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

8.1Km 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)

8.1Km 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.

Etude house myeongdong chungmuro / 에뛰드하우스(명동충무로점)

8.1Km 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)

8.1Km 2024-04-16

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

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Olive Young - Myeongdongdaero Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 명동대로)

8.1Km 2024-04-18

1F, 120, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Kaist Optical Shop [Tax Refund Shop] (카이스트안경)

8.1Km 2024-04-22

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

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The Clim Clinic (더끌림산부인과의원)

8.1Km 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.

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

8.1Km 2024-04-22

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

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Jungmyeongjeon Hall (중명전)

8.1Km 2025-01-09

41-11, Jeongdong-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-752-7525

Located near Deoksugung Palace, Jungmyeongjeon Hall is a red-brick modern Western-style building. It was built in 1899 as the imperial library of the Korean Empire. After Deoksugung Palace caught on fire in 1904, the place became the temporary residence of Emperor Gojong. It also witnessed the tragic part of history in which the infamous Eulsa Treaty (Japan-Korea Protectorate Treaty), an illegal treaty forced by Japan, was signed in 1905. Its exhibition hall serves as a place for historical education.

Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi (옛맛서울불고기)

8.1Km 2024-03-20

57, Myeongdong, 2-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-779-3000

Located in Myeongdong, Yetmat Seoul Bulgogi is a Korean restaurant that specializes in Seoul-style bulgogi. It is a thinly sliced, seasoned beef sirloin cooked in a broth with onions, green onions, and mushrooms. The characteristic of this menu is that the bulgogi is mildly flavored and dipped in soybean paste to suit your taste.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung [MMCA Deoksugung] (국립현대미술관 덕수궁) - Area information - Korea travel information