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

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

2.6Km    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.

Arko Arts Theater (아르코예술극장)

2.6Km    2021-04-16

7, Daehak-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3668-0007

Opened on April 1, 1981, Arko Arts Theater’s mission statement is to “boost performance art, obtain performance space to promote its popularity among the public, and support stages to pure art organizations facing financial difficulties." As the center of performance art, the theater also began to attract a slew of small theaters and has played a pivotal role in promoting performance art and populating Dongsung-dong with artists. The theater offers a large hall, small hall, multipurpose studio space, and practice room.

Zorro: Actor-Musician(조로: 액터 뮤지션)

2.6Km    2025-05-21

서울특별시 종로구 대학로12길 64 (동숭동)

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회)

2.6Km    2025-04-09

55 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2011-1744~7

Started approximately 1,200 years ago during the Silla dynasty and continued through the Goryeo Yeon Deung Hoe and Joseon lantern festival, the Yeon Deung Hoe Festival is a traditional festival registered as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The lanterns at Yeon Deung Hoe Festival brighten the heart and the world!

Uncles - Daehakro Branch (엉클스 대학로)

2.6Km    2021-03-19

12, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-70-8845-8493

A spicy rice cakes specialty restaurant located in Daehak-ro, Seoul. The most famous menu is stir-fried rice cake. You can choose a variety of toppings.

Yurae hoegwan (유래회관)

2.6Km    2021-03-29

196, Majang-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2293-8866

It is a restaurant where you can enjoy Korean beef sirloin with a tradition of 57 years. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Seongdong-gu, Seoul. The representative menu is grilled sirloin.

G-Cosmo - Itaewon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (지코스모 이태원)

2.6Km    2024-04-23

195, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

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Samhyeongje Jjukkumi - Daehangno Branch (삼형제쭈꾸미 대학로)

2.6Km    2021-03-24

68, Dongsung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-763-1204

This is a restaurant serving jjukumi (webfoot octopus), which has been featured in the gourmet program. This restaurant's signature menu is grilled pork belly. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Samsung Digital Plaza - Wangsimni Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (삼성 디지털 왕십리점)

2.6Km    2024-04-18

217, Gosanja-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul

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Lindapick [Korea Quality] / 린다픽 [한국관광 품질인증]

2.6Km    2024-10-30

26-5, Itaewon-ro 23-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1326-4206

Lindapick is a guesthouse located a five-minute walk from Itaewon Station (line 6). The host of this new guesthouse, open in May 2021, prioritizes cleanliness by washing bedding and disinfect the whole place every time a guest leaves. The CCTVs that are installed outside and at the shared inner space are operated around the clock, strengthening the security. The light-lemon-color exterior walls of the accommodation and the muted-colored rooms are in harmony, forming a fresh and calm atmosphere. The room that can accommodate two persons shows how the host is considerate. A 100% natural aroma diffuser emits peppermint scent that makes guest unwind, and the lavender scent lets guests sleep tight. The kitchen with a refrigerator and a microwave oven is where you can cook a simple dishes, and the air purifier and the washing machine let you enjoy a fresher rest. From the entrance to the room, there is a garden that is decorated as an outdoor terrace, where you can have a leisurely time sunning yourself.