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

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

4.9Km    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.

Namdaemun Market (남대문시장)

4.9Km    2024-05-17

21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-2805

Opened in 1964, Namdaemun Market is the largest traditional market in Korea with shops selling various goods. All products are sold at affordable prices and the stores in this area also function as wholesale markets.

Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 23:00 to 04:00, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.

Re-Heater(리히터)

4.9Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 중구 세종대로19길 16 (정동)

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

4.9Km    2025-01-13

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

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.

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

4.9Km    2025-05-20

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

SOSO House (소소하우스)

4.9Km    2024-12-13

16-5 , Pirundae-ro 5ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5286-0704

Soso House is a private hanok stay located in Seochon, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Once you enter the gate, you are greeted by a small yard paved with stones and an alpine apple tree. There is a stool on one side of the yard where you can enjoy a cup of tea on a sunny day. In the daecheong maru (wooden-floored hall, there is a master bedroom on one side and a kitchen on the other, and the master bedroom has an attic. Cooking is allowed, and complimentary breakfast includes toast, salad, and coffee, as well as complimentary homemade fruit syrup and tea bags. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul Museum of History, and Park No-Soo Art Museum are all within walking distance.

NUHADANG(누하당)

4.9Km    2024-06-20

49-7 , Pirundae-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3391-0010, +82-10-4347-5768

Nuhadang is a traditional hanok with over 100 years of history. It is located in a quiet spot in Seochon, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where many scholars and artists have lived since Joseon times. Rooms are wallpapered with eco-friendly Korean paper, and thick cotton blankets and cypress pillows will sooth travelers' fatigue. In the yard and small garden you can experience traditional Korean culture: janggu drumming, the game of yunnori, and Hanbok clothing. Walking the streets of Seochon - past Yun Dong-ju's hostel, Park No-su's art museum, and Lee Sang's house -  you can still feel the atmosphere of old Seoul.

Seoul Hanok Stay (JNP Stay) (서울한옥스테이(jnpstay))

4.9Km    2024-10-30

7-28 , Jahamun-ro 1na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-5720-6800

Seoul Hanok Stay (JNP Stay) is a private hanok stay located 3 minutes' walking distance from Gyeongbokgung Station. You can play traditional Korean games such as jejichagi (hacky sack), yut nori (board game), and tuho (arrow-throwing) in the yard, and cooking barbecue adds to the charm of the hanok. From the yard, you can enjoy the sky view, feel the gentle breeze, and observe raindrops falling from the eaves.

Gwanghwamun Gukbap (광화문국밥)

4.9Km    2024-06-19

53 Sejong-daero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Gwanghwamun Gukbap is a dwaeji gukbap (pork and rice soup) restaurant operated by Chef Park Chanil. Its distinctive feature lies in using only black pork loin and shoulder to enhance the flavor. The signature dish is the dwaeji gukbap, which boasts a mild, clean, and deep flavor. In addition to that, they also offer dwaeji suyuk (boiled pork slices) and pisundae (sundae with pork blood). Known for its authentic taste of rice soup and rich broth, it's a popular destination for many.

Luii (루이)

5.0Km    2024-07-17

40, Sejong-daero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-736-8889

Luii is a Chinese restaurant operated by a veteran chef with extensive experience in Chinese cuisine. The restaurant has several rooms of different sizes to accommodate various events. It also has a VIP room for more private gatherings.