Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

9.6Km 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.

Libuk Sonmandu (리북손만두)

9.6Km 2019-08-28

17-13, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-7361

Libuk Sonmandu restaurant is located deep in the alleys behind Seoul City Hall in the Mugyo-dong area. It is famous for kimchimari bap and sonmandu (handmade dumplings). Kimchimaribap is rice in a soup of kimchi and ice cubes with various added flavorings that originated in North Korea. This is a refreshing dish for summer. Other items on the menu are bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and mandu jeongol (dumpling hot pot).

Seoul Gongyesa [Tax Refund Shop] (서울공예사)

9.6Km 2024-04-16

1F, 27-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Gomguksijib (곰국시집)

9.6Km 2016-10-21

24, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-756-3249~50

Gomguksi is a soup consisting of handmade noodles and beef slices in a thick and rich beef broth. Gomguksi became famous through word-of-mouth by tourists from the neighboring country of Japan. These days the restaurant is always crowded with people. Also, the side dishes that accompany Gomguksi are extremely delicious.

Insa-Dong National Souvenir Center (한국관광명품점(인사동))

9.6Km 2020-11-07

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-735-6529

Operated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and Korea Tourism Association, the National Souvenir Center has strict standards for the brands sold, only allowing those which have won various prizes and passed thorough screening. Shoppers can be assured of high quality and high class products.

Banjjak Banjjak Binnaneun (반짝반짝빛나는)

9.6Km 2021-03-19

28-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-4525

A Traditional Beverages specialty restaurant located in Insa-dong, Seoul. A store selling hand-crafted Korean traditional tea. The most famous menu is green plum tea.

Theatre Changdeokgung (창덕궁 소극장)

9.6Km 2021-12-07

88-1, Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-742-7278

Theatre Changdeokgung is located across from Changdeokgung Palace in the Gugak-ro Special Cultural Zone of Seoul. To recreate the traditional Korean entertainment setting and offer a better view of the stage, the theater is designed with floor seatings facing a platform stage. The theater offers a wide array of performances including samulnori (traditional Korean percussion quartet), traditional Korean music, and madanggeuk (a play infused with traditional music and performances). First time visitors often find the creative and cozy experience create a lasting memory of Korean culture and arts. Also nearby the theater are a number of tourist attractions including Changdeokgung Palace, Unhyeongung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine, and Insa-dong.

Olive Young - Mugyodong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 무교동점)

9.6Km 2024-06-26

1F, 24, Mugyo-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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National Souvenirs Center [Tax Refund Shop] (한국관광명품점)

9.6Km 2024-04-23

14, Insadong 5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Gallery Park Young Sook - Atelier Seoul (박영숙요 (아틀리에서울))

9.6Km 2020-04-23

30, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-7837

Gallery Park Young Sook (Atelier Seoul) is the gallery of the modern potter, Park Young Sook. The gallery displays and sells white porcelain representing the Joseon dynasty, Buncheong ware, and ceramics with modern flavors. As the name implies, the gallery feels more like a showroom than a shop, even though the various items, including flower vases, decorative ceramics, and daily use earthenware are for sale. Queen Elizabeth II of England visited Gallery Park Young Sook during her second visit. The gallery has even expanded, with another branch opening in New Jersey.

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