Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)
5.6Km 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.
OKIN PIZZA (옥인피자)
5.6Km 2021-03-19
26, Ogin-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-9944
This is a Western cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is pizza. You can eat delicious pizza at hanok, a Korean traditional house.
Chamdaegutang (참대구탕)
5.6Km 2021-09-01
3, Hangang-daero 62-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-798-7380
This is a Korean cuisine located in Itaewon, Seoul. Clear fish soup boiled with codfish (fish). The best menu at this restaurant is codfish stew.
Seochon Chingune (서촌친구네)
5.6Km 2021-03-18
32, Jahamun-ro 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-4763
A Seafood specialty restaurant located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. A restaurant serving a variety of seafood dishes. The most famous menu is steamed clams.
Hyundai Kalguksu (현대칼국수)
5.7Km 2020-06-16
76, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-9504
Hyundai Kalguksu is a kalguksu (handmade knife-cut noodles) restaurant that has been in the family for two generations (1982). The restaurant is extremely popular among people working at nearby businesses, thanks to the rich flavor of the broth. Anchovies, dried pollack heads, and kelp are simmered for many hours, and then, other ingredients are added: soft noodles and various vegetables including pumpkin, onion, and green onions. The restaurant is famous for the exquisite taste of its kalguksu, as well as for its large servings. Just one bowl is enough to satisfy a starving man, but if you are still hungry, don’t hesitate to ask for more rice or noodles for free. Another unforgettable specialty here is kimchi. You will also be able to enjoy geotjeori (freshly made kimchi) and kkakdugi (sliced white-radish kimchi), which is fermented for about three days.
Namdaemun Jungang Shopping Center (남대문 중앙상가)
5.7Km 2020-04-17
21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2805
Jungang Shopping Center boasts diverse items for women. Its first floor is devoted to shops selling women's clothing and accessories with colorful designs, appealing to female customers. The second floor houses shops selling folk crafts and tradtional crafts, popular among international tourists. It also deals with bedding items, handicrafts, linen and cotton items, and tradtional wedding items.
Namdaemun Shopping Center (남대문 종합상가)
5.7Km 2021-06-04
21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2805
Thanks to its rich history, Namdaemun Shopping Center boasts not only an impressive array of items, but items not available elsewhere. For instance, visitors can find all kinds of hard-to-get camera parts and accessories. Local products from across the country are also readily available in Namdaemun Shopping Center.
Namdaemun Ginseng Market (남대문인삼시장)
5.7Km 2021-06-09
25-8, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-1012
Namdaemun Ginseng Market is found along the central path of Namdaemun Market located on Namdaemun-ro.There are approximately 20 shops standing close together in the market, with seven other ginseng shops in a ginseng distributor center located on the second floor of Namdaemun Theatre building. Here, visitors can purchase quality ginseng at a 20~30% lower price than the regular consumer price.
Visitors can also purchase fresh ginseng and other processed products such as ginseng tea and powder, as well as a variety of oriental health foods including: red ginseng, honey, Yeongji mushrooms, traditional teas, brown rice and adlay.
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