Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.7Km 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.

Lee Seo-yun Hanbok (이서윤한복)

1.7Km 2020-04-11

7, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-4250

Lee Seo-yun Hanbok seeks hanbok that blends both traditional Korean and western designs. It not only weaves fabrics for its own hanbok, but dyes them as well. The main items cover party dresses, wedding dresses, ornaments, cushions, and sitting cushions. Lee Seo-yun, the owner of the store, was responsible for clothing and ornaments shown in the Korean soap opera, Iljimae and his works have appeared in many soap operas, traditional Korean dance performances and fashion shows as well.

Nammun Tobang (남문토방)

1.7Km 2019-05-07

73-5, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-778-6727

This restaurant offers customers loach soup in Gyeongsang-do style and fried loach. Smoked duck shabu shabu and vegetables, as well as Smoked duck casserole are also a good choice.

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

1.8Km 2021-02-24

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

Daewoo Motel [Korea Quality]대우모텔[한국관광 품질인증]

1.8Km 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.

Appe Seoul (아뻬서울)

1.8Km 2021-03-24

1, Changgyeonggung-ro, 35na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-10-7390-8742

You can eat honey cake that you cannot enjoy anywhere else. This cafe is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is coffee.

Olive Young - City Hall Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 시청역)

1.8Km 2024-04-22

1, Sejong-daero 16-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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

1.8Km 2024-04-18

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

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Donga Stationery (동아완구)

1.8Km 2024-09-11

5 Jong-ro 52-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Donga Stationery is a stationery store located along Changsin-dong Stationery Street. The stop offers a full range of stationery and character goods and is popular among children and adults alike. The shop is located right by Dongdaemun Station (Seoul Subway Line 1), Exit 4, making it easily accessible.

Wangsol Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (왕솔약국)

1.8Km 2024-04-22

36, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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