Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

3.3Km 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.

Seoul Museum of History (서울역사박물관)

3.3Km 2025-01-17

55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Seoul Museum of History covers everything about Seoul's history and culture from the prehistoric era to modern times, focusing especially on the Joseon era. The museum aims to raise cultural awareness and build a strong bond within the community by collecting, preserving, researching, and displaying artifacts and materials related to Seoul as well as promoting the city's history and culture to an international audience.

Good Morning Eyewear [Tax Refund Shop] (굿모닝안경)

3.4Km 2024-04-22

61, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

3.4Km 2022-12-15

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Detention Camp. It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in the 1960s. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated a Historic Site. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, another Historic Site. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

E-Mart 24 - The Bank Of Korea Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이마트24 한국은행)

3.4Km 2024-04-18

9, Namdaemun-ro 5-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital (가톨릭대학교 여의도성모병원)

3.4Km 2025-10-23

(Yeouido-dong), 10 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

The Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, established in 1936, is a hospital affiliated with a medical school and has a rich history of advancing the country's medical field through exceptional medical staff and pioneering research.
The hospital offers a convenient fast-track service for swift diagnosis and treatment, ranging from complex cancer care to minor conditions. As the first in Korea to open a dedicated lymphoma center, we have specialized expertise in treating various cancers, including lymphoma.
Our use of da Vinci robotic surgery allows for precise, minimally invasive procedures for complex conditions such as uterine fibroids, rectal cancer, prostate cancer, and thyroid cancer, promoting faster recovery. The hospital's one-stop service for breast and thyroid nodules ensures rapid diagnosis and treatment planning, completing biopsies within a single day.
At the Catholic University of Korea, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, we remain committed to providing top-tier medical services and advancing medical research while upholding the highest standards of bioethics.

Boylondon - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (보이런던 회현)

3.4Km 2024-04-16

2F, 72, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Leaders Dermatology Clinic Myeongdong (리더스피부과의원 명동점)

3.4Km 2025-10-23

B1 Floor, 72 Toegye-ro (Hoehyeon-dong 1-ga, SK Leaders' View Namsan), Jung-gu, Seoul

Founded in 2001 by board-certified dermatologists from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Leaders Dermatology has grown into a trusted network of over 12 clinics across Korea and internationally, with a team of more than 20 dermatologists and 150 medical professionals.
Our doctors are actively involved in global academic circles delivering lectures at renowned conferences and seminars and are dedicated to raising the bar for dermatological care. With a systematic, patient-centered approach, our mission is to become the No.1 dermatology clinic in customer satisfaction through excellence in service and results.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

3.4Km 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)

3.4Km 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.

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