Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.1Km 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.

Gahoe Museum (가회민화박물관)

1.1Km 2024-10-22

52 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-741-0466

Opened in 2002, Gahoe Museum exhibits folk paintings and amulets reflecting the lifestyle and wishes of the Korean people from ancient times. Inside the Hanok gallery, visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of Korea, including old paintings depicting people's lifestyle in the past and religious beliefs, and roof tiles in the shape of humans or goblins. Visitors will also find folding screens and religious objects used in the past that show skills and knowledge of Korean ancestors.

Maratantanmyeon (마라탄탄면)

1.1Km 2021-03-24

49, Myeongdong, 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-70-7762-5858

This is a Chinese restaurant that you cannot experience elsewhere. This Chinese (cuisine) restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is dandan noodles.

DAHMSOJUNG[Korea Quality] / 담소정[한국관광 품질인증/Korea Quality]

1.1Km 2024-06-26

16-2, Bukchon-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
010-3749-9550

Dahmsojung, meaning ‘a house full of laughs’, is a hanok guesthouse that provides sincere services and comfortable relaxation. Located in the middle of Seoul’s city center, this hanok hotel-class guesthouse was built using traditional hanok construction materials including the 200-years-old Korean land pine from Gyeongju, and clay for rooms. The owner originally bought the land to build the residential area for the family, but wishing to promote the charms of the hanok building to foreigners, it was opened as a guesthouse in October 2012. This hanok guesthouse with modern elements is decorated with refined interior items. It provides a special breakfast that consists of steamed rice wrapped in a lotus leaf and tasty side dishes without any artificial seasonings. All the vegetables used for the meals are organic and cultivated by the owner. It also uses refined objects including high quality tableware, bedding (cotton bedclothes with colored stripes), authentic ceramics, lacquered painting by an artisan, and artistic living items. It carries out a cleaning and disinfection process every day as well. In particular, Hinoki cypress with a subtle scent was used for the bathroom. The home bar was installed especially for foreign guests who find it difficult to sit on the floor in the kitchen. These detailed consideration and decorations have attracted many guests including foreign diplomats, VIPs, and so on. It also operates a hands-on programs including ‘calligraphy’ and ‘making a fan’ that are held on the main floored room and are popular among foreign guests. Dahmsojung offers guests sophisticated services and comfortable facilities with a clean and traditional atmosphere that attracts many domestic and foreign guests.

Kaist Optical Shop [Tax Refund Shop] (카이스트안경)

1.1Km 2024-04-22

49, Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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World Jewellery Museum (세계장신구박물관)

1.1Km 2023-09-21

2, Bukchon-ro 5na-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-730-1610

Situated in the gallery district in the back alley of Samcheong-dong (east of Gyeongbokgung Palace), the World Jewellery Museum houses 3,000 jewelry pieces from 60 countries, which have been collected over 30 years. Of which, 1,000 have been selected for display. The first floor contains an Amber Wall that goes back as far as 50 million years, the Golden Hall (El Dorado), the Necklace Hall, and the solemn Alter of the Cross. The second floor holds a mask wall, rings, beads and ivory as well as modern jewelry.

Olens - Myeong-dong Embassy Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (오렌즈 명동대사관점)

1.1Km 2024-04-22

50, Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Woo Lae Oak (우래옥)

1.2Km 2024-03-07

62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2265-0151

Woo Lae Oak is a Pyeongyang naengmyeon (Pyeongyang cold buckwheat noodles) restaurant established in 1949. Its signature dish is the Pyeongyang naengmyeon, known for their clean and light broth. Alongside the onmyeon (warm noodles), they also serve bulgogi, which complements the warm broth perfectly. The restaurant is renowned to the extent that customers often line up to dine, and it was selected for the Michelin Guide 2023.

Yeongyang Center (영양센타)

1.2Km 2021-03-29

52, Myeongdong 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-776-2015

This is a restaurant in Myeong-dong where you can eat old-fashioned whole chicken. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Jung-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is fried chicken.

CheongKwanJang - Jongno 4(sa)-ga Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (정관장 종로4가)

1.2Km 2024-04-22

Gwangnim Bldg., 195, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

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