Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

6.5Km 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 Plaza Ice Skating Rink (서울광장 스케이트장)

6.5Km 2020-04-02

110, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2133-2691

Seoul Plaza was established in 2004, and is located by Seoul City Hall. The plaza is shaped like the full moon. Seoul Plaza hosts a wide array of cultural events including concerts and exhibitions for residents and visitors. The plaza transforms into an outdoor skating rink every winter, a popular attraction in the city.

The facility houses one rink for beginners and one for advanced skaters, and also hosts various events during its operating hours. There are also convenient facilities like skate rental, outdoor rest area, and outdoor standing area for ice skaters and spectators.

Ice skaters at the rink must wear gloves, and the plaza also offers a training program to teach interested individuals how to have fun while skating safely. To learn how to skate, visit the website to register for a training session in advance.

Jogui Hansu (족의한수)

6.5Km 2024-10-15

93-1, Supyo-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2261-0310

A pig's trotter(s) specialty restaurant located in Jongno, Seoul. This restaurant's signature menu is braised pigs' feet. A restaurant serving both charcoal-grilled jokbal (pig's trotter) and spicy jokbal.

Samyang Samgyetang (삼양삼계탕)

6.5Km 2021-03-19

9, Supyo-ro 20-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2275-9968

This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul. Roasted whole chicken is also delicious. The best menu at this restaurant is abalone and ginseng chicken soup.

Jongno Myeongtaedeokjang (종로명태덕장)

6.5Km 2021-03-20

9, Supyo-ro, 20-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9201

A restaurant tucked away in Jongno where you can eat spicy braised fish. This restaurant's signature menu is braised pollack. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Olive Young - Donam Jungang Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 돈암중앙점)

6.5Km 2024-06-26

1F, 118, Dongsomun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

-

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

6.5Km 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)

6.5Km 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.

Happy Jewerly [Tax Refund Shop] (해피쥬얼리)

6.5Km 2024-06-27

1F, #21, 26, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

GS25 - Jongno Korea Natinal Open Unniversity Branch (No. 2) [Tax Refund Shop] (GS25종로방통대2점)

6.5Km 2024-06-27

1F, 78, Ihwajang-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

-

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