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

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

1.4Km    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.

YallaKOREA (얄라코리아)

1.4Km    2025-10-23

#700, The Salvation Army Building, 69 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

YallaKOREA is a medical tourism agency specialized in serving Arab patients, providing medical services since 2016 for those wishing to visit plastic surgery and dermatology clinics in Korea. For patients undergoing surgery, it offers customized services including medical interpretation, private transportation, hotel reservations, airport pick-up and drop-off services, and daily tours. With years of experience and a deep understanding of Arab culture, it ensures safe and convenient medical tourism.

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

1.4Km    2025-01-10

24 Sejong-daero 19-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

The Deoksugung Stone Wall Path runs along the wall of Deoksugung Palace. It is beautifully lit and landscaped, giving it a romantic atmosphere even at night. There are street performances and flea markets, and the area boasts many famous cafes and restaurants along Jeongdong street. In autumn, the ginkgo trees and walls form a stunning scene. Close to major cultural facilities such as the Seoul Museum of Art and Seoul Museum of History, it attracts numerous visitors come for a stroll.

Etude house myeongdong chungmuro / 에뛰드하우스(명동충무로점)

Etude house myeongdong chungmuro / 에뛰드하우스(명동충무로점)

1.4Km    2025-08-11

24-1, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-777-1704

Etude House is a cosmetics brand that sells makeup, hair, and fragrance products. The Etude House Myeongdong Chungmuro Branch, located in the heart of a major shopping district, carries a wide selection of cosmetics that customers may test before purchasing. Moreover, the brightly lit store interior, designed with a princess bedroom decor, adds fun to the experience.

It is visited largely by foreign customers from Japan, Thailand, China and other East Asian countries. To facilitate an easy shopping experience, the shop always has foreign staff available to assist. The most popular items include creams made using snail extract, lipsticks and eye shadows. Etude House also has many sales on facial mask packs, and tax refunds are available.

Bank of Korea Money Museum (화폐박물관)

1.4Km    2024-03-18

39 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

This Renaissance-style three-story stone building is the museum of the Bank of Korea. The older Bank of Korea was established as the central bank of the Korean Empire in 1909 and has been designated as a National Historical Site. During the Japanese colonial period, the bank was renamed the Bank of Joseon, and the building was used as the main and head office of the Bank of Korea until 2001. The building has been used as the nation’s Money Museum since June 2001 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bank of Korea. The museum has 13 exhibition rooms on two floors, with one basement floor and two above-ground floors. It holds special exhibitions of various currency and art collections to provide domestic and foreign visitors with the opportunity to enjoy the history and culture of currency. Visitors can learn about the Bank of Korea and the central banking system, as well as how to identify counterfeit notes and how money is produced and circulated. It is also a good place for children to learn about currencies from around the world. Advance reservations are required, and parking is not available. The museum can easily be reached via subway by getting off at Hoehyeon Station (Seoul Subway Line 4) and exiting through Exit 7. 

Migliore - Myeongdong Branch (밀리오레 (명동점))

Migliore - Myeongdong Branch (밀리오레 (명동점))

1.4Km    2025-02-06

115 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Migliore Shopping Mall, located in Myeong-dong, reopened in August 2024 after undergoing remodeling. It provides customers with easy access to its stores, as it is directly connected to the Myeongdong Subway Station (Seoul Subway Line 4). Myeong-dong is regarded as the shopping district for youth in their 20s. Throughout the area, signs are written in English, Chinese, and Japanese for foreign visitors. The first and the second floors function as a shopping mall, and from the 3rd to the 17th floor as a hotel, providing visitors with an opportunity to shop and stay under the same roof. The first floor of the mall features beauty and lifestyle stores and the second floor has clothing stores. This is a one-stop shopping destination for fashion items that will dress you from head to toe. Additionally, visitors can also shop for albums, magazines, and other goods featuring their favorite idols.

Korea Postage Stamp Museum (우표박물관(구.우표문화누리))

Korea Postage Stamp Museum (우표박물관(구.우표문화누리))

1.4Km    2024-03-06

B2, 70, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-6450-5600

The Korea Postage Stamp Museum was established to promote stamp culture. Here, visitors can explore the history of stamps throughout the ages, with a wide variety of subjects and types. Its main facilities include Postal Service History, Hands-on Postage Stamp Experience, Informative Postage Stamps, and Philately Classroom. Reservations are required for weekend tours and can be made on the website.

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 다래나무)

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁 다래나무)

1.4Km    2025-01-13

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3668-2300

Daraenamu Tree in Changdeokgung Palace is estimated to be 600 years old, meaning it had likely been planted before the palace was built. The tree stands 19m in x_height, and has six separate trunks sprawling in all directions. It is the biggest and the oldest in Korea. It is designated and protected as a National Natural Monument.

The Clim Clinic (더끌림산부인과의원)

1.4Km    2025-10-23

(12th Floor, 2431 Building),109 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

For your healthy and beautiful life,
The Clim: Women Care Medical Group is always here for you.

At The Clim, female medical staff from Samsung Medical Center offer one-on-one consultations and personalized treatments.

Our all-female medical team provides emphatic care, understanding our patients better than anyone else.

We always listen to and address your deepest worries with warm-hearted treatment that is attuned to the needs of women, delivered by medical staff who possess both skills and expertise.

Our team consists solely of female obstetrician/gynecologists who have a deep empathy and understanding for their patients, ensuring that each patient feels more comfortable and satisfied with their procedures.
Drawing on our extensive experience, we promise to carefully consider each patient's unique physical structure, characteristics, and concerns, allowing us to effectively address even the most profound worries.

Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

1.5Km    2022-08-11

15, Deoksugung-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-120

Jeongdong Observatory is located on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun building. The observatory has a cafe inside where visitors can enjoy a drink while gazing upon the magnificent view of Deoksugung Palace from above. In addition, the walls of the cafe are decorated with photos of old Jeongdong.