Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대) - Area information - Korea travel information

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

678.1M    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.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

683.4M    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.

Godiva - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (고디바 광화문점)

Godiva - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (고디바 광화문점)

684.8M    2024-04-22

1F, to 3F, 159, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Olive Young - Sejong-ro Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 세종로)

698.2M    2024-04-16

161, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Dongnimmun Yeongcheon Market (독립문영천시장)

716.7M    2023-01-17

189-1, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Yeongcheon Market, which was formed in the 1960s near Dongnimmun Gate in Seodaemun-gu, is a marketplace with over 50 years of history and tradition, once famous as one of the largest rice cake wholesale markets in Seoul. It is set up near a residential district, which makes it one of the city's most notable street-style traditional markets that nearby residents frequently visit. The city of Seoul selected the area surrounding 38 Yeongcheonsijang-gil, Seodaemun-gu as the "Future Heritage of July" in 2021.

It is a large-scale traditional market that currently features around 198 stores, and it is well-known for its various foods and snacks such as tteokbokki and twisted donuts sold at about 40% of all shops.

Irilju (일일주(日日酒))

Irilju (일일주(日日酒))

717.8M    2021-03-30

4, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-1717

It is a delicious restaurant in Gwanghwamun with a good atmosphere. This Japanese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is salmon sashimi.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

718.5M    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)

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

718.5M    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.

Jaembaeok (잼배옥)

Jaembaeok (잼배옥)

720.2M    2021-03-30

68-9, Sejong-daero 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-8106

It has over 80 years of tradition. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is ox bone soup.

Bijindo Haemulttukbaegi (비진도해물뚝배기)

Bijindo Haemulttukbaegi (비진도해물뚝배기)

725.0M    2021-03-30

53, Seosomun-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-312-2867

It is a place that many tourists, as well as office workers, visit. This seafood restaurant is located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is seafood hot pot.