Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

2.0Km 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.

NANTA(난타)

2.0Km 2025-07-21

26, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Woomiok (우미옥)

2.0Km 2021-03-18

19-21, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-774-6226

A barbecue specialty restaurant located in Myeongdong Cathedral, Seoul. The most famous menu is grilled beef. A restaurant where you can enjoy the highest-quality Korean beef.

KINGKONG Budaejjigae Myeongdong Noon Square(킹콩부대찌개 명동눈스퀘어)

2.0Km 2020-10-30

6F, Noon, Square, , 14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3789-8812

This is a Korean cuisine located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. The representative menu is sausage stew. Budaejjigae (spicy sausage stew) is a soup dish made with various types of ham and Korean broth and sauces.

Thai GARDEN (타이가든)

2.0Km 2021-03-18

14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-3005

This is a Asian restaurant located in Myeong-dong, Seoul. A restaurant where the food is directly prepared and cooked by Thai chefs. The representative menu is pad Thai.

The Masyalla (더마샬라)

2.0Km 2021-03-24

14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-754-8939

Located near Myeongdong, this Indian restaurant is famous among office workers. This Indian (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is chicken curry.

TODAi Myeong-dong(토다이 명동)

2.0Km 2021-07-15

14 Myeongdong-gil Jung-gu Seoul
+82-2-3783-4200

It features more than 250 menu items including seafood, Korean, Western, Chinese, and Japanese dishes. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is buffet.

Charles & Keith - NOON SQUARE Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (찰스앤키스 눈스퀘어)

2.0Km 2024-04-18

2F, 14, Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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