Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

877.5M 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.

Bunni Studios Optical - Myeongdong Branch (바니스튜디오 안경(명동역점))

883.8M 2024-04-02

21 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Bunni Studios is an optical store geared toward the younger generation, offering quality glasses and color contact lenses. The staff are able to provide service in a range of foreign languages, including English, Japanese, and Chinese. Bunni Studios collaborates with popular lens producers, and offers over 500 types of lenses. Shoppers can also have products delivered to their hotel within Seoul if they shop does not have the item in stock. International tourists can make tax-free purchases.

Hamcho Ganjanggejang (함초간장게장)

887.0M 2024-03-11

27, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-1624

Situated in Myeongdong Street, Hamcho Ganjanggejang specializes in ganjang gejang (soy sauce marinated crab). Their signature dish, ganjang gejang, is made by marinating blue crab in soy sauce and is a favorite among Koreans. Saeu jang (soy sauce marinated shrimp) and other seafood dishes (abalone, octopus, etc.) are also a must-try. In addition, the traditional Korean side dishes are so tasty that the restaurant never runs out of customers.

Converse - Myeong-dong Jungang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (컨버스명동중앙점)

887.8M 2024-07-01

3, Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Ziozia Ssts - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (지오지아 SSTS 명동점)

889.7M 2024-04-22

6, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Arumdaun Nara Dermatology Clinic - Myeongdong (아름다운나라피부과의원 명동점)

889.7M 2025-11-21

4th Floor, 6 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Founded in 2000. Our clinic is led by a board-certified dermatologist. One of only 2% of doctors in Korea who are certified dermatology specialists who personally provides all consultations and treatments.

Olive Young - Myeongdong Jungang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동중앙점)

898.1M 2024-06-27

1F, 18, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Bank of Korea Money Museum (화폐박물관)

899.2M 2024-03-18

39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

This Renaissance-style three-story stone building is the museum of the Bank of Korea. The older Bank of Korea was established as the central bank of the Korean Empire in 1909 and has been designated as a National Historical Site. During the Japanese colonial period, the bank was renamed the Bank of Joseon, and the building was used as the main and head office of the Bank of Korea until 2001. The building has been used as the nation’s Money Museum since June 2001 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bank of Korea. The museum has 13 exhibition rooms on two floors, with one basement floor and two above-ground floors. It holds special exhibitions of various currency and art collections to provide domestic and foreign visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the history and culture of currency. Visitors can learn about the Bank of Korea and the central banking system, as well as how to identify counterfeit notes and how money is produced and circulated. It is also a good place for children to learn about currencies from around the world. Advance reservations are required, and parking is not available. The museum can easily be reached via subway by getting off at Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4) and exiting through Exit 7.

Songhyeon Green Plaza (열린송현 녹지광장)

902.7M 2025-11-11

Songhyeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Songhyeon Green Plaza, located between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jongno, is a space for culture and rest. The site was formerly used as housing for Shiksan Bank during Japanese rule. After Korea’s liberation, it served as a residence for the US Embassy and military personnel. Later in 1997, it was returned to the Korean government but remained unused for years. In 2022, the ownership was transferred to the Korean House and Land Corporation and then to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which redeveloped it into a green plaza and opened it to the public. Upon entering the plaza, visitors are greeted by a spacious lawn adorned with flowers during the blooming season. The plaza is connected to the nearby tourist attractions through shortcuts cutting through it, including Cheong Wa Dae (Blue House), Gwanghwamun Plaza, Insa-dong, and Bukchon Hanok Village.

Adidas Original - Myeongdong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (아디다스오리지널 명동점)

903.1M 2024-04-19

20, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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