant can help themselves to more side dishes at the self-service side dish bar and enjoy a hearty meal at a reasonable price. 

Bokidang (복이당)

5.2Km    2025-09-15

3-28 Toegye-ro 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Bokidang is a handmade salt buns specialty bakery cafe located in Jung-gu, Seoul. It is conveniently located just a 30-second walk from Exit 2 of Hoehyeon Station, situated in an area with high foot traffic from office workers and tourists. Bokidang presents handmade salt bread and beverages made with carefully selected fresh ingredients, with the hope that "everyone who eats will be blessed." The signature menu features a lineup of salt breads inspired by the 12 zodiac animal characters, each embodying health, wishes, and small happiness in a single bite. The store has a clean and warm atmosphere with an indoor seating area and outdoor seating, accommodating group guests and offering takeout for added convenience.