Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.0Km 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.

Nagwon Bindaetteok (낙원빈대떡)

1.0Km 2021-03-19

3, Supyo-ro 22-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-763-9515

This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul. An old restaurant located near Nakwon Music Mall. The best menu at this restaurant is mung bean pancake.

Cheonggye Pharmacy - Cheonggyecheon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (청계약국 청계천)

1.1Km 2024-04-17

14, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Gwanghwamun Seokgalbi (광화문석갈비)

1.1Km 2021-05-25

136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-318-6288

It is a restaurant frequently used as a place for group dinners by office workers. This restaurant's signature menu is grilled ribs on a hot plate. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Laderach SFC (레더라 SFC)

1.1Km 2021-03-29

136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-3245

It is a Swiss chocolate shop. The best menu at this restaurant is chocolate drink. This cafe is located in Jung-gu, Seoul.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

1.1Km 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.

Seoul Papyrus [Tax Refund Shop] (서울파피루스)

1.1Km 2024-04-19

136, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

1.1Km 2024-10-25

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Makercity Sewoon is Korea's first comprehensive electronics market, established in 1968 and has a 40-year history. As a mecca in the urban electronics industry area located in Jongno, the center of Seoul, you can purchase various electronic products here.
Since 2014, Seoul's urban regeneration project has been underway, and a pedestrian overpass, rooftop observatory, plaza, and Makers Cube, where you can experience the 4th industrial revolution, have been created to provide unique attractions.

Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony & Experience (숭례문 파수의식 / 원데이! 파수군)

1.1Km 2024-03-12

40 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
010-2802-2133

The Sungnyemun Gate Guard Ceremony is a reenactment of the changing of the guards who protected the fortress walls around the capital city during the Joseon dynasty. During this change, the gates would be opened for the off-duty guards to go out and replace those finishing their shift of walking along the walls.

Sungnyemun Gate (숭례문)

1.1Km 2024-11-27

40 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Sungnyemun Gate is Korea’s National Treasure No. 1, and its unofficial name is Namdaemun Gate. Sungnyemun Gate is the largest castle gate stone structure with an arched entrance in the middle. There’s a column on top of a platform, raising the roof, distinguishing the upper stories and lower stories of the building. Passageways for traffic are located at the east and west ends of the gate. Different from the other gates, Sungnyemun Gate’s tablet has its name written vertically.

On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun was destroyed by fire. After a 5-year reconstruction work, the gate was re-opened to the public again on May 4, 2013.

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