Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

2.2Km 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.

Boylondon - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (보이런던 회현)

2.2Km 2024-04-16

2F, 72, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

-

Choi Sunu House (최순우 옛집)

2.3Km 2021-12-21

9, Seongbuk-ro 15-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3675-3401

The Choi Sunu House is the old residence of Hyegok Choi Sunu (1916-1984), who lived in this house from 1976 until the day he passed away. The house is designated as Korea’s Registered Cultural Property. Choi Sunu was a leading art historian who served as the director of the National Museum of Korea. He devoted his life to rediscovering the beauty of Korean art and made many academic accomplishments in the areas of Korean ceramics, traditional woodcraft, and the history of painting.
The house has been open to the public as the Hyegok Choi Sunu Memorial Hall since 2004. The memorial hall displays Choi Sunu’s relics as a permanent exhibition and holds special exhibitions in the fall as well as cultural programs every spring and fall.

Samseong Bbalgan Yangnyeom Sutbulgui (삼성 빨간양념 숯불구이)

2.3Km 2020-06-16

37, Namdaemun-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-6449

Samseong Bbalgan Yangnyeomg has been famous for its charcoal-grilled dishes since 1972, and is especially well known for its spicy seasoning made from powdered red pepper, garlic, and ginger. Pork is mixed with the seasoning, giving it the characteristic red color and unique flavor, and then grilled over hot coals. This is the perfect restaurant for spicy food-lovers or those looking for a challenge.
Other dishes include jumulleok (marinated pork) and donggeurangttaeng (batter-fried meatballs). Jumulleok is made by seasoning fresh meat, whereas donggeurangttaeng is made by cutting the frozen meat into small pieces, and then marinating it. Older adults usually prefer jumulleok, while the young prefer donggeurangttaeng.

Geumyongmun (금용문)

2.3Km 2021-03-23

7, Saemunan-ro,5 ga-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul
+82-2-731-2502

This is a Chinese (cuisine) located in Gwanghwamun Gate, Seoul. The best menu at this restaurant is dim sum. A restaurant selling authentic Chinese cuisine.

Gwanghwamun Hanokjip (광화문한옥집)

2.3Km 2024-10-15

7, Saemunanro5ga-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul
+82-2-731-2500

A store with rooms reproducing a traditional kitchen. The best menu at this restaurant is napa wraps with pork. This is a Korean cuisine located in Gwanghwamun Gate, Seoul.

Ilpumdang Premium (일품당프리미엄)

2.3Km 2021-04-20

7, Saemunan-ro, 5ga-gil, Jongro-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1899-4949

A shabu-shabu specialty restaurant located in Gwanghwamun Gate, Seoul. A store with rooms. The most famous menu is shabu-shabu.

Hangeureut (한그릇)

2.3Km 2021-03-18

136, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-5613

A store that also serves delicious meat noodles. The best menu at this restaurant is rice soup. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

Rex Hotel (렉스호텔)

2.3Km 2021-03-03

23, Toegye-ro 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-751-3191

Lex Hotel is a suitable accommodation for business trips. It is also great for shopping, due to its convenient location by Namdaemun Market, Seoul Station, and Myeong-dong, as well as Korea's major shopping malls like Lotte and Shinsegae Department Stores. The hotel has 110 rooms, offering a view of downtown Seoul. It is also equipped with convenient amenities and restaurants that are ready to fulfill every guest’s needs. The guestrooms feature a comfortable atmosphere with a simple interior.

Nunnamujip (눈나무집)

2.3Km 2020-06-16

136-1, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-739-6742

Nunnamujip is famous for a North Korean dish called, “Kimchi mari guksu”, which is a noodle dish in cold kimchi soup containing toasted laver, a boiled egg, and sesame. The soup is refreshingly cold and a little spicy. For “Kimchi mari bap”, a bowl of rice is put into cold kimchi soup instead of noodles. The taste is very unique. In addition to Kimchimari, “Tteokgalbi” is a popular dish on the menu as well.

The main restaurant is located in the basement, which has only limited seating capacity with a few tables. As a result, many people usually wait in line for lunch or dinner. A second franchise has opened in a three-story building across the street. To enjoy a quaint atmosphere, the first establishment is better, but the new one’s interior design is much more modern and fancier, giving it a fresh altering look.

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