Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

8.0Km 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.

HILLS & EUROPA (힐즈앤유로파)

8.0Km 2024-10-29

35 Sinheung-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Haebangchon's Hot Place
Singer Lee Hyori's OTT entertainment program 'Seoul Check-in' was filmed, and you can enjoy the atmosphere of Haebangchon properly. The low wooden ceiling and walls filled with unique objects and LPs from all over the world create a unique and cozy atmosphere. It is always full of customers as you can enjoy great visual cocktails and delicious dishes against the backdrop of various genres of music. During the day, it is good to enjoy coffee and dessert like a cafe. It is famous for its delicious cream caramel pudding, along with coffee that makes use of the taste of coffee beans from each region of origin. There are also various types of signature cocktails, but we recommend the unique visual 'Cigar in a Glass' that Lee Hyori and Park Narae drank.

buddhasbelly Itaewon(부다스벨리 이태원)

8.0Km 2020-12-24

48 Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil Yongsan-gu Seoul
+82-2-796-9330

It is a Thai food specialty store located in Itaewon. This restaurant's signature menu is som tam. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Buddha'sbelly (부다스벨리)

8.0Km 2021-03-29

48, Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-796-9330

It is one of the best spots for a blind date in Itaewon. It is a Thai food specialty store located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is som tam.

Buddhasbelly - Itaewon Branch(부다스벨리 이태원)

8.0Km 2021-04-20

48, Noksapyeong-daero 40-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-796-9330

It is a Thai food specialty store located in Itaewon. This restaurant's signature menu is som tam. This Western dishes restaurant is located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Larva Town (라바타운)

8.0Km 2022-12-23

1, Gyeonghuigung 1-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-4609-6492

Larva Town is divided into areas of three different themes: TUBAn Yard, TUBAn Goods, and Cafe Wingcle. TUBAn Yard greets visitors with animation character Larva dressed up as a gatekeeper from the Joseon dynasty along with other amusing sculptures that serve as excellent props for taking souvenir photos. The yard is open to public, welcoming any passerby to stop by and relax. As for TUBAn Goods, the shop is filled with character merchandise targeted towards consumers of diverse age range. Featured characters include TUBAn's iconic Larva, Dinocore, and Wingcle. After looking around TUBAn Yard and TUBAn Goods, visitors can stop by Cafe Wingcle where they can enjoy a cup of coffee with dessert surrounded by adorable Wingcle and friends.

Daewoo Motel [Korea Quality]대우모텔[한국관광 품질인증]

8.0Km 2023-05-23

22-2, Sejong-daero 14-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-755-8067

Located in Bukchang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, the Daewoo Motel is 10 minutes’ walk from city sights such as Seoul Plaza, Deoksugung Palace and the Myeongdong shopping district. There are also many restaurants within a few minutes’ walk. The motel was remodelled and renovated in 2013, and rooms are equipped with all the usual amenities. A free breakfast plus luggage storage, laundry, and fax/photocopying services are provided.

Geumseonggwan Najugomtang (금성관나주곰탕)

8.0Km 2021-03-18

29, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-7898

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. The representative menu is Naju beef bone soup. It serves local dishes produced from Naju-si, Jeolla-do.

Namdaemun MESA (남대문 메사)

8.0Km 2021-06-30

2, Namdaemunsijang 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2128-7800

MESA's name originates from the Spanish word meaning a flat plateau-like mountain summit at the end of a gentle slope. It was named so as a vision for this family-friendly mall to succeed with no obstacle on its way. MESA is a full-line store situated between Myeong-dong's department store zone and Namdaemun Market. The store opened with the concept of a "global family shopping mall," selling diverse items that suit family households.

TUBAn [Tax Refund Shop] (주식회사 투바앤)

8.0Km 2024-04-23

1955, Goyang-daero, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

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