Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

387.38424822278245m 112558 2023-02-22

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.

Samick Fashion Town (삼익패션타운)

391.43535927274644m 17177 2021-06-04

7, Namdaemunsijang 8-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-1566-4578

Located in the heart of the Namdaemun Market, the largest wholesale market in Korea and a popular tourist attraction, Samick Fashion Town is home to over 1,500 shops, spread among 15 floors. Opened in 1985, this giant, one-stop shopping destination offers shoppers virtually everything: from clothing (women’s, men’s, and children’s) and shoes to accessories for wholesale merchants and individual shoppers. The Samick Fashion Town is particularly known for its large children's section on the first floor and its giant shoe mall on the sixth that is unlike any other shoe store in Namdaemun Market. On the ninth floor is the food court and on the first basement level at MBIC Mall, visitors can find character products related to some of their favorite Hallyu stars. Character items include cushions, notebooks, mugs, t-shirts, postcards, stickers, mobile phone screen cleaners, and mechanical pencils featuring the comedians from Muhan Dojeon (Infinity Challenge) and other popular stars.

Miduem Eyewear - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (믿음안경 회현)

397.6418520611222m 0 2024-04-18

33-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Queen Plaza (퀸프라자)

401.6976769428724m 14618 2021-06-19

29, Namdaemunsijang 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-775-8400

Queen Plaza offers diverse items for people of varying ages from children to seniors. Consisting of many shops, it is particularly popular among families. On the third floor, designer clothing and accessories can be found.

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center (장안 액세서리상가)

406.4532686372847m 19702 2021-06-04

42-2, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-753-5600

Jangan Accessory Shopping Center has a history of offering visitors unique accessories with colorful designs. Each shop boasts its own items, different from other stores. Visitors can enjoy purchasing accessories at discounted prices.

Jeongdong Culture Night (정동야행)

406.9358798608019m 15558 2024-04-25

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-4625

Jeongdong Culture Night is dedicated to promoting the history and culture of Jeongdong, a neighborhood in Jung-gu, Seoul. The festival programs allow participants to understand how the history is connected to today's culture and offers an opportunity to view Jeongdong's cultural facilities in a different perspective.

Good Morning Eyewear [Tax Refund Shop] (굿모닝안경)

407.74655947487264m 0 2024-04-22

61, Namdaemunsijang-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Choeun Optical - Hoehyeon Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (조은안경 회현)

408.410216806667m 0 2024-04-22

Joeun Eyewear, 42, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Namdaemun Market Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley) (남대문시장 먹자골목(칼국수 골목))

409.14928697483m 1 2023-11-06

42-1, Namdaemunsijang 4-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

Namdaemun Market is a massive market in Seoul filled with history and traditions. In the market, there is a place where people can dine without worrying about time or money, in an unmistakably Korean atmosphere, and that is the Gourmand Alley (Kalguksu Alley). The alley is lined with stalls selling similar fare, and people sit down in front of them, shoulder to shoulder, to enjoy their meal. Namdaemun Market’s Gourmand Alley specializes in noodle soup and steamed barley rice sets. The latter is a mixture of rice and barley, which is then steamed together. Its call to popularity is the nutty flavor imparted by barley. It has a healthy taste like no other, so make sure to check it out. Each order often comes with two or three separate menus (noodle soup, steamed rice, cold buckwheat noodles, etc.), along with a sumptuous array of side dishes like kimchi. Because this spot is beloved by diners of all ages, one often has to wait to get one’s turn during meal hours or on weekends. Keep in mind that the alley’s age often manifests itself in its crowdedness and lower attention to hygiene.
Another thing to note is that first-time visitors often find it difficult to find the entrance to the alley. The entrance is the transparent plastic door right next to “Segye-ro Eyeglasses Shop,” which can be found right across from Exit 5 of Hoehyeon Station on Seoul Subway Line 4. The door is rather small and difficult to find, but once you enter the doorway, you will immediately see the stalls unfolding in front of your eyes.

TV program “Life Masters (2005-)”
TV program “A Walk Around the Neighborhood (2018-2022)”

Grain De Beaute [Tax Refund Shop] (그랭드보떼)

415.8514106516235m 0 2024-04-19

1F, 34, Namdaemunsijang 6-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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