Deoksugung Palace’s Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

Deoksugung Palace’s Daehanmun Gate (덕수궁 대한문)

– Homepage
https://royal.khs.go.kr/

– Tel
+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.

– Address : 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
– Age Range
All ages

– Parking
Not available

– Day Off
Mondays
* Open if Monday falls on a public holiday and will be closed the next business day instead.

– Operating Hours
[General viewing] 09:00-21:00 (Last admission 20:00)

– Admission Fees
Individuals 1,000 won

* Free admission applies to minors under 19 & senior citizens over 65 with an ID

– Interpretation Services Offered
Guided tours available; check the official website for details

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ Deoksugung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (덕수궁 왕궁수문장교대의식)

– Homepage
royal.khs.go.kr/dsg
www.royalguard.kr

– Tel
• 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.

⊙ Jeongdong Observatory (정동전망대)

– Tel
+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.

⊙ Seoul Plaza (서울광장)

– Homepage
plaza.seoul.go.kr

– Tel
+82-2-2133-5640

Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall is a historic site where the March 1, 1919 (Samil) Independence Movement and the pro-democracy movement in June 1987 were held. It is also a well-known place where tens of thousands of Korean soccer fans gathered together to watch the 2002 World Cup Games. Being located within the center of the city and surrounded by many historic attractions, including Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza has become a representative attraction of Seoul.

⊙ K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final (K-POP 커버댄스 페스티벌 월드 파이널)

– Tel
+82-2-2000-9324

The K-Pop Cover Dance Festival World Final brings together K-pop fans from around the world, offering them a chance to become the main stars on stage. Going beyond just dance, the festival provides a platform where K-pop fans worldwide can share their culture, build a global network, express their passion through dance, and connect the entire world through Korean culture and K-pop.

⊙ Olive Young – City Hall Station Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 시청역)

– Homepage
www.oliveyoung.co.kr

–

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

– Homepage
www.mmca.go.kr

– Tel
+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.

⊙ Dalgaebi (달개비)

– Homepage
www.dalgaebi.com (Korean only)

– Tel
+82-82-2-765-2035, 2068

Dalgaebi is a restaurant specializing in Korean table d’hote, using fresh seasonal ingredients. Its flagship menu is the teukseon sangcharim jeongsik (special set menu), which includes porridge, seasonal dishes, main courses, and desserts. The galbi sangcharim (galbi course), featuring premium Korean beef galbi grilled over charcoal and served with soybean paste jjigae, is also popular. Known for its private dining spaces and upscale ambiance, reservations can be made via phone.

⊙ Deoksugung Stone Wall Path (덕수궁 돌담길)

– Homepage
https://royal.khs.go.kr/

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.