Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

1.7Km 2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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.

Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

1.7Km 2025-07-14

28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the northern side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored hanok (traditional Korean house) premises, a pavilion, a traditional garden, a performance art stage, and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for locals and tourists to take a leisure walk. Upon entering from the front gate, visitors will get a taste of Korea's traditional life while escaping from bustling city life. The traditional garden with its pavilion and old houses creates a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain. A time capsule commemorating Seoul’s 600th anniversary was buried in 1994 at the highest point of the village and is scheduled to be reopened 400 years later in 2394.

The five hanok premises at Namsangol Hanok Village once belonged to aristocrats and government officials of the Joseon dynasty. Each house was originally located in a different neighborhood, but they were all moved to this area and restored to their original form. The houses were rebuilt using their original materials, except for one house, where the materials were too old and deteriorated to be reused. The premises were carefully restored and replicated according to their original form to depict the owners’ social class and personality. These buildings are now used as an exhibit to portray the living environment during the Joseon dynasty and as a venue for educational and cultural programs for children and tourists.

Some of the unique programs and activities to participate in include wearing hanbok, folding hanji (traditional Korean paper), writing in Korean, traditional tea ceremony, traditional etiquette school, and herbal medicine experience. There are also taekwondo demonstrations and other various performances held around the village. Visitors can also try traditional games such as yunnori (traditional board game), or understand more about the area through a guided tour.

Boan1942 (보안1942)

1.7Km 2023-08-17

33 , Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of "Boanstay."

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul's historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

Gallery Simon (갤러리 시몬)

1.7Km 2022-09-15

20, Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Since its opening in April, 1994, Gallery Simon has continued to focus on promoting the beauty of modern art. Exhibitions include works from experienced artists as well as the works of budding artists, both from Korea and abroad. Select artists, referred to collectively as "Simon's Friends," have exhibitions annually. The changing collections allow the museum and featured artists to constantly strive for improvement and follow the changes in art over time.

Ground Seesaw Seochon (그라운드시소 서촌)

1.7Km 2023-01-17

18-8, Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Ground Seesaw is a cultural complex located in Seochon, Jongno presented by Media & Art, an exhibition production company, and designed by SoA, an architecture firm, and Loci Studio, a landscaping studio. Visitors are able to check out a variety of exhibits at Ground Seesaw Seochon.

Seochon Village (서촌마을)

1.7Km 2024-12-02

45 Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Nuha-dong)

Seochon Village is the name given to the area to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is a historic village, home to old shops and hanok buildings that have stood the test of time. Korean traditions and contemporary sensibilities coexist within Seochon Village’s maze-like alleyways, creating the unique ambience that makes the district so beloved. One can find shops, guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants in the village.

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.7Km 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.

Starbucks Byuldabang (스타벅스 별다방)

1.7Km 2024-12-27

100 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Byuldabang is a cozy space in the city, where the present and future of Starbucks coexist

Byuldabang is a special name. It combines the Korean words byul, which means stars, and dabang, which means a traditional space where people gather and talk over tea or drink. Byuldabang is the nickname Koreans generally use for Starbucks. Starbucks Byuldabang store opened in appreciation of customers of Starbucks Korea, celebrating its 22nd anniversary. This particular store is a Starbucks Reserve store with new concept food items, and is the first among Starbucks stores worldwide to have digital art wall decorations. The images projected to the art wall are “The Journey of Siren.” It is a surreal journey of Siren, who delivers coffee messages around the ocean, day and night. Customers love the story.

Namsan Arts Center (남산예술센터)

1.7Km 2021-08-26

138, Sopa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namsan Arts Center, reopened as a creative space in Seoul in September 2009. It redefined the colors and characteristics of the theater, aiming for a modern theater production center centered on creative premieres, a contemporary performance venue where visitors can feel the pulse of the times, and a theater capable of various experiments.
Namsan Arts Center Drama Center is the first modern folk theater in Korea and the oldest performance hall in which the original architectural form has been preserved. Under the concept of "Contemporary & New Wave," the center continues to produce domestic original plays, and through active exchanges with excellent overseas theaters, build a repertoire of high-quality works that can read domestic and overseas trends, and present contemporary cultural diversity.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

1.7Km 2025-01-10

24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문) - Area information - Korea travel information