Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

9.1Km 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.

Donjon Chamnamu Jangjakgui (돈존참나무장작구이)

9.1Km 2021-03-19

8, Jong-ro9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-2700

A smoked BBQ restaurant. The representative menu is grilled duck. This Korean cuisine is located near Jonggak Station, Seoul.

Jonggak Hanu (종각한우)

9.1Km 2021-03-19

8, Jong-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-5613

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Jongno, Seoul. The most famous menu is assorted grilled Korean beef cuts. A restaurant that's open for group dinners.

Jeong’s Family (정스패밀리)

9.1Km 2025-03-15

16 , Hyochangwon-ro 8-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-10-6332-2043

Jeong's Family is a foreigner-only guesthouse in Hanseong Han River Apartments in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The apartment building is in a quiet residential area and has a fine view over the Han River and the riverside Hangang Park - which is a great place for walking or cycling. The two rooms are furnished with laptop PCs. Guests will recieve a welcome drink when they check-in, and a simple breakfast and dinner are provided upon prior reservation. The guesthouse is close to the airport bus stop, and convenient for public transport to tourist hotspots such as Gangnam, Hongdae, and Myeong-dong. There’s a key deposit system in operation.

Songa Myeongga (손가명가)

9.1Km 2021-03-19

13, Dadong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-1013

This Korean cuisine is located near Euljiro 1(il)ga Station, Seoul. It is a popular restaurant for group dinners. The representative menu is pork and kimchi stew.

Haemong (해몽)

9.1Km 2021-03-19

15-5, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4229

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled pork belly. A Korean BBQ restaurant.

Seoul Christmas Festival (서울 크리스마스 페스티벌)

9.1Km 2021-11-30

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-2-904-1159

Seoul Christmas Festival takes place at Cheonggye Plaza, the start of Cheonggyecheon Stream. Visitors can enjoy fancy illuminations, a Christmas tree and photo zones. Various events and programs are also prepared for a heartwarming end-of-the-year experience for everybody.

Youngpoong Bookstore - Jongno Branch (영풍문고-종로점)

9.1Km 2020-02-21

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-1522-2776

Along with books, Youngpoong Bookstore sells gifts, small electronics, stationery and much more. It also hosts various recitals, book signings, and literary programs. The Jongno branch of Youngpoong is the nation’s largest bookstore, boasting a total area of over 10,600 meters square.

The basement level of the store houses over 350,000 Korean and international books and there is also a customer service center and electronic search program where shoppers can find information on books.

On the B2 floor is the “Stylish Gift Mall,” which houses various stationery items, gifts, accessories, and brand shops like Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung Digital.There is also a CD section, healthcare section, diaries, home-décor items, luxury fountain pens, Hello Kitty section, café, eateries, and much more.

Youngpoong Bookstore - Jongno Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (영풍문고 종로점)

9.1Km 2024-04-18

41, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Arirang Master Crafts Shop (아리랑명품관)

9.1Km 2021-12-01

17-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-5700

Arirang Master Crafts Shop is a comprehensive shopping center dealing with traditional Korean crafts. It covers traditional crafts by famous artists, pottery for daily use, decorative pottery, lacquer ware inlaid with mother-of-pearl, crafts made of traditional Korean paper and more. Every product has a fixed price. In addtion, customers can enjoy diverse works displayed in the Migak Museum (Migak means delicate sculpture for eyes to see), located in the shop.

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