Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.1Km 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.

New Seoul Hotel (뉴서울호텔)

1.1Km 2021-05-11

16, Sejong-daero 22-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-8800

New Seoul Hotel is conveniently located in central Seoul near City Hall, providing guests with easy access to shopping, sightseeing, and more. The guestrooms are outfitted with modern amenities for a comfortable stay, and the hotel has several dining, entertainment and convenience facilities such as a business center, a souvenir shop and men's sauna.

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.

Sewoon Plaza (세운전자상가(세운전자플라자))

1.1Km 2023-11-23

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2271-2344

Sewoon Plaza, also known as Sewoon Electronics Plaza, was famous for electronic goods as the sole electronics shop before Yongsan Electronics Department Store was built. The scale doesn’t meet that of Yongsan Mall but its location in the heart of downtown Seoul as well as their 10 years of fame have worked to keep a strong customer base.

The department store is divided into two buildings along Cheonggyecheon-ro. Most of the electornics are available on the first building. On the first floor, home and lifestyle electronic goods including irons, hair dryers, telephones, razors as well as gas stoves, various heaters, kitchen tools and more are sold. On the second floor, visitors can find televisions, fridges, laundry machines, audio & video devices. On the third floor, newlyweds can buy their electronic goods and appliances for the kitchen. Also, computers and related devices and parts are available on the fourth floor. The price range here is relatively cheaper than the regular consumer price.

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.

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong, Da-dong and Mugyo-dong Special Tourist Zone (명동 남대문 북창동 다동무교동 관광특구)

1.1Km 2021-12-30

40, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4622

Myeong-dong, Namdaemun, Bukchang-dong and Da-dong are widely known among international visitors as hot spots for shopping and food.

Myeong-dong is a popular destination for shopping, culture, arts and fashion. Major shopping malls such as Lotte Department Store, Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong Migliore and Samik Fashion Town are located here. Shoppers can find a variety of products here from high-end items to relatively inexpensive clothes. There’s also no shortage of street food, traditional restaurants, coffee shops and fancy cafes.

Namdaemun Market is the biggest traditional market in Korea. Visitors can purchase souvenirs and local produce at an affordable price in the shopping complex crowded with stores and street stalls. The market sells a variety of clothes, kitchenware, toys, accessories, food, flowers and imported goods.

Bukchang-dong and Sogong-dong have high-end accommodations including Lotte Hotel Seoul and Westin Chosun Seoul, duty-free shops, and restaurants serving traditional dishes.

[Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Myeong-dong, Bukchang-dong, Mugyo-dong and Da-dong, Seoul
Area size: 872,809 ㎡
Tourist attractions: Myeong-dong, Namdaemun Market and Bukchang-dong, Department Stores (Lotte Department and Shinsegae Department Store, etc.), Traditional Market, Duty-free Shop, Hanok Village, N Seoul Tower, etc.

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

1.1Km 2024-04-17

14, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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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.

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.

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.

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