Seoul Royal Palace Changing of the Guard Ceremony
- Tradition & History
99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (Jeong-dong)
Festival dates
D+317Thu, Jan 1, 2026 – Thu, Dec 31, 2026
365 days · Ongoing
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Things to do
- Hours
- 11:00 / 14:00 ※ Closed every Monday
- Venue
- In front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace
- Program
- - Main Program: Seoul Royal Palace Changing of the Guard Ceremony - Supplementary Events & Programs: 'I Am a Royal Guard' Experience / 'Opening Drumming' Experience / Traditional Costume Experience / 'A Special Day in My Life' Filming Experience [Details of Supplementary Events & Programs] 1. I Am a Royal Guard - Operating Period: Every Tuesday to Sunday (during the Changing of the Guard ceremony) - Participants: 1 person per session - Main Content: Role experience as a Royal Guard / Costume wearing / Role training - Remarks: Advance registration required / Arrive at the waiting room 1 hour before the experience 2. Opening Drumming - Operating Period: Every Tuesday to Sunday (during the Changing of the Guard ceremony) - Participants: 1 person per session - Main Content: Role experience as a drummer / Costume wearing / Role training - Remarks: Advance registration required / Arrive at the waiting room 30 minutes before the experience 3. Traditional Costume Experience - Operating Period: Weekends and public holidays 10:30–15:30 - Participants: No limit - Main Content: On-site Costume Wearing Experience - Remarks: Free of charge 4. A Special Day in My Life - Operating Period: Every Tuesday / Wednesday / Friday (10:00, 13:00, 15:00) - Capacity: 1 team per session (up to 5 people) - Main Content: Commemorative photo with the Gatekeeper / 1 instant photo provided - Remarks: Duplicate applications by the same person are not allowed / Photography equipment, costumes, props, and makeup are not provided / Moving Gatekeepers for photography is not permitted
- Admission
- Free
- Contact
- 02-6242-7402
- Website
- Visit
- Source
- Korea Tourism Organization
The ‘Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony in Seoul’ is a representative traditional cultural reenactment event hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, vividly recreating the changing of the guards who protected the palace gates during the Joseon Dynasty. The Sumunjang was a government official of the 6th rank who, along with subordinates from the Sumunjangcheong and the Sumungun, guarded the palace gates, controlled entry and exit, and conducted patrols. The ceremony is structured based on actual historical records and takes place primarily at Deoksugung Palace during the late Joseon period. The event is held six days a week, excluding Mondays, at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace. To enhance the interest of the general public and foreign tourists, various hands-on programs are also offered. These include the ‘Opening Drumming Experience,’ where participants personally beat drums to signal the start of the ceremony; ‘I Am a Sumunjang,’ a program where participants wear Sumunjang attire to experience the role; and the popular ‘Traditional Costume Experience,’ which allows visitors to take photos while wearing Joseon Dynasty clothing.