Seoul Royal Palace Guard Changing Ceremony (서울 왕궁수문장 교대의식)

Dates · Venue

Dates

Jan 1, 2026 (Thu) ~ Dec 31, 2026 (Thu)

Venue

In front of Daehanmun Gate, Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁 대한문 앞)

Address

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 세종대로 99, 정동)

Hours

11:00 / 14:00※ Closed every Monday

Admission

Free

Organizer

Seoul Metropolitan Government (서울특별시)

Age / audience

All ages

Contact phone

02-6242-7402

Dates and fees can change. Check the official website or call before you go.

About the event

The ‘Seoul Royal Palace Guard Changing Ceremony’ is a representative traditional culture reenactment hosted by the City of Seoul. It vividly brings back the changing of the guard of the gate guards who protected the palace gates in the Joseon era. The gate guard commander (sumunjang) was a junior 6th rank official who, together with the chamha officers and gate guards belonging to the Sumunjangcheong (gate guard office), guarded the palace gates, controlled entry and exit, and carried out patrols. The ceremony is based on actual historical records and is set in Deoksugung Palace in the late Joseon era. It is held 6 days a week, every day except Monday, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in front of Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace. To add to the enjoyment of citizens and foreign visitors, various hands-on programs are also offered. The ‘Gaesikta-go Experience’ lets you beat the drum yourself to announce the start of the ceremony, ‘I'm a Gate Guard Too’ lets you wear the gate guard commander's costume and try the role, and the ‘Traditional Costume Experience’ is a popular activity where you can wear Joseon-era clothing and take photos.

Main programs

• Main program: Seoul Royal Palace Guard Changing Ceremony
• Side events and programs: ‘I'm a Gate Guard Too’ experience / ‘Gaesikta-go’ experience / traditional costume experience / ‘Special Day of My Life’ photo experience
• [Details of side events and programs]
• 1. I'm a Gate Guard Too
• Operating period: every Tuesday~Sunday (during the changing ceremony)
• Participants: 1 person per session
• Main content: gate guard role experience / wearing the costume / role training
• Notes: advance registration required / arrive at the waiting room 1 hour before the experience
• 2. Gaesikta-go
• Operating period: every Tuesday~Sunday (during the changing ceremony)
• Participants: 1 person per session
• Main content: drummer (eomgosu) role experience / wearing the costume / role training
• Notes: 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: trying on costumes on site
• Notes: free of charge
• 4. Special Day of My Life
• Operating period: every Tuesday / Wednesday / Friday (10:00, 13:00, 15:00)
• Participants: 1 team per session (up to 5 people)
• Main content: commemorative photo with the gate guard commander / 1 instant photo provided
• Notes: the same person may not apply more than once / photo equipment, costumes, props and makeup are not provided / the gate guards cannot move for photos

How to get there

99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul

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The official data has no public transport details for this event. Please check the route in a map app above.

Photos