Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

8.4Km 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.

Hwaro heukdondon (화로흑돈돈)

8.4Km 2021-03-20

34, Donhwamun-ro, 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3675-0191

A place that’s popular among workers for group dinners. This restaurant's signature menu is grilled skin-on pork belly. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Cheongsongok (청송옥)

8.4Km 2024-02-20

14 Seosomun-ro 11-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Cheongsongok is a jangteo gukbap (rice soup) restaurant that opened in 1984. The signature menu is jangteo gukbap, a rice soup with green onions and radishes in beef bone broth. The kimchi served with the gukbap is homemade, known for its spicy flavor and crisp texture. Nearby is Deoksugung Palace, and the Seokjojeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace presents a picturesque landscape harmonized with the garden, making it a popular spot for photography.

Seoul Olympic Parktel (서울올림픽파크텔)

8.4Km 2020-04-25

448, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-410-2514

Nestled in Seoul Olympic Park, Seoul Olympic Parktel aims to offer the best service to all visitors. The many guestrooms and amenities like the banquet hall make the hotel suitable for large gatherings, such as interntional conferences and seminars. The business center and fitness club help make Seoul Olympic Parktel stand out as providing the best service.

Chamchi Maeul (참치마을)

8.4Km 2021-03-22

31, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-1671

This is a restaurant where you can enjoy several parts of tuna. This Japanese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is sliced raw tuna.

Neungnabapsang (능라밥상)

8.4Km 2021-03-22

42, Donhwamun-ro, 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-733-9905

A place where you can taste North Korean traditional dishes run by a chef who was a North Korean defector. This restaurant's signature menu is boiled meat platter. This North Korean cuisine restaurant is located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Chadolbakhin Jjukkumi - Jongro Branch (차돌박힌쭈꾸미 종로)

8.4Km 2021-03-19

47-1, Samil-daero 17-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2648-9163

You can eat jjukumi (webfoot octopus) with cheese fondue. The best menu at this restaurant is stir-fried webfoot octopus. This is a Korean cuisine located in Jongno, Seoul.

KATSUYA (가쯔야)

8.4Km 2021-03-18

46, Dadong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-772-9023

This Japanese cuisine is located near Euljiro 1(il)ga Station, Seoul. The representative menu is pork cutlet. A restaurant serving Japanese-style pork cutlet.

Yutaro - Garak Branch (유타로 가락)

8.4Km 2021-03-29

24, Songpa-daero 28-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-507-1410-4351

It is a traditional Japanese ramen restaurant frequented by many gourmets. This restaurant's signature menu is instant noodles. This Japanese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Yukjeon Hoekwan (역전회관)

8.4Km 2024-03-19

47, Tojeong-ro 37-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
+82-2-703-0019

Located in Mapo, Yukjeon Hoekwan is a Korean restaurant that has been selected for the Michelin Guide Seoul 2023. It has kept its original taste through four generations. The signature dish is the Bassak bulgogi (thin-sliced bulgogi), which is served without soup and has a moist juiciness, tender texture, and not-too-sweet seasoning. Patrons have the option to other dishes including yukhoe bibimbap (beef tartare bibimbap), nakji bokkeum (stir-fried octopus), bossam (kimchi cabbage wraps with pork), and samhap (skate, pork, and kimchi combo). In addition, the handcrafted makgeolli (unrefined rice wine) made in their own brewery is a must-try.

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