Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

7.0Km 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.

Perbacco (페르바코)

7.0Km 2024-09-11

30 Neungdong-ro 16-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

Perbacco is a Venetian style pub, better known as a chicchetteria. The pub offers lesser-known Italian snack fare from Venice, with their main dish being cicchetti, flat slices of bread piled with various ingredients, usually focusing on seafood.

Shinsegae Duty Free Shop - Myeong-dong Branch (신세계면세점 명동점)

7.0Km 2017-06-13

77, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Opened in May 2016, the Shinsegae Duty Free Store in Myeong-dong offers culture, tourism, and shopping on the 8-12 floors of the main branch of Shinsegae Department Store. The shops sell famous international brands as well as top Korean brands for a global shopping experience. The store is located nearby popular tourist attractions N Seoul Tower and Namdaemun Traditional Market, making it easy to enjoy tourism and shopping in one location.

Shinsegae Duty Free Shop - Myeong-dong Branch Handicraft Store (신세계면세점 명동점 수공예품 매장)

7.0Km 2016-10-11

77, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Korea Craft and Design Foundation Handicraft Store located within the giftshop of Shinsegae Duty Free Shop Myeong-dong Branch sells handcrafted everyday props and cultural crafts. Dedicated to the concept of "Artisans, and Artists," the store introduces young artists as well as famous handicraft masters along with their masterpieces of diverse genre in the world of Korean arts and craft.

Sungkok Art Museum (성곡미술관)

7.0Km 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.

ROYAL INDIAN RESTAURANT (로얄인디안)

7.0Km 2021-03-29

42, Dongil-ro 22-gil, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-466-8809

This is where a local Mexican chef personally does the cooking. This Indian (cuisine) restaurant is located in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The most famous menu is curry.

Wangsol Pharmacy [Tax Refund Shop] (왕솔약국)

7.0Km 2024-04-22

36, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

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Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁)

7.0Km 2024-10-31

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Registered as a Historic Site, Deoksugung Palace was initially not a royal palace, but the residential home of Grand Prince Wolsan (1454-1488), the older brother of King Seongjong (1469-1494) of the Joseon dynasty. It wasn't until 1593 that the palace was used as a temporary palace of the royal family after their home was burned down during the Imjin War. King Seonjo also stayed at Deoksugung Palace after returning to the city. It became a proper palace when Gwanghaegun (1575-1641) ascended to the throne and gave this royal residence the name Gyeongungung Palace in 1611. Over the following decades, the palace alternated between being an official palace and a temporary residence. The name did not change officially to Deoksugung Palace, meaning the “palace of virtuous longevity,” until 1907. While the palace once encompassed a vast area with many buildings, the current palace grounds are just a small shadow of the prior splendor, with very few structures remaining.

Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

7.0Km 2024-10-30

99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-771-9951

Located near City Hall station, Daehanmun Gate is the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, one of the princiapl five palaces of Joseon Dynasty. The name "Daehan" means wish for eternal prosperity of the Korean Empire. In front of the gate, the Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is held twice daily, along with the reproduction of costumes and style throughout the year.

Common Ground (커먼그라운드)

7.1Km 2024-10-25

200 Achasan-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
+82-2-467-2747

Korea's first pop-up store built with shipping containers, Common Ground is approximately 5,300 square meters in scale, made up of 200 large containers and is capable of transforming into different structures or moving into different places. Mega-sized mainstream brands are hard to spot in Common Ground. Instead, new and trendy mid-sized shops by up-and-coming new designers and editorial shops can be found here.

On the central square of the ground market, a weekend market is held with different themes. In addition, various events such as exhibitions and performances continue to entertain shoppers while playing its role as a cultural space. On the third floor terrace, famous restaurants sprawl along the sides of the alley. If you feel like having a light snack, you can also pop down to the food trucks on the market ground that offers an exotic gastronomic dining experience.

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