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)

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.

Olive Young - Myeong-dong Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동역)

1.4Km 2024-04-22

127, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi (충무로 쭈꾸미 불고기)

1.4Km 2024-03-11

11, Toegye-ro 31-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2279-0803

Opened in 1976, Chungmuro Jjukkumi Bulgogi is Michelin-starred restaurant. Their signature dish is jjukkumi (webfoot octopus), which is marinated in hot seasoning using traditional know-how. Grilled over charcoal with pen shells, it offers a perfect dish. The spicy and sweet jjukkumi goes well with the bean sprout soup. When you're done eating, fry up some rice and enjoy a delicious meal.

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.

Innisfree - Myeong-dong Chungmu Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (이니스프리 명동충무)

1.4Km 2024-04-16

28-1, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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EW Spao - Myeong-dong Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (EW 스파오 명동)

1.4Km 2024-04-17

15, Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul

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TUBAn [Tax Refund Shop] (주식회사 투바앤)

1.4Km 2024-04-23

1955, Goyang-daero, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do

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National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] (국립현대미술관 덕수궁)

1.4Km 2023-06-23

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2022-0600

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] was originally built as an annex to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The museum specializes in seeking out and researching modern art, exhibiting and preserving it, supporting and developing educational programs, and furthering publications and international exchanges. Located within Deoksugung Palace, the center maintains a unique traditional atmosphere. The museum planned and showcased a total of 38 unique exhibitions from 1998 to 2005. Besides the exhibitions, the center has various performances such as music and mime, as well as lectures or seminars on artists' works.

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