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.

Gaetmaeul (갯마을)

5.1Km 2016-09-23

248, Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-5655, +82-2-798-1655

Gaetmaeul restaurant, located in Ichon-dong in the Yongsan area of Seoul, is widely known for its specialty dish, Son-manduguk (handmade dumpling soup). Not only does it serve exceptionally delicious food, but the service is friendly, and the facilities are clean. As well as the excellent mandu dishes, such as manduguk (dumpling soup) and tteok-manduguk (dumpling soup with rice cake slices), the menu also includes bindatteok (Korean mung-bean pancake) and suyuk (boiled slices of beaf). The kimchi used to fill the dumplings and offered as a side dish is also particularly good.

Samseong Bbalgan Yangnyeom Sutbulgui (삼성 빨간양념 숯불구이)

5.1Km 2020-06-16

37, Namdaemun-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-6449

Samseong Bbalgan Yangnyeomg has been famous for its charcoal-grilled dishes since 1972, and is especially well known for its spicy seasoning made from powdered red pepper, garlic, and ginger. Pork is mixed with the seasoning, giving it the characteristic red color and unique flavor, and then grilled over hot coals. This is the perfect restaurant for spicy food-lovers or those looking for a challenge.
Other dishes include jumulleok (marinated pork) and donggeurangttaeng (batter-fried meatballs). Jumulleok is made by seasoning fresh meat, whereas donggeurangttaeng is made by cutting the frozen meat into small pieces, and then marinating it. Older adults usually prefer jumulleok, while the young prefer donggeurangttaeng.

Whixcom [Tax Refund Shop] (휙스컴)

5.1Km 2024-04-18

20-1, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Burdeng Children's Clothing Shopping Center (부르뎅 아동복)

5.1Km 2021-04-09

14, Namdaemunsijang 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-5737

Burdeng Children's Clothing Shopping Center offers diverse clothing items and accessories for adults and children in particular. It is one of the largest distributors of children's clothing in Korea. High quality children's clothing is available at inexpensive prices for both retail and wholesale purchases.

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.

Jeongdong Culture Festival (정동문화축제)

5.1Km 2024-10-11

Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-1603

Jeongdong Culture Festival brings an autumn ambience to Jeongdong-gil in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival aims to promote the attractions within the area through various events and exhibitions.

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

5.1Km 2024-04-22

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

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Omokjip Cityhall(오목집 시청)

5.1Km 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)

5.1Km 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.

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