Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

642.7M 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.

CheongKwanJang - Gwanghwamun Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 광화문)

645.3M 2024-04-22

20, Sajik-ro 8-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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Bosingak Belfry (보신각 터)

648.2M 2024-03-04

54, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-2641

Bosingak Belfry is also known as Jonggak. It was the site in which a large bell, used to keep the time in Seoul, was found during the Joseon period (1392-1897). Bosingak Belfry was burned down during the Korean War (1950-1953) and was reconstructed in 1979. The original bell was moved to the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and a new bell was forged in 1985. At midnight, January 1, the bell at the Bosingak Belfry is rung to welcome the new year. Many people gather around the belfry to make a wish for their new year.

National Palace Museum of Korea (국립고궁박물관)

659.9M 2023-03-24

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3701-7500

The National Palace Museum of Korea displays over 40,000 relics from the Joseon dynasty. With various treasures on exhibit, the museum continues to provide information on the dignity of royal culture and the creativity of royal cultural assets.

Gogung Tteurak (고궁뜨락)

659.9M 2020-04-17

12, Hyoja-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-720-0486

Located on the first floor of the National Palace Museum of Korea, Gogung Tteurak consists of a museum shop and a café. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00 during the weekdays and up to 21:00 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It operates without closing days as of January 1, 2017.

CAFE Jongrosijang (CAFE종로시장)

660.9M 2021-03-19

10, Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-1452

It sells American pancakes. The best menu at this restaurant is pancakes. This is a cafe located in Jongno, Seoul.

Jeongdong Guksi (정동국시)

660.1M 2024-06-19

5 Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
02-732-0114

Jeongdong Guksi features a rich soup with a clean taste, created by carefully removing the oil dozens of times while boiling Korean beef bones for 15 hours. The restaurant uses this same beef bone broth in their mandutguk (dumpling soup), something not many restaurants do. The rich flavor of the broth combined with the soft dumplings, made in-house daily, is a must-try. The restaurant is also surrounded by many cultural and artistic spaces, making it a great addition to tours in the area.

Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) (연등회)

664.2M 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!

Mugyodong Geujip (무교동그집)

667.2M 2021-03-18

8, Namdaemun-ro 9-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-319-0075

This Korean cuisine is located near Euljiro 1(il)ga Station, Seoul. The representative menu is assorted savory pancakes. A great store to visit on a rainy day.

Sungkok Art Museum (성곡미술관)

668.8M 2021-02-10

42, Gyeonghuigung-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-7650

Sungkok Art Museum was founded in 1995 by the Korean corporation Ssangyong to promote Korean art. The gallery offers a special exhibition featuring modern artworks of Korean artists, as well as competitions and sponsorships to develop Korean art. In addition to the main building, there is an annex, as well as a tea house and art shop.

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