Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony (수문장 교대의식)

– Homepage
www.chf.or.kr: Visit site

– Tel
+82-2-3210-1645

In the Joseon dynasty, the royal guards of the palace were gatekeepers who were responsible for guarding the the main gates of Gyeongbokgung Palace as well as the main gates of the city such as Heunginjimun Gate and Sungnyemun Gate. The royal guards worked in shift duties and were in charge of opening and closing Gwanghwamun Gate. Before the royal guard system was enforced in 1469, the palace gates were protected by soldiers of the central army. The Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony held at Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Gwanghwamun area reenacts the guard-changing procedure that took place during the Joseon dynasty, along with the reproduction of costumes and weapons, based on historical records.

– Address : 161 Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

※ Presentation Information
– Event Date
20250101 ~ 20251231

– Schedule
[Royal Guard Changing Ceremony] 10:00, 14:00 [Ceremony of Guarding Gwanghwamun Gate] 11:00, 13:00 [Public Training of the Royal Guard Soldiers] 09:35, 13:35 * Schedule is subject to change; refer to the official website for details.* Events may be canceled in the case of rain.

– Location
Gyeongbokgung Palace Heungnyemun Gate and Gwanghwamun Gate areas

– Program
Refer to the official website

– Sponsor
Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation

– Sponsor Phone
+82-2-3210-1645

– Fees
Free

◎ Nearby Tourism Infobox

⊙ The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea (국립민속박물관&국립민속박물관 어린이박물관)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
www.nfm.go.kr: Visit site

The Children’s Museum of the National Folk Museum of Korea, located within Gyeongbokgung Palace, showcases artifacts related to Korean traditional culture. This interactive museum allows children to experience and learn about various aspects of Korean traditional clothing, food, society, culture, and games firsthand. Especially catering to children from Asian countries, there is a service for renting items, and reservations are required for admission.

⊙ Boan1942 (보안1942)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
b1942.com: Visit site

Prior to becoming an art space in 2007, Tongui-dong Boan served as a place for rest for travelers from 1942 to 2005. After a short suspension, the place was renovated into a cultural space in 2017 to carry on the historical legacy and provide creative inspiration under the concept of “Boanstay.” 

Boan1942 is divided into a cultural space consisting of a cafe, project workshop, book shop, and exhibition area, and Boanstay on the 3rd and 4th floors that offer temporary lodging services to the cultural nomads. Located in Seochon, the center of culture, history, and convenient traffic in Seoul, Boanstay offers a splendid view of Seoul’s historical and cultural assets such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Cheong Wa Dae, and Seochon Hanok Village.

<Credit: Boanstay>

⊙ Africa Museum of Art (아프리카미술관)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

The Africa Museum of Art was established with the purpose of hosting various art festivals and providing the grounds for researching various art themes. A major principle of the gallery is to promote works of art that actively attempt to explore the human mind.

⊙ Gallery Simon (갤러리 시몬)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
www.gallerysimon.com: Visit site

Since its opening in April, 1994, Gallery Simon has continued to focus on promoting the beauty of modern art. Exhibitions include works from experienced artists as well as the works of budding artists, both from Korea and abroad. Select artists, referred to collectively as “Simon’s Friends,” have exhibitions annually. The changing collections allow the museum and featured artists to constantly strive for improvement and follow the changes in art over time.

⊙ Seochon Village (서촌마을)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

Seochon Village is the name given to the area to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is a historic village, home to old shops and hanok buildings that have stood the test of time. Korean traditions and contemporary sensibilities coexist within Seochon Village’s maze-like alleyways, creating the unique ambience that makes the district so beloved. One can find shops, guesthouses, cafés, and restaurants in the village.

⊙ Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum (이리자 한복전시관)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

The Lee Ri-Ja Hanbok Museum displays the traditional clothing worn in Korea from birth to death. All hanbok displayed at the museum are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja herself, who has over 40 years of experience.

⊙ Pyunkang Yul Flagship & Tea house (편강 율 플래그십&티하우스)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
www.instagram.com/pyunkangyul_teahouse/: Visit site

Pyunkang Yul Flagship & Tea house is a cafe in Bukchon Hanok Village near Gyeongbokgung Palace. The first floor is a teahouse where one can enjoy Korean tea infused with traditional ingredients and delightful desserts with a view of the cafe’s serene garden, and the second floor is a flagship store of Pyeongang Yul, a K-beauty brand known for integrating hanbang (traditional Korean medicine) in their skincare products. The third floor features a rooftop that offers a sweeping view of the Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace.

⊙ Ground Seesaw Seochon (그라운드시소 서촌)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
www.groundseesaw.co.kr: Visit site

Ground Seesaw is a cultural complex located in Seochon, Jongno presented by Media & Art, an exhibition production company, and designed by SoA, an architecture firm, and Loci Studio, a landscaping studio. Visitors are able to check out a variety of exhibits at Ground Seesaw Seochon.

⊙ Daelim Museum (대림미술관)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
www.daelimmuseum.org: Visit site

The Daelim Museum, built by the Daelim Group, was first established in Daejeon in 1996 and later moved to Jongno, Seoul in 2002. The art gallery studies, analyzes, and presents modern art through the lens of photography and holds exhibitions centered around photo media.

The museum is located in the residential area of Tongui-dong, near the time-honored Gyeongbokgung Palace. The museum, which was designed by French architect, Vincent Cornu, and built by the Daelim Corporation, opened its door to the public in late May 2002.

On the first floor, there is a garden, parking lot, reception desk, storage area, and conference room. On the second and third floor are offices and exhibition hall approximately 595 m² in size, consisting of small and large rooms, a long gallery, and a special high-ceilinged exhibition space. On the fourth floor, there is a seminar room that can seat up to 120 guests and a balcony with a beautiful view. From the balcony of the seminar room, Visitors can also enjoy a wide open view of Inwangsan Mountain and Bukhansan Mountain. The stained glass panels (designed to reflect the beauty of traditional Korean wrapping cloth) and the scenic lounges on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building add to the overall charm.

Above all else, the museum was designed with consideration of the photos, which are very sensitive to humidity, light, and temperature.

⊙ Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)

View detailed guide on Korea Trip Guide →

– Homepage
gwanghwamun.seoul.go.kr: Visit site

Built in 1395 under the reign of King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty, Gwanghwamun Gate is the southern gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is also the main gate of the palace, therefore larger and fancier in comparison to the other gates. Gwanghwamun Gate consists of three arched gates; the center gate was used by the king, while the other two were used by the crown prince and royal officials. The tall granite walls of the gate serve as a platform for the wooden gate tower that watches over the city. The gate has a sign with its name written at the top center of the gate tower.

Gwanghwamun Gate went through several damages and restorations over the course of history. It was first severely damaged during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was not restored until the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1864. Under the Japanese administration, the gate was demolished and relocated to the north of the palace’s eastern gate, followed by series of damages during the Korean War (1950-1953). In 1968, Gwanghwamun Gate was relocated back to the south of the palace and was rebuilt using concrete; however, the gate’s position was shifted a few meters away from its original location. In 2006, a major reconstruction project took place to restore Gwanghwamun Gate to its original state and location, disassembling the structure completely and replacing concrete with granite and wood. After three years and eight months of construction, Gwanghwamun Gate was fully restored to its original form and was open to the public on August 15, 2010.