Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

3.1Km 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.

Thimbloom - Gyeongbokgung Branch (No. 2) [Tax Refund Shop] (팀블룸2호점 경복궁)

3.1Km 2024-04-18

1F, BF (Nuha-dong), 46, Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Yurae hoegwan (유래회관)

3.1Km 2021-03-29

196, Majang-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2293-8866

It is a restaurant where you can enjoy Korean beef sirloin with a tradition of 57 years. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled sirloin.

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall (트레블로지 명동 시티홀)

3.1Km 2021-06-25

22, Sejong-daero 16-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6362-6000

Travelodge Myeongdong City Hall provides excellent and efficient customer services as well as convenient amenities for the comfort of all their guests. The hotel is only 3 minutes’ walk away from City Hall Station, and its location benefits both tourists and business travelers alike as it offers various transportation options with Seoul's popular tourist attractions in the vicinity, such as Deoksugung Palace and Namdaemun Market. The hotel features a sauna session and spa services to relieve stress and put one's body and mind at ease after a busy day of traveling.

Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

3.1Km 2025-06-25

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Seoul K-Medi Center (서울한방진흥센터)

3.1Km 2024-12-12

26 Yangnyeongjungang-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

Seoul Yangnyeongsi Market is an herbal medicine specialty market that distributes 70% of the herbal medicines traded in Korea and is a Korean medicine-themed town with over a thousand businesses related to oriental medicine, including oriental medicine clinics and herbal medicine stores. The Seoul K-Medi Center, located in this center of Korean herbal medicine culture, is an oriental medicine complex cultural facility that promotes the excellence and safety of traditional Korean medicine through various exhibitions, education, and experiences. The building is unique in that it harmonizes the simplicity of modern architecture with Korean elegance. Visitors can enjoy various experiences in many different facilities in the center, including the Herb Medicine Museum, where one can expand their understanding of Korean medicine by examining over 300 types of medicinal herbs and their effects; the Herb Medicine Experience Room, where visitors can experience herbal medicine natural face packs and herbal heat packs; and Yakseon Food Experience Center, where visitors can learn about healthy recipes using medicinal herbs and make healthy foods.

Larva Town (라바타운)

3.1Km 2022-12-23

1, Gyeonghuigung 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4609-6492

Larva Town is divided into areas of three different themes: TUBAn Yard, TUBAn Goods, and Cafe Wingcle. TUBAn Yard greets visitors with animation character Larva dressed up as a gatekeeper from the Joseon dynasty along with other amusing sculptures that serve as excellent props for taking souvenir photos. The yard is open to public, welcoming any passerby to stop by and relax. As for TUBAn Goods, the shop is filled with character merchandise targeted towards consumers of diverse age range. Featured characters include TUBAn's iconic Larva, Dinocore, and Wingcle. After looking around TUBAn Yard and TUBAn Goods, visitors can stop by Cafe Wingcle where they can enjoy a cup of coffee with dessert surrounded by adorable Wingcle and friends.

Shinsegae Department Store - Main Store (신세계백화점 (본점))

3.1Km 2025-04-07

63 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-1588-1234

Shinsegae Department Store opened its doors as the first modern department store in the country in 1960. It stands where Korea's first department store, the Japanese Misreukkosi Department Store, used to be in the 1930s. After undergoing remodeling in 2007, it reopened as a luxury hall, featuring diverse brands ranging from the top three international luxury brands to new designer brands. In addition, the Trinity Gardens and art halls in the department store serve as a cultural space for a shopping experience that combines art and shopping.

Jeonju Hoegwan (전주회관)

3.1Km 2019-08-31

32-1, Sejong-daero 14-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
82-2-778-6689

Well-known among both Koreans and foreigners, this restaurant has been specializing in traditional Korean dishes for more than 50 years. Its gopdol bibimbap is patented and also the most popular dish in the restaurant.

Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum (서울약령시 한의약박물관)

3.1Km 2023-04-06

26, Yangnyeongjungang-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-969-9241

Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum opened in September 2006 on the grounds of Bojewon, a medical institution for the poor that was in operation during the Joseon dynasty. The museum was established with the goal of preserving and developing Korea’s herb medicine culture. In October 2017, the museum moved to the second floor of the Seoul K-Medi Center. The center provides both information and hands-on programs.

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