Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

15.0Km 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.

Jingwansa Temple (Seoul) [진관사(서울)]

15.0Km 2025-06-30

73 Jingwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul

Jingwansa Temple is one of the four Buddhist temples that surround Seoul. It was known as the center of Buddhism and academics. Jingwansa Temple is home to a variety of buildings, such as Daeungjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, and Nahanjeon Hall, all surrounded by the beautiful nature of Bukhansan Mountain. In fact, the temple complex is a popular fall destination for its fall colors. Visitors can also visit the nearby Eunpyeong Hanok Village.

Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church or Korea (대한성공회 서울주교좌성당)

15.0Km 2020-03-30

15, Sejong-daero 21-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-6611

Seoul Cathedral Anglican Church of Korea began construction under Mark Trollope, the third bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea, in 1922. It was designed by a English architect Arthor Dixon. Dedication ceremony of the church was held On May 2, 1926 when the construction work hadn't been completed yet. At that time, the church building was a 3-storey building with a 992 m² floor size. Later in 1993, the original blue print of the church was found at a library in England and the construction resumed and would be completed in 1996.

The church building is a harmonious combination of Romanesque and traditional Korean style. The exterior of the church is shaped like a cross with various lines placed in harmony. Inside the cathedral, there are 12 stone columns symbolizing the 12 apostles, a mosaic of Jesus on the front wall, and a brass plate in commemoration of Mark Trollope. Under the brass plate, the remains of the bishop Mark Trollope are enshrined.
* Size: B1-3F
* Building site area: 519㎡ (157 pyeong), Ground area 909㎡ (275 pyeong)

Sungnyemun Imported Goods Shopping Center (숭례문(남대문) 수입상가)

15.0Km 2023-06-13

21, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-779-2951

Sungnyemun Imported Goods Shopping Center consists of two underground floors within the Daehan Hwaje Building (B3F-22F). The building is easy to locate among the low buildings of Namdaemun Market. In addtion to many items, the shopping center is particularly known for its cameras and audio equipment. Main items also include trekking items, household items, electronics, and fishing gear.

Olive Young - CJ THE CENTER Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 씨제이남산더센터)

15.0Km 2024-04-18

12, Sowol-ro 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Bvlgari [Tax Refund Shop] (불가리안경)

15.0Km 2024-06-27

Store #3, 3, Sowol-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Regal Optical [Tax Refund Shop] (리갈안경)

15.0Km 2024-04-19

Store #123, Section Ra-3 of Myeongdong Underground Shopping Center, 2, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Dongwha Duty Free Shop (동화면세점)

15.0Km 2021-06-04

149, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-399-3000

Dongwha Duty Free offers only the world’s best brands for sale. Visitors can shop for the latest popular brands in perfume, cosmetics, accessories, leather goods, and more. Apart from Korean brands and popular imported brands, visitors can also shop for specialty Korean products and folk crafts from all around the world.

Great Shanghai (대상해)

15.0Km 2020-02-07

135, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2171-7869

Great Shanghai is a Chinese restaurant serving deliciously genuine Sichuan and Beijing-style cuisine, located within the Koreana Hotel. Their specialty is shark's fin, directly imported from Sanji, and prepared by the head chef who has over 30 years of experience. Aside from shark's fin, the healthy buldojang, mapadubu and ddanddanmyeon are also top menus. Great Shanghai is decorated with high-quality interior design, and features rooms of various sizes for groups and business dinners.

The Hyooshik Aank Hotel Ilsan Tanhyeon (더휴식 아늑호텔 일산탄현점)

15.0Km 2025-04-24

8-32 Ilhyeon-ro 41beon-gil, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

The hotel offers rooms with diverse themes, such as a Nintendo room offering a fun gaming experience, a music room that evokes nostalgic sentiments with LPs, a movie room where guests can have a cinematic experience, and a golf room allowing guests a golf swing. The hotel rooms are designed to cater to the diverse needs of customers, ensuring a fun and memorable stay.

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